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Airport Engineering - Rangwala
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AIRPORT ENGINEERING
First edition : 1992
Second edition : 1996
Third edition : 2001
Fourth edition : 2003
Fifth edition : 2004
Sixth — edition : 2006
Seventh edition : 2007
Eighth edition : 2008
Ninth edition : 2009
ISBN: 978-81-85594-97-2
wn
All rights reserved by the Publishers.
This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any
form or translated without the permission of the Publishers.
Published by: B. R. Patel
LOMAUM) PUBLISHING HOUSE PVT. LTD.
Publishers of Engineering Text-Books
Opposite Amul Dairy, Old Civil Court Road, Post Box 65
ANAND 388 001 Gujarat, India
Phone: (02692) 256237 Fax: (02692) 240089
E-mail: charotar@[Link] Website: [Link]
Laserset by: Charotar Associates, Anand
Printed by: Fr. Agnelo Vaz S. J. at Anand Press, Gamdi, AnandPREFACE
The subject of Airport Engineering is being include
as well as Diploma courses of almost all the Indian
and other Technical Institutions. The air transport at present has
assumed great significance because of the various advancements
in the technology of the airport engineering. As we are proceeding
towards the twenty-first century, the importance of this speedy
mode of transport cannot be overlooked. It is in this context
that this subject has found a limited space in the over-crowded
syllabi of most of the universities and technical institutions.
The subject-matter has been subdivided into eleven chapters
and the various complicated topics are explained in simple
and lucid language assisted by self-explanatory and neatly drawn
sketches. The illustrative problems and tables are also suitably
accommodated in the book to increase its utility. Typical questions
are also mentioned at the end of each chapter.
It is hoped that the contents of the book will provide a
sound footing in the mind of the student preparing for this
subject. We have kept in mind the established fact that the
secret of education lies in respecting the limitations of the pupils.
We take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks to all
good friends who have helped us in writing this book. We are
indeed highly grateful to Balfour Beatty Ltd., Surrey (U.K) for
providing, and for their kind permission (PP19/BDW/JK of
7th April 1989) to make use of the nice photograph of the
Heathrow Airport-Terminal 4, London, printed on the jacket-cover
of the book.
We are specially grateful to Shri R. C. Patel of Charotar
Publishing House, Mr. Bhavin R. Patel and Mr. Pradeep R. Patel
of Pradeep Publications for taking keen interest in all the aspects
of publishing this book. We are also thankful to Rev. Br. S. Abril
and his good staff of the Anand Press, Anand for such decent
printing and get-up of the book.
Suggestions to improve the utility of the book will be gratefully
received and incorporated in the subsequent editions.
Ahmedabad 380 015 Ss. C. Rangwala
December 12, 1991 P. S. RangwalaSECOND EDITION
It is indeed a privilege to present this Second revised and
enlarged edition of this unique and comprehensive book. This
edition includes new concepts and provides an up-to-date and
latest information on the subject-matter. The substantial new material
alongwith a few new figures is also accommodated in various
chapters of the book.
We express our hearty appreciation and sincere thanks to
the teachers for their valuable suggestions and also the students
for their magnificent response to this book.
Any suggestions to improve the utility of this book will be
gratefully received and will be incorporated in the subsequent
editions after scrutiny.
Ahmedabad 380 015 S. C. Rangwala
July 11, 1996 P. S. Rangwala
NINTH EDITION
It is indeed a privilege to present this ninth revised and
enlarged edition reflecting the latest FAA, ICAO, IATA and AAl
recommendations and guidelines. All the chapters have been
carefully reviewed and substantial new material is added at the
appropriate places. Latest technique of GPS air traffic control has
been highlighted in detail. Modern concept of free flight is also
added. All the articles have been given the numbers to enhance
the readability and convenience of the reader.
We express our hearty appreciation and sincere thanks to
the teachers for their valuable suggestions and also the students for
their magnificent response to this book.
We shall feel obliged to receive comments, suggestions and
opinions from the readers and students to boost the utility of
the book.
