Choppers can fly unmonitored in Indian airspace if pilots choose not to alert the air traffic control (ATC). The incident on Saturday, when a Global Vectra Helicorp Ltd (GVHL) helicopter landed at Ratnagiri without notifying anyone and triggering an air alert, has exposed the deficiency in monitoring flights, which fly at a low altitude.
While most countries, like the US, the UK and even Australia use automatic dependent system broadcast (ADSB) to monitor all aircraft flying at low altitudes, Indian aviation authorities haven't woken up to the security threat despite a suggestion from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Officials said that most helicopters flying between 500 feet and 700 feet would not show up on the radar at Mumbai airport. " The ATC tower can detect aircraft flying above a certain level depending upon the obstacles in each direction," a senior airport official said.
He added, "Hence, when it comes to helicopter operations, controllers have to rely on information given by the pilot. There is no way to monitor the aircraft at that level." Hence, when the GVHL aircraft pilot chose to land in Ratnagiri, no one knew of the deviation he had taken. In India, 99% of helicopters do not show up on the radar and can fly unmonitored, if the pilot chooses to do so.
"The pilot was supposed to relay the information to the closest control tower. If no tower was accessible, he should have notified the change in his position as soon as he came in touch with the tower," an ATC official saidCaptain Mohan Ranganathan, an air safety expert, said, "Airports must have an automatic system for tracking helicopters. It is easy for helicopters to land anywhere and pick up or drop people or material. This can be dangerous if unmonitored."
Source : Times Of India
While most countries, like the US, the UK and even Australia use automatic dependent system broadcast (ADSB) to monitor all aircraft flying at low altitudes, Indian aviation authorities haven't woken up to the security threat despite a suggestion from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Officials said that most helicopters flying between 500 feet and 700 feet would not show up on the radar at Mumbai airport. " The ATC tower can detect aircraft flying above a certain level depending upon the obstacles in each direction," a senior airport official said.
He added, "Hence, when it comes to helicopter operations, controllers have to rely on information given by the pilot. There is no way to monitor the aircraft at that level." Hence, when the GVHL aircraft pilot chose to land in Ratnagiri, no one knew of the deviation he had taken. In India, 99% of helicopters do not show up on the radar and can fly unmonitored, if the pilot chooses to do so.
"The pilot was supposed to relay the information to the closest control tower. If no tower was accessible, he should have notified the change in his position as soon as he came in touch with the tower," an ATC official saidCaptain Mohan Ranganathan, an air safety expert, said, "Airports must have an automatic system for tracking helicopters. It is easy for helicopters to land anywhere and pick up or drop people or material. This can be dangerous if unmonitored."
Source : Times Of India
