The calibration flight for the next generation Mode S Monopulse Secondary Surveillance Radar (MSSR) system installed at Bhatte Danda in Lalitpur has been scheduled to begin from tomorrow (Nov 18) which will execute till November 20. Previously, it was scheduled to happen from 16 to 18 November but the delay in arrival of aircraft from FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) pushed up the date.
Three private jets landed at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) yesterday which are Cessna 510 Citation Mustang with registration ‘D-IJHO’, Piper PA-31T ‘D-INFO’ and Socata TBM-900 ‘D-FSBG’. The calibration flight of MSSR at Bhatte Danda could be operated through these aircraft however; it is not official.
NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) will be issued at the time of inspection flight in which the airline operators and flight crews must prepare themselves for the flight delays as the airport will not shut down completely.
Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has requested every airline operators and passengers to stay informed about the possible flight delays to be caused due to the flight inspection of MSSR from Nov 18 to Nov 20. CAAN has requested everyone to provide essential assistance in this period and has apologized for any inconvenience to be caused.
The new radar system installed at Bhatte Danda worth 1 Billion of Nepalese Currency will come into operation after the successful calibration flight.
The new Mode S Monopulse Secondary Surveillance Radar (MSSR) can monitor the aircraft up to 200 nautical miles. Its range reaches extending up to Dang in the west, and covers up the aerospace of entire eastern, northern and southern parts of the country whereas, the current existing 18 years old outdated radar’s range can only reach up to 60 nautical miles.
