The Hindu : National : IAF circular puts operators in piquant situation

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Thursday, Jun 22, 2006

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National

IAF circular puts operators in piquant situation

T.S. Shankar

CHENNAI : An Indian Air Force circular issued for all defence-controlled aerodromes has put civil airline operators in a piquant situation.

The May 18 circular, issued by Squadron Commander Wg.Cdr. S.K. Dhyani, is said to be in violation of two major safety clauses. One refers to passenger-window shutters. The civil aviation requirement is that window shades be kept open for all takeoffs and landings, so that the crew can identify the location of a fire in case of crash-landing. If the shutters are closed, passengers will face the danger of being evacuated into a live fire.

The second clause pertains to the fire-fighting category of the airfield. For all jet operations, the International Civil Aviation Organisation requires a minimum fire-fighting category. The circular mentions that the required fire-fighting category may not be available as their priority is only for Air Force planes and not for civil aircraft.

On the Pune airfield the entire central section of the length of the runway is sprayed with resin coating to prevent damage of the surface by the exhaust from fighter aircraft. As rubber deposits increase with every takeoff and landing, this surface when it becomes wet during rain will prove dangerous.

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