FAA to undergo test of New Radar System installed at Bhatte Danda
May 2, 2017-TIA
Eventually, after one years of long run, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has finally set a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the United States for the commissioning of test flights inspection on a newly installed new generation radar system at Bhatte Danda, located in Lalitpur.
CAAN had appealed for global bids to carry out flight inspection of Mode S Monopulse Secondary Surveillance Radar (MSSR) which required aircraft of Flight level 410, which can track flight up to 250 nautical miles. After successful conduction of test, the radar is anticipated to come in operation.
Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) and companies from New Zealand, United Kingdom and South Korea had presented their interest between which FAA proposed the minimum charge for the aircraft service which is one crore and five lakhs. In spite of issuing global tender twice CAAN had not receive any single bid which compels CAAN to set sign MOU agreement with the FAA.
According to the Mr. Sanjiv Gautam, director general of CAAN all the necessary documentations process are started and submitted to the Foreign and Finance ministries for the necessity approval. The team from FAA’s regional office in New Delhi had come to Nepal to sign the MOU but they were back without making any agreement because US Embassy for Nepal wanted the Nepal’s Government approval first.
Mr. Gautam, also noted that after the commissioning of flights inspection they have planned to operate the new radar before monsoon.
Likewise, CAAN has also confirmed that the minimum safe altitude system installed in Bhatte Danda will be requiring calibration which is the most crucial topic for the operation of the Radar system and FAA is ready to provide that service too.
The radar was completed in July 2016 after four years of work. The project was funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) as part of the broader Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) modernization project.
As per the report, the 18 years old ill-fated RADAR gave lots of trouble to air traffic controllers with extra burden along with high attention and passengers with tiring flight delays which now is likely to replace by the new generation radar system of Bhatte Danda.
In addition, the radars give the luxury to fetch information about flight movement, landing and takeoff, current weather update, aircraft identity and altitude level.
