TIA gives the nod to constant descent approach system

SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, APR 21 -

Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) has implemented the constant descent approach (CDA) system for aircraft, scrapping the 13-year-old non-precision approach (NOPEN) as per the recommendation of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Marking a major reform at the country’s only international airport, CDA allows big aircraft to make a smooth, constant-angle descent during the landing approach. Instead of approaching an airport in a stair-step fashion, CDA starts ideally from the top of the descent. Aviation experts said that the revised system would also benefit areas close to the airport as it reduces noise pollution. “The system has been revised in line with the regular upgrade of the country’s international airport as per the standards set by ICAO,” said Kishore Thapa, secretary at the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation. He added that the new approach system would be more efficient and safer.

NOPEN known as the “dive and drive” approach has been revised after the ICAO group of experts’ findings recommended that the non-precision approach was riskier. ICAO had asked all the airports to implement CDA. “The new procedure is safer,” said Nepal Airlines Corporation Captain Sharwan Rijal.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) had revised the aircraft approach procedure on March 4. “After the implementation of CDA, we have seen that one steep descent is safer than the traditional ‘dive and drive’ approach,” said Rijal.

Implementation of CDA has drawn reservations from some international airlines. Pilots are required to take training to familiarize themselves with the new system. Qatar Airways had objected to CDA and written to CAAN saying that the high rate of descent was not practicable. “However, the airline has now been following the revised approach system,” an airline source said. According to the Economic Times, Air India pilots had decided not to operate flights to Kathmandu citing that the airline had

not given them system familiarization training after the revision of the approach system at TIA.

“Alleging that there had been no familiarisation training for approach and go around procedures which have been revised for Kathmandu airport, the pilot’s union, Indian Commercial Pilots Association, has asked its members not undertake flights to Nepal’s capital,” writes the Economic Times. As per the company training manual, pilots have to undergo familiarisation training in an Airbus 320 or Airbus 330 simulator. Rijal said it was difficult to adapt to the new rules immediately. “Training is necessary before executing the new approach. Now, a majority of the airlines are comfortable with it,” added Rijal.