Ahmedabad 380 015 S. C. Rangwala
July 11, 2009 K. S. Rangwala
P, S. RangwalaChapter 1
1-1.
1-2.
1-3.
1-4,
1-5.
1-6.
1-7.
1-8.
1-9.
1-10.
1-11.
* (13) Tyre pressure and contact area ..
1-13.
. Aircraft characteristics ..
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ......eseeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
General
(1) Collective demand .
(2) Efficient and adequate supply .
(3) Power of discrimination ..
Significance of transport ..
(1) Economic significance of transport .
(2) Political significance of transport ...
(3) Social significance of transport .
Modes of transport .
History of aviation ..
Air transportation in India .
(1) Indian Airlines Corporation . :
(2) Air India International Corporation .....
International airport authority of india (IAAI) .
Civil aviation department ..
Airport Authority of India (AAI)
Open sky policy ..
Airport terminology .
Component parts of aeroplane
(1) Engine .........6
(2) Flaps, (3) Fuselage .
(4) Propeller, (5) Three controls
(6) Tricycle undercarriage ..
(7) Wings ....
(1) Aircraft capacity, (2) Aircraft speed .
(3) Aircraft weight and wheel arrangement -
(4) Fuel spilling, (5) Jet blast . .
(6) Minimum circling radius .
(7) Minimum turning radius .
(8) Noise
(9) Range, (10) Size of aircraft ...
(11) Take off and landing distances .
(12) Type of propulsion
Characteristics of the jet aircraft .....
(1) Channelization, (2) Fuel spilling ..viii Airport Engineering
(3) High-pressure tyres and small contact areas 45
(4) High velocities, (5) Hot blasts, (6) Noise 45
(7) Porpoising effect, (8) Pumping of the joints 45
(9) Sucking effect 46
1-14, Civil and military aircrafts 46
1-15. Classification of aerodromes .. 46
1-16. Classification of airports . 47
1-17. Flying activities ........ 48
(1) Military operational flights .. 48
(2) Non-scheduled commercial flights . 48
(3) Personal flights 48
(4) Scheduled commercial flights . 48
QUESTIONS 1 48
Chapter 2 AIRPORT SURVEYS ...........00eeeeeeee eee 51-62
2-1. General 51
2-2. Objects of surveys . 51
52
2-3. Types of surveys .
(1) Approach zone survey, (2) Drainage survey 52
(3) Meteorological survey ... 53
(4) Natural resources survey 53
54
(5) Soil survey .
(6) Topographical survey, (7) Traffic survey . 58
2-4, Drawings to be prepared
(1) Drainage plan, (2) Grading plan . 59
(3) Lighting plan, (4) Master plan ... 60
(5) Obstruction plan, (6) Paving plan . 61
(7) Topographic plan .....+++++++ st
QUESTIONS 2 ....s-e cere ere e rete
Chapter 3 AIRPORT PLANNING ...
3-1, General .........-.-0000
3-2. Improvement of existing airport .
(1) Capacity of existing airport ..
(2) Improving the existing capacity ..
(3) Traffic forecast ........
(4) Planning a new airport .
3-3. Airport site selection 65
(1) Atmospheric and meteorological conditions 65
(2) Availability of land for expansion ....... 653-4,
3-5.
3-6.
3-7.
3-8.
3-9.
3-10.
3-11.
. Environmental considerations
Contents
(3) Availability of utilities ............e00+
(4) Development of the surrounding area .
(5) Economy of construction
(6) Ground accessibility ....
(7) Presence of other airports . 5
(8) Regional plan, (9) Soil characteristics ...
(10) Surrounding obstructions
(11) Topography, (12) Use of airport.
Airport size .....ee esses eee renee
(1) Elevation of the airport site
(2) Meteorological conditions .. 5
(3) Performance characteristics of aircrafts .
(4) Volume of traffic ..
Forecasting in aviation . .
Airport obstructions ....
(1) Imaginary surfaces .
(2) Objects with actual heights
Clear zone ...
Turning zone .
Zoning laws .
(1) Height zoning, (2) Land-use zoning
Regional planning ....-.+++++++++
(1) Air traffic, (2) Existing airports .
