30 September 2014
Brighton City Airport has announced an upgrade to the airport’s instrument approach procedures (IAPs) that will benefit the airport’s users and neighbours.
Working with Cyrrus Ltd, a UK-based air traffic management consultancy, the operators have invested in systems to ensure that the airport implements the latest technology available. The IAP upgrade means that suitably-equipped aircraft will be able to operate more effectively in reduced visibility conditions and in the event of a low cloud ceiling.
According to a release from Brighton City Airport, the instrument approach upgrade provides lower weather minima, resulting in less chance of diversions and inconvenience to passengers and crew. The upgrade will further enhance airport safety, as approaches to land can be made more accurately in periods of poor weather. Furthermore, the users should see a reduction in aircraft fuel consumption, owing to continuous descent approaches (CDAs) being available to pilots through use of the new systems.
The airport operator reports that another benefit of the IAP upgrade will ensure less disturbance to people living under the airport approach areas, as aircraft will be flying a more accurate track over the current approach paths and, in the case of those using CDAs, initiating an approach to the airport from a greater height above ground level.
‘I am very pleased to see these new approach procedures coming in because even in the last year, I’ve had to divert a number of times to another airport and each time it costs several hundred pounds in transport home and then back to retrieve the aircraft, plus landing and parking charges. This system upgrade will greatly improve the value of operations at the airport’, says Peter Holy, a private pilot based at Brighton City Airport.
James Latham, senior air traffic control officer at Brighton City Airport says, ‘Most new aircraft are fitted with modern navigation systems capable of flying satellite-based approaches and many older aircraft can be upgraded too. European funding initiatives are available to users considering an upgrade and we recommend interested individuals speak to their maintenance provider.’
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