Date:24/01/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/01/24/stories/2007012416680900.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

New flight departure procedure introduced

Staff Reporter

CHENNAI: A new Standard Instrument Departure procedure has been introduced at the Chennai airport.

It will help to overcome inter-unit coordination problems and ensure that the departing aircraft are cleared to their destination with the least conflict with the arriving ones, say personnel of the Airports Authority of India. K. Ramalingam, Southern Regional Executive Director, AAI, said that before the introduction of the procedure, the Air Traffic Controller had to orally give instruction to the pilot at the time of take-off and landing.

The procedure consists of a set of pre-determined manoeuvres programmed into the flight management system of the aircraft.

The procedures have abbreviated names, which will be issued to the pilot even before the start-up of an aircraft.

The new system would also reduce the communication congestion, Mr. Ramalingam said.

Similarly, the new procedure would also help in reducing stress both for the Air Traffic Controller and the pilot. The procedure, in operation since January 18, has been published in the Aeronautical Information Publication.