(3) Population, (4) Topographical features
Airport architecture ...+++++seeereetserets
66
66
66
66
67
67
68
68
68
69
69
69
69
69
7”
72
i)
76
77
77
78
79
79
79
79
(1) Features of building, (2) International airport 80
(3) Materials of construction, (4) Plants ....
(5) Seating arrangements, (6) Utilization of space
(1) Environmental impact assessment (EIA) .
(2) Environmental impact statement (EIS) .. .
(3) Environmental management plan (EMP)
. Factors influenced by airport activity .....---
(1) Ecological factors
(2) Engineering and economic factors ..
(3) Pollution factors .
(4) Social factors ... wee
QUESTIONS 3 .....e ses e seen ence ees
80
80
80
81
BRRBBSRKRSx Airport Engineering
Chapter 4 RUNWAY DESIGN + 87-116
4-1. General .. 87
4-2. Runway orientation . 87
(1) Preliminary information required .. 87
(2) Head wind, (3) Cross wind component .. 88
(4) Wind coverage .
(5) Wind rose
4-3. Change in direction of runway .........+... 94
(1) Excessive grading, (2) Noise nuisance 94
(3) Obstructions .. 94
4-4, Basic runway length .. 94
(1) Normal landing, (2) Normal take off .... 95
(3) Stopping in emergency 96
4-5. Corrections to basic runway length . 97
(1) Correction for elevation 97
(2) Correction for gradient 97
(3) Correction for temperature 97
4-6. Geometric design of runways ... 103
(1) Length 103
(2) Longitudinal and effective gradient . + 103
(3) Rate of change of longitudinal gradient .. 103
(4) Safety area oo... cece cece eee eee eee 105
(5) Sight distance, (6) Transverse gradient ... 106
(7) Width ..... cece eee . 107
4-7. Balanced field concept 107
4-8. Airport capacity .. vee 109
4-9. Runway patterns ........ 0. cece eee eee eee 110
(1) Single runway, (2) Parallel runways » 111
(3) Intersecting runways .......... » 112
(4) Divergent or open V-runways 113
4-10. Comparison of runway patterns ... vee 113
4-11. Geometric design of runway intersection .... 114
QUESTIONS 4 200... cece eece eee ee ee 114
Chapter 5 TAXIWAY DESIGN ..............05 teeeee 117-136
5-1. General .. 117
5-2. Layout of taxiways .. 117
(1) Arrangement, (2) Busy airports .. 117
(3) Crossing, (4) Higher turn-off speeds 118
(5) Route besdettteusssesuteueeesaeeecee. 1185-3.
5-4,
5-5.
5-6.
5-7.
5-8.
5-10.
5-11,
+ (8) Width of taxiway .
Contents
Geometric standards for taxiway .......-++-
(1) Length of taxiway ....
(2) Longitudinal gradient .
(3) Rate of change of longitudinal gradient ..
(4) Sight distance
(5) Transverse gradient
(6) Turning radius ......
(7) Width of safety area .
Exit taxiways ....--
(1) Air traffic control .
(2) Exit speed ...--+-
(3) Location of runways .
(4) Number of exits .....
(5) Pilot variability .....+
(6) Topographical features
(7) Types of aircraft .......
(8) Weather conditions .....+--+
Optimum location of exit taxiways
Design of exit taxiways
(1) Angle of turn ...
(2) Compound curve ..
(3) Exit speed .....--+
(4) Lengths L, and Ly .
(5) Occupancy time .
(6) Shape of taxiway
(7) Stopping distance . -
(8) Turning radius
Loading aprons .
Holding aprons
(1) Configuration ...--+-
(2) Entry to the runway -
(3) Facility of bypass
(4) Holding bays .
(5) Location ...-++
(6) Peak demands ..
Fillets ....+-eeee
Separation clearance .
Bypass or turnaround taxiway -
QUESTIONS 5
xixii
Airport Engineering
Chapter 6 PLANNING AND DESIGN OF TERMINAL AREA
6-1.
6-2.
