Pakistan Testing Sri Lanka's New International Airport

[Lankan Ranger]

Pakistan Testing Sri Lanka's New International Airport

Sri Lanka hopes to start the commercial operation of its second international Airport at Mattala early next year. Mr. Prasanna Wickremasuriya, Chairman Airport and Aviation Sri Lanka Ltd told Information Department website that the construction work of the Mattala International Airport in the Hambantota district would be completed at the end of the year and its commercial operation will be launched early January 2013.

The Mattala Airport had its first ever test landing this morning. The Super king 20, Test Aircraft belongs to Pakistan Civil Aviation Department with dual engine was successfully landed on the new runner way.

“It was highly successful as the test aircraft equipped with testing equipment to test all new installation carried out the necessary test of all the equipment and reported they were in order” said Chairman Mr. Wickremasuriya.

This dual engine test Aircraft called Beach aircraft at its preliminary landing was piloted by Pakistani pilot and they would continue their test landing and other logistic checking continuously for a week as well said the chairman Wickremasuriya.

Construction work of the Mattala International Airport is being handled by a Chinese firm while the testing of the equipment is being carried out by the Pakistani Civil Aviation Authority.

Chairman Airport Aviation Authority describing the Pakistani involvement said that Pakistan was the best option with expertise to handles this type of operations in the region.

Sri Lanka new international Airport launches test landing to begin commercial operation in January.

 

[HeinzG]

great work!

 

[Jango]

Looks like this virus has slowly infected Sri Lanka.

A Beechraft testing a runway for an int'l airport expected to handle 777 category A/C?

Remember how Ahmed Mukhtar did this ploy for the runway of New Isl airport? As if he had conquered Kashmir!!! Absolutely useless ploy just to get some publicity. What does a Beechcraft landing prove exactly? Test equipment my foot.

But good to know that Sri Lanka is making progress on a new Int'l airport.

 

[Secur]

Good Luck and Goodsped !

I hope to visit Sri Lanka soon as there is no visa required and friendly Sinhalese to make things easier !

 

[Thorough Pro]

Looks like this virus has slowly infected Sri Lanka.

A Beechraft testing a runway for an int'l airport expected to handle 777 category A/C?

Remember how Ahmed Mukhtar did this ploy for the runway of New Isl airport? As if he had conquered Kashmir!!! Absolutely useless ploy just to get some publicity. What does a Beechcraft landing prove exactly? Test equipment my foot.

But good to know that Sri Lanka is making progress on a new Int'l airport.

Are you an expert in making or testing runways?

 

[Jango]

Are you an expert in making or testing runways?

No. I am not. Nor am i claiming to be.

And your point is...?

 

[Secur]

No. I am not. Nor am i claiming to be.

And your point is...?

They are merely testing/validating the runways which I am sure isn't child's play and very difficult for countries like Sri Lanka who have no previous experience ...

Besides ,

This dual engine test Aircraft called Beach aircraft at its preliminary landing was piloted by Pakistani pilot and they would continue their test landing and other logistic checking continuously for a week as well said the chairman Wickremasuriya.

 

[airmarshal]

Looks like this virus has slowly infected Sri Lanka.

A Beechraft testing a runway for an int'l airport expected to handle 777 category A/C?

Remember how Ahmed Mukhtar did this ploy for the runway of New Isl airport? As if he had conquered Kashmir!!! Absolutely useless ploy just to get some publicity. What does a Beechcraft landing prove exactly? Test equipment my foot.

But good to know that Sri Lanka is making progress on a new Int'l airport.

testing runway is one thing and landing commercial jets quite another. It sounds logical to use a light aircraft to test the landing strip and equipment than use an Airbus 380 right away!

 

[Jango]

They are merely testing/validating the runways which I am sure isn't child's play and very difficult for countries like Sri Lanka who have no previous experience ...

Besides ,

Validating runway? What do you mean by that? And testing exactly what? Runway capacity? Runway loading? PCN?

Anyways, let's not de-rail the thread, it is for Sri Lankas achievement.

Once again, congrats to Sri Lanka!

 

[Thorough Pro]

No. I am not. Nor am i claiming to be.

And your point is...?

Wise men say if you don't know about something then you should keep quite. An idiot does not get discovered from his looks..................

 

[Thorough Pro]

Validating runway? What do you mean by that? And testing exactly what? Runway capacity? Runway loading? PCN?

Anyways, let's not de-rail the thread, it is for Sri Lankas achievement.

Once again, congrats to Sri Lanka!

There is a lot of equipment installed on modern airports to guide/direct the pilot/airplane on the right runway, right location for landing and take off during extreme conditions when visibility is very low.

That equipment needs to be tested. For testing that newly installed equipment you do not risk a multi million dollare Boeing 777, instead you install the testing equipment on a smaller plane (which can land with out the equipment if that does not work) and test that before airport becomes operatinal.

This should not be confused with testing the "runway surface".

 

[Secur]

Validating runway? What do you mean by that? And testing exactly what? Runway capacity? Runway loading? PCN?

I admit that I know little about these things but still neither the Sri Lankans nor Pakistanis are fool enough to do such a thing and publicize in the media Thank you !

 

[khail007]

Looks like this virus has slowly infected Sri Lanka.

A Beechraft testing a runway for an int'l airport expected to handle 777 category A/C?

Remember how Ahmed Mukhtar did this ploy for the runway of New Isl airport? As if he had conquered Kashmir!!! Absolutely useless ploy just to get some publicity. What does a Beechcraft landing prove exactly? Test equipment my foot.

But good to know that Sri Lanka is making progress on a new Int'l airport.

This is purely a technical matter and nothing to do with anything else. CAA's Beechcraft is actually a calibration aircraft which tests and calibrate the instruments/equipment installed on airport according to the specs of the manufacturer. Previously CAA was also involve in calibrating the Sharjah-UAE airport.

In aviation, anything which involves in measuring is subject to calibration and got a shelf-life. I could see only purpose of this test to verify the parameters, it has nothing to do with the landing of a cessna, Boeing 777 or A380.

 

[Jango]

I am well aware of the various systems installed to assist IFR approach, and associated stuff.

I distinctly remember that when the plane with Ahmed Mukhtar landed at the new Isl airport, it was written that the runway is being tested (as in runway surface). A guy I know who is involved in a capacity with the project, did actually term it as 'shosha' and 'awayin fazool karwayi'.

So if testing the Instrument Landing systems (ILS), it is perfectly understandable. But testing runway surface, it is BS.

it has nothing to do with the landing of a cessna, Boeing 777 or A380.

You'll be surprised to know what some folks think!!!

 

[Blackpearl]

OK let me add here, The Beach 200 aircraft held with CAA Pakistan is a very special kind of aircraft. it is equipped with runway/approach calibration equipment. All modern airports are equipped with ILS (Instrument Landing System) which comprises Marker beacons, PAPI (Precision Approach Path Indicators) or VASI (Visual Approach Slope Indicator), Glideslope and localizer beam transmitters. Now once these system are new installed (and subsequently after regular intervals) are calibrated by a standard equipment, which may be fitted in a suitable aircraft. You need not to land a 777 to check if really a 777 may land or not.
All aircarft manufacturers gives performance parameters (like runway length required for takeoff and landing) thus runways are constructed keeping in view, which type of aircraft is to be handled. Then runway load bearing capacity is checked by matching it against PCN (Pavement classification number).
This beach craft may check if all the equipment are correctly working or not. In simple terms, This special beachcraft may be among the few aircraft in the world which is not taking any help from approach system rather it is checking the system. there is so much available on net on this subj one just need to browse.