The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Mixed feedback on new air navigation system

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Tuesday, Nov 03, 2009
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Mixed feedback on new air navigation system

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: Air Traffic Controllers have received mixed feedback from pilots on the Performance Based Navigation (PBN) system, introduced 10 days ago.

Sources at the Chennai Air Traffic Control Tower said most of the pilots had been trained in the new system. One of the important advantages was that it had reduced considerably the time spent on communication with airlines about the arrival and departure of flights.

In some of the aircraft the equipment to synchronise with the PBN system was not available and so the pilots were not in a position to follow the Standard Arrival Route and Standard Instrument Departure procedures. The Air Traffic Controllers had to spend more time for these aircraft, the sources said.

It would be critical during peak hours as the controllers had to allow these aircraft first and then allow the departure of the aircraft having the facility.

The sources said the new system had resulted in increased travel distance for the aircraft as compared to tactical vectoring done earlier by the controllers.

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