6-3,
6-5.
6-6,
6-7,
6-8,
6-9,
6-10.
7-1.
7-2.
7-3.
General
Terminal building .
(1) Design objectives
(2) Facilities to be provided ...
(3) Noise control ............
(4) Planning considerations ....
(5) Site selection
(6) Space requirements .
Passenger flow .
(1) Arrival
(2) Check-in, (3) Waiting .................
(4) Security screening, (5) Departure
(6) Deplaning
Parking of vehicles f
(1) Short-term, (2) Long-term, (3) Remote vee
Size of apron ..............
(1) Gate position ....
(2) Number of gates .
(3) Systems of aircraft parking :
Apron turntable
Hangars ........
(1) Nose hangars .
(2) T-hangars
Protection from jet blast ..
(1) Blast fences ....
(2) Erosion control
Typical airport layouts .
Layout of military airports .
QUESTIONS 6
General
Types of pavements .
(1) Flexible pavements .
(2) Rigid pavements .
Design factors
(1) Characteristics of construction materials |
(2) Subgrade soil .
(3) Wheel load ...
137-168
137
137
138
138
140
140
142
143
144
144
145
145
145
146
147
148
148
150
155
159
159
160
160
162
162
164
164
166
166
169-198
169
169
170
170
171
171
171
1717-4.
7-5.
7-6.
7-7.
7-8.
7-9.
7-10.
7-11.
7-12.
7-13.
7-14,
7-15.
7-16.
Contents
Design of flexible pavements . 171
Design of rigid pavements 173
(1) FAA method 174
(2) Method based on Westergaard’s analysis . 174
(3) PCA method 174
LCN method of pavement design 175
(1) LCN for flexible pavement 177
(2) LCN for rigid pavement .... 178
Causes of failure of pavements 179
(1) Failures in flexible pavements 179
(2) Failures in rigid pavements ..
Typical flexible pavement failures
(1) Alligator or map cracking .....
(2) Consolidation of pavement layers
(3) Formation of waves, (4) Frost heaving ...
(5) Lack of binding with the lower course... 183
(6) Longitudinal cracking .. see
(7) Reflection cracking .... :
(8) Shear failure ..........+ - 185
Typical rigid pavement failures 185
(1) Mud pumping . . 185
(2) Scaling of cement concrete 186
(3) Shrinkage cracks 186
186
(4) Spalling of joints 7
(5) Structural cracks, (6) Warping cracks ...- 186
Maintenance and evaluation of airport pavements 186
Aircraft-pavement classification number system 187
Joints in cement concrete pavements . . 189
(1) Expansion joints ....-++++ 189
(2) Contraction joints, (3) Warping joints . 190
(4) Construction joints 190
Joint fillers and sealers . 191
Pumping 191
Design of overlay pavements. 192
(1) Design of flexible overlay . 193
(2) Design of rigid overlay . 193
195
Pavements for light aircraft .
(1) Flexible pavement, (2) Rigid pavement .... 195
QUESTIONS 7 .. cece eee eee e eee e eee 196
xiiixiv
Airport Engineering
Chapter 8 AIRPORT GRADING AND DRAINAGE .....
8-1. General
8-2. Importance of grading ..
8-3. General requirements of grading
(1) Cuts and fills, (2) Drainage, (3) Equipment
(4) Grade lines, (5) Grading plans . oer
(6) Ground near landing strips
(7) Intersection, (8) Subgrade soils .
8-4. Operations of grading ..
8-5. Earthwork computations
(1) Cross-sectional method
(2) Mass-haul curve method
8-6. Aims of airport drainage ...
8-7. Functions of airport drainage .
8-8. Special characteristics of airport drainage ....
8-9. Basic requirements of airport drainage system
(1) Capacity, (2) Future expansion .
(3) Rapid drainage, (4) Strength ...
8-10. Surface drainage
+ (1) Objectives of surface drainage .
(2) Time of concentration
(3) Estimating runoff ...
(4) Design procedure .
(5) Layout of surface drainage
8-11. Ponding eye
(1) Meaning of the term, (2) Necessity .....
