Citation
(2008), "Runway debris detection system", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 80 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2008.12780bab.020
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2008, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Runway debris detection system
Article Type: Safety topic and notes From: Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology: An International Journal, Volume 80, Issue 2.
Doha International Airport in the State of Qatar is to install Tarsier, a new runway debris detection system developed by international defence and security technology company QinetiQ.
The announcement was made at the recent Dubai Air Show following a contract signing by Akbar Al Baker, Chief Executive Officer of Doha International Airport, and Phil McLachlan, Managing Director of QinetiQ Airport Technologies.
Tarsier will detect foreign object debris on the single runway at Doha International Airport, which at 4,572m is one of the longest in the world. Three radars will scan the runway area 24h a day and in all weathers, locating objects that could be drawn into engines or damage aircraft systems.
Al Baker, who is also CEO of Qatar Airways, said: “Safety is an absolute priority for us and Doha International Airport has an excellent safety record. We see Tarsier as an integral part of our safety management system because it inspects the runway continuously with no disruption to aircraft movements. This will bring us both cost and operational benefits, but more importantly, is a commitment to have an airport operation which is fully safety driven.”
Added McLachlan: “Qatar is experiencing strong growth in airport traffic and its ambitious plans for a new, state-of-the-art airport are well on the way to being realised. This agreement marks an important step in the development of the QinetiQ Airport Technologies business and I am delighted that Tarsier will now play an important part in the growth of Doha International Airport.”
The number of passengers using Doha International Airport has rocketed from 2 to 10 million over the last ten years. As a result, the New Doha International Airport is expected to open in 2009 with a capacity of 50 million passengers a year once fully completed.
QinetiQ and Qatar Airways are currently in negotiations about the potential installation of a Tarsier system to cover the two runways at the New Doha International Airport when they go operational.
QinetiQ's dialogue with Qatar Airways has been supported by UK Investment Trade & Investment, the UK Government organisation that helps UK companies look to develop international business and provides support for overseas companies wishing to invest in the UK.