20:03
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Officials in China have instructed pilots flying into Beijing's hazy
airports to ensure they're appropriately-qualified in instrument landing
system use.
Referencing the Chinese civil aviation regulator, the China Daily reports that, from 1 January onwards, only ILS-qualified pilots will be allowed into the Chinese capital's major airports on days when visibility is 400 metres or less.
According to a source quoted by the China Daily, the instrument landing system requirement '...is part of a series of measures the administration took recently to raise the flights' on-time performance.'
While having made major investments in airport infrastructure and the latest airliner technology, China still experiences significant flight delays, on account of various factors. The smoggy weather is one such cause; so too, the tight airspace restrictions imposed by the China's People's Liberation Army.
In related news, an instrument landing system at another airport has become a key part of an incident investigation. As reported by Airport International back in July, the San Francisco Boeing 777 runway crash investigation previously saw issues like aircraft speed and pilot experience brought into focus.
At the time of the crash, San Francisco International Airport's instrument landing system was out of operation, due to construction works. Documents now publicised by the US (NTSB) National Transportation Safety Board reveal that Captain Lee Kang-kuk, who was flying the aircraft, became "very concerned" when he realised that, with the ILS out of action, a visual approach landing was required instead.
The NTSB's Asiana Airlines landing crash investigation remains ongoing and, said one official, will take as long as is needed.
Referencing the Chinese civil aviation regulator, the China Daily reports that, from 1 January onwards, only ILS-qualified pilots will be allowed into the Chinese capital's major airports on days when visibility is 400 metres or less.
According to a source quoted by the China Daily, the instrument landing system requirement '...is part of a series of measures the administration took recently to raise the flights' on-time performance.'
While having made major investments in airport infrastructure and the latest airliner technology, China still experiences significant flight delays, on account of various factors. The smoggy weather is one such cause; so too, the tight airspace restrictions imposed by the China's People's Liberation Army.
Chinese Airport Landing Systems
"Considering the recent smog and haze has bought numerous troubles to air transport in eastern and southern regions, it seems necessary for authorities to ask pilots to improve their landing capability in low visibility", says Civil Aviation University of China representative Ouyang Jie, in comments on the airport ILS landing requirements quoted by the China Daily.In related news, an instrument landing system at another airport has become a key part of an incident investigation. As reported by Airport International back in July, the San Francisco Boeing 777 runway crash investigation previously saw issues like aircraft speed and pilot experience brought into focus.
ILS-Aided Landing
Now, it's been reported that the pilot became "stressed" when faced with the prospect of a non-ILS-aided landing at San Francisco.At the time of the crash, San Francisco International Airport's instrument landing system was out of operation, due to construction works. Documents now publicised by the US (NTSB) National Transportation Safety Board reveal that Captain Lee Kang-kuk, who was flying the aircraft, became "very concerned" when he realised that, with the ILS out of action, a visual approach landing was required instead.
The NTSB's Asiana Airlines landing crash investigation remains ongoing and, said one official, will take as long as is needed.
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