199-218
199
199
200
200
200
200
200
201
201
201
201
202
202
203
203
203
203
204
204
204
206
207
208
208
208
(3) Importance, (4) Location, (5) Design process 209
8-12. Sub-surface drainage ...............04
(1) Functions of sub-surface drainage .
(2) Changes in moisture content
(3) Base course and subgrade drainage .... .
(4) Intercepting drainage, (5) Drainability of soils
(6) Methods of sub-surface drainage .
8-13. Types of pipes
(1) Bell and spigot pipes, (2) Perforated pipes
(3) Porous concrete pipes ..
(4) Skip pipes ...
8-14, Filter materials
QUESTIONS 8 ..
209
210
210
210
211
211
215
215
215
216
216
217Chapter 9 VISUAL AIDS
9-1,
9-2.
9-3.
9-7.
9-8.
Chapter 10 AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL
10-1.
10-2.
10-3.
10-5.
. Air traffic control network ..
Contents
General ....... sete e eee cece eee ee
Requirements of pilots for visual aids
(1) Daytime with clear weather er
(2) Night and daytime with bad weather ....
Airport markings
(1) Apron marking, (2) Landing direction indicator
(3) Runway marking .. aa
(4) Shoulder marking
(5) Taxiway marking ..
(6) Wind direction indicator .
Guidance to pilots during landing .
(1) Alignment guidance, (2) Height information
(3) Visual parameters I
Factors affecting airport lighting ..
Elements of airport lighting
(1) Airport beacon, (2) Approach lighting
(3) Apron and hangar lighting
(4) Boundary lighting
(5) Lighting of landing direction indicator
(6) Lighting of wind direction indicator .
(7) Runway lighting . D
(8) Taxiway lighting .
(9) Threshold lighting .
Other associated visual aids .
Visibility ........
QUESTIONS 9 ..
General .........eceeeeeeeee
Importance of air traffic control
Flight rules . a
(1) Meaning, (2) Principle, (3) Responsibility 5
(4) Type of control aeerert
(1) Control centres, (2) Control towers .
(3) Flight service stations
Air traffic control aids
(1) En route aids or airway aids .
(2) Landing aids or terminal aids
xv
219-242
219
220
220
220
221
221
222
225
226
228
229
229
230
231
232
232
234
234
235
235
235
236
238
238
239
240
243-262
243
244
245
245
245
246
246
248
248
248
251xvi Airport Engineering
10-6. Automation in air traffic control aids 257
10-7, GPS Air Traffic Control 257
10-8. Free flight air traffic control . 258
(1) General ........ 258
(2) Free flight types . 259
(3) Different approaches of free flight +. 260
QUESTIONS 10 ........ eee eee eee eee 261
Chapter 11 HELIPORTS AND STOLPORTS .......... 263-278
11-1. General .. 263
11-2, Advantages of helicopters . 264
(1) Bad weather, (2) Future prospects . 264
(3) Military operation, (4) Saving in time 264
(5) Utility 2.0... eee . 264
11-3, Characteristics of helicopter . 265
(1) Flight characteristics ... 265
(2) Physical characteristics 265
11-4, Planning of heliports 265
(1) Selection of site .... 266
(2) Size of landing area . 267
(3) Orientation of landing area, (4) Terminal area 267
(5) Obstruction clearance requirements . 267
(6) Marking of heliports .. 268
(7) Lighting of heliports 269
11-5. Elevated heliports ... 270
11-6. Heliports at airports . 271
11-7. Characteristics of STOL aircraft . 272
11-8. Advantages of STOL aircraft .... 273
(1) Intercity transportation; (2) Noise, 273
(3) Operation, (4) Runway length .. . 273
(5) Useofairspace .... . 273
11-9. Planning of stolports .. 273
(1) Obstruction clearance requirements . 274
(2) Runway length 274
(3) Runway width, (4) Taxiway width ....... 275
(5) Marking of stolports
(6) Lighting of stolports .. 276
QUESTIONS 11 .... 277
Appendix I Abbreviated Terms . 279-280
Index 281-286INTRODUCTION
1-1. GENERAL
|
|
|
|
|
L
| The term transport is derived from Latin word transportare
i.e., trans over and portare means to carry and thus, transport means
to carry from one place to another. The term transportation indicates
a means or system of conveyance and it is thus, an act of transporting
or being transported.
