Operations

Aena translates aeronautical publications

Aena translates aeronautical publications

Aena, the Spanish airport operator and air navigation service provider, has a Documentation and Publications Centre (CDP) that provides readers, whether they are familiar with aeronautics or not, with various book collections that approach the fascinating world of air transport, its history, technology, development, as well as other sciences and activities related to this sector.

ICAO’s Task Force seeking runway friction harmonisation

The International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) Friction Task Force is currently applying the finishing touches to revising the global provisions on runway surface friction measurement and reporting. Ryan Ghee spoke to Joseph Cheong, technical officer, Aerodromes Section, Air Navigation Bureau, ICAO.

Winter services and wildlife management

Winter services and the detection of Foreign Object Debris (FOD) are two critical areas of airport operation and following the harsh weather conditions that were experienced across much of Europe last winter, the planning process is already well underway for the 2010/2011 winter season. Ryan Ghee reports.

Radar technology dramatically improves runway debris detection

Two of the most dramatic aviation incidents in recent years have highlighted the dangers posed to airlines by bird strikes and runway debris. The Concorde tragedy of 2000 in which 113 passengers were killed, was caused by a titanium strip, no larger than a school ruler, which lay undetected on the runway. This strip burst Concorde’s rear tyres, fragments of which subsequently punctured the aircraft’s fuel tank causing a catastrophic explosion.

Ciudad Real welcomes Ryanair’s first service from London Stansted

Since opening to commercial traffic in December 2008, Spain’s Aeropuerto Central Ciudad Real has, until recently, welcomed only domestic scheduled services operated by a mixture of Air Nostrum (on behalf of Iberia) and airberlin.