<p>In a major initiative in the aviation sector, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) has commissioned a specialized Disabled Aircraft Recovery Kit (DARK) - becoming the first airport in Asia to have such a facility. </p><p>The DARK facility has high-pressure lifting bags that ensure superior durability, require minimal manpower, and provide a more efficient recovery process, in contrast to conventional low-pressure counterparts.</p><p>“Runway excursion”, a scenario where an aircraft unintentionally veers off or overruns the runway during take-off or landing, is a critical concern in aviation. </p><p>It requires swift and meticulous intervention to ensure the safety of passengers, aircraft, and airport operations. </p><p>“DARK, a remarkable addition to CSMIA's infrastructure, empowers the airport to respond to such scenarios with unparalleled precision and efficiency, hence minimizing disruptions and reducing the impact on travellers,” a CSMIA spokesperson said on Monday. </p><p>Operating with a single crossover runway, CSMIA can use the DARK facility with a high pressure kit to the best of its capabilities for faster movement and deployment, restoring runway operations while protecting the aircraft.</p><p>DARK has the ability to swiftly recover the biggest commercial aircraft in operations in the world, including B777-300, which weighs 390 Metric tons. The kit would cater for the most demanding and critical aircraft which regularly operate from Mumbai.</p><p>The recovery process encompasses a meticulous sequence of steps, from ground preparation to aircraft lifting, de-bogging, and towing. Furthermore, the compact design of the equipment enhances its transportability, allowing rescuers to reach crash sites swiftly and effectively. </p><p>With DARK in place, CSMIA can minimize disruptions and expedite the resumption of operations, a crucial advantage in today's dynamic aviation landscape. The kit allows for business continuity and resilience of other airports as well.</p><p>This sophisticated kit can be operated with comparatively fewer trained personnel, the bags occupy a smaller footprint, and recovery operation 4x faster than low-pressure bag system.</p><p>CSMIA’s highly trained Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) officers underwent an intensive five-day training program that covered legal aspects, tethering, ground stabilization, lifting techniques using low-pressure bags, multi-sling utilization, and de-bogging procedures, ensuring that CSMIA boasts a cadre of highly skilled professionals ready to act swiftly in the face of adversity.</p>
<p>In a major initiative in the aviation sector, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) has commissioned a specialized Disabled Aircraft Recovery Kit (DARK) - becoming the first airport in Asia to have such a facility. </p><p>The DARK facility has high-pressure lifting bags that ensure superior durability, require minimal manpower, and provide a more efficient recovery process, in contrast to conventional low-pressure counterparts.</p><p>“Runway excursion”, a scenario where an aircraft unintentionally veers off or overruns the runway during take-off or landing, is a critical concern in aviation. </p><p>It requires swift and meticulous intervention to ensure the safety of passengers, aircraft, and airport operations. </p><p>“DARK, a remarkable addition to CSMIA's infrastructure, empowers the airport to respond to such scenarios with unparalleled precision and efficiency, hence minimizing disruptions and reducing the impact on travellers,” a CSMIA spokesperson said on Monday. </p><p>Operating with a single crossover runway, CSMIA can use the DARK facility with a high pressure kit to the best of its capabilities for faster movement and deployment, restoring runway operations while protecting the aircraft.</p><p>DARK has the ability to swiftly recover the biggest commercial aircraft in operations in the world, including B777-300, which weighs 390 Metric tons. The kit would cater for the most demanding and critical aircraft which regularly operate from Mumbai.</p><p>The recovery process encompasses a meticulous sequence of steps, from ground preparation to aircraft lifting, de-bogging, and towing. Furthermore, the compact design of the equipment enhances its transportability, allowing rescuers to reach crash sites swiftly and effectively. </p><p>With DARK in place, CSMIA can minimize disruptions and expedite the resumption of operations, a crucial advantage in today's dynamic aviation landscape. The kit allows for business continuity and resilience of other airports as well.</p><p>This sophisticated kit can be operated with comparatively fewer trained personnel, the bags occupy a smaller footprint, and recovery operation 4x faster than low-pressure bag system.</p><p>CSMIA’s highly trained Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) officers underwent an intensive five-day training program that covered legal aspects, tethering, ground stabilization, lifting techniques using low-pressure bags, multi-sling utilization, and de-bogging procedures, ensuring that CSMIA boasts a cadre of highly skilled professionals ready to act swiftly in the face of adversity.</p>