It's curtains for the 10th edition of Aero India today at Air Force Station Yelahanka. Among the unsung heroes, who have stayed far away from the limelight, the Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower team have played a silent, yet critical role.
With the number of participants at the flying display sharply increasing during every show, the role of the ATC has doubled and their responsibilities becoming more vital.
At AFS Yelahanka, the Flight Display Control cabin is positioned at a specially-erected cabin. A highly-qualified team from the Aircraft Systems & Testing Establishment (ASTE), one of the premier institutions of the Indian Air Force (IAF), keeps a hawk-like vigil on all proceedings.
Their primary job is to ensure that the displays remain flawless, and more importantly, safe. "There's no scope for any error. The show has to go exactly as per the plan. Nothing more, nothing less," says an official.
According to Group Capt T K Singha, Chief PRO, Ministry of Defence (MoD), Kolkata, contrary to belief it is not the ATC controller who orchestrates the aerial choreography.
"But it is done by a small team comprising a few pilots and sharp-eyed air warriors among others. The controller at the ATC tower regulates the movement of all aircraft taking off, landing or operating over the airfield," says Singha.
To ensure this, proper pre-flight briefings are held every day. At the end of the display, proper debriefs are also held.
22/02/15 One India
With the number of participants at the flying display sharply increasing during every show, the role of the ATC has doubled and their responsibilities becoming more vital.
At AFS Yelahanka, the Flight Display Control cabin is positioned at a specially-erected cabin. A highly-qualified team from the Aircraft Systems & Testing Establishment (ASTE), one of the premier institutions of the Indian Air Force (IAF), keeps a hawk-like vigil on all proceedings.
Their primary job is to ensure that the displays remain flawless, and more importantly, safe. "There's no scope for any error. The show has to go exactly as per the plan. Nothing more, nothing less," says an official.
According to Group Capt T K Singha, Chief PRO, Ministry of Defence (MoD), Kolkata, contrary to belief it is not the ATC controller who orchestrates the aerial choreography.
"But it is done by a small team comprising a few pilots and sharp-eyed air warriors among others. The controller at the ATC tower regulates the movement of all aircraft taking off, landing or operating over the airfield," says Singha.
To ensure this, proper pre-flight briefings are held every day. At the end of the display, proper debriefs are also held.
22/02/15 One India
No comments:
Post a Comment