Role of Avionics in Air Safety

Abstract

Today approach and landing traffic is regular and safe despite occasional accidents which rather seldom are caused by technical deficiencies. Nevertheless avionics equipments which enables aircraft to communicate, to navigate and to be identified is in continuous process of development so as to achieve maximum air safety. This article presents contribution of avionics to air safety. At the outset, various possible reasons are listed for aircraft accidents. Amongst various possibilities for air accidents, one particular aspect of aviation safety, viz, avionics has been chosen as the subject of this article. Thereafter various avionics equipments presently in use at Indian airports as well as abroad and also aboard the aircraft have been dealt under three segments: communication systems, ground-based navigation systems and airborne navigation systems. Wherever possible, latest innovations have been cited. In concluding remarks, future trends in avionics with reference to aviation safety have been mentioned. The principal idea of this presentation is to project to the reader how the groundna vigational aids/communication systems/airborne navigation systems help to regulate air traffic services in all weather conditions and thus contribute to air safety.

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Notes on contributors

H. V. Sudarshan

SUDARSHAN, H.V. (b. 6 June 1947).

He graduated with B.Sc. (Special) and B E. Degrees in 1967 and 1970 respectively from Osmania University, Hyderabad. He was Research Assistant in DLRL, Hyderabad till September 1972 when he joined Department of Civil Aviation as Technical Officer at Bombay Airport. As Senior Technical Officer from November 1974, he was Incharge of Radar Systems at Bombay Airport. He received his Diploma in Systems Management from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies in 1977. Since January 1979, he is attached to the Headquarters of Civil Aviation Department as Assistant Director. His current interest is in Application of operations research to the maintenance management of navigational aids/radar systems.