It is difficult to imagine those old days when small communities
were inhabiting in distant tracts of land and were economically
self-sufficient with respect to the production of all the vast range
of goods. The introduction of transport facilities in the modern
age has narrowed down the distance between various parts of the
nation or world.
The transport as such has helped human beings in removal of
unwarranted barriers of physical separation and the concept of a
self-sufficient society has more or less become inconceivable in the
modern age of specialization.
Just like other public utility services such as water supply, sanitation,
electricity, etc., the transport has also been recognised as a great
public utility service because it satisfies the following main three
characteristics which a public utility service should possess:
(1) Collective demand: An organised society with a high standard of
living will have substantial collective demand for transport. It is clear
that if the transport service is not adequate, the people would suffer.
(2) Efficient and adequate supply: As demand rises, there
should also be adequate supply of transport facilities. The improvement
in the technique of modern transport has considerably increased the
wealth of society through the development of trade, industry and
commerce.A Airport Engineering Ich. 1
(3) Power of discrimination: A public utility service must
possess the ability to exercise the power of discrimination. At present,
a transport service is either nationalised in the interests of the public
or controlled by the State.
The improvements in transportation were not given much
importance in the past because the people generally believed that
only manufacturing industries, banking and agriculture could develop
national economy. But the time has changed now. Much more
attention is being given to the transport facilities with an idea to
improve them as far as possible. 9
It is not an exaggeration to state that we have entered into an
era of air transport. In the chapters to follow, the subject of airport
engineering will be suitably subdivided into various topics and each
topic will then be discussed in detail.
41-2, SIGNIFICANCE OF TRANSPORT
Just like the demand for essential commodities like air, water
and shelter, the demand of transport as such is not so much
fundamental in nature. But in the modern age, it has served as
an useful instrument to carry the ideas and inventions to the
peoples of different countries and has thereby contributed considerably
to the evolution of civilization.
The transport industries undertake nothing more than the mere
movement of persons and goods from one place to another. But in
doing so in an excellent manner in present times, they have transformed
the entire world into one organised unit.
The significance of transport in relation to the following three
aspects is worth noting:
(1) Economic significance of transport
(2) Political significance of transport
(3) Social significance of transport.
(1) Economic significance of transport: As far as the economic
activities are concerned, the significance of transport is very great
and it can be mentioned as follows:
(i) Agriculture: The transport services have increased the
productivity of agricultural lands which had exhausted on
account of long and unwise uses through the application of
improved manures and fertilizers. They have also considerably
helped in the marketing of products of agriculture.Art, 1-2]
(iv)
wv)
(vi)
(vii)
(ix)
Introduction 3
Competition: The improved system of transport affects
competition to an appreciable extent either due to the expanded
market or due to the competition among carriers or transporters.
The competition among transport agencies themselves will
result in improved transport facilities with reduction in the
cost of transport and thereby bringing down the cost of
production of the commodity.
Consumption: It is observed that transport exercises its
powerful influence on human wants, mode of consumption
and the quantity of consumable goods also. The reduction
in cost of transport permits even distribution of commodities
among all the communities of the world.
Distribution: The transport has a great impact on distribution
because it increases the demand for and supply of capital
in a country. Thus, it helps in raising the level of productivity
and real wages of labour.
Exchange: The transport plays a dominant role in the exchange
of wealth which is the major function of marketing. The
different industries have come up in the different parts of
the world because transport facilitates exchange of goods
and promotes competition.
Industrial development: The industries depend upon
transport and transport creates new industries. If there were
no transport facilities, the industrial development would not
have taken place to a giant extent as we see today.
Land utilization: \f cheap transport is available for long
distance, the land can be utilized to the maximum possible
advantage by the community. Thus, the lands enjoying better
