Air India and Nepal Airlines aircraft almost collide

Subject : Science and technology

Section: Msc

Concept :

A major tragedy was averted on Friday when an Air India and a Nepal Airlines aircraft came close to collision mid-air but the warning systems alerted the pilots whose timely action prevented the disaster, authorities said.
The Air India aircraft was descending from 19,000 ft while the Nepal Airlines aircraft was flying at an altitude of 15,000 ft at the same location.
However, the radar systems felt the presence of another aircraft in the proximity, and the Nepal Airlines flight descended to 7,000 ft — avoiding a major tragedy.

Role of Air Traffic Control

Air traffic control (ATC) is a service provided by ground-based air traffic controllers (also called control tower operators (CTO))who direct aircraft on the ground and through a given section of controlled airspace, and can provide advisory services to aircraft in non-controlled airspace.
The primary purpose of ATC worldwide is to prevent collisions, organize and expedite the flow of air traffic, and provide information and other support for pilots.
Air traffic controllers monitor the location of aircraft in their assigned airspace by radar and communicate with the pilots by radio.
To prevent collisions, ATC enforces traffic separation rules, which ensure each aircraft maintains a minimum amount of empty space around it at all times.

Traffic Separation

In air traffic control, separation is the name for the concept of keeping an aircraft outside a minimum distance from another aircraft to reduce the risk of those aircraft colliding, as well as prevent accidents due to secondary factors, such as wake turbulence.
Separation can also apply to terrain, obstacles, and controlled airspace, wherein an aircraft must stay at a minimum distance from a block of airspace; as an example, all aircraft must be approved by the controller who “owns” the airspace before the aircraft is approved to enter that sector.

Air Traffic Management System

Air traffic management and control primarily involves the control of traffic in and around airports, airport terminals and airspace.
Air traffic controllers that work from Air Traffic Control (ATC) towers are responsible for ensuring a safe distance between all aircraft, both in the air and on the ground, to prevent accidents.
Air traffic controllers prevent collisions and maintain an orderly flow of air traffic. The commonly used technologies and systems in air traffic management and control include:
- Surface movement and surveillance radars
- Holographic radar
- Navigation and surveillance systems
- Voice communication control systems
- Ultra-high frequency (UHF) and very high frequency (VHF) communication systems
- Flight data information display equipment
- Radio modems and transceivers
- Collision avoidance systems
- Noise monitoring systems
- Meteorological sensors and displays
- Airfield lighting control and monitoring
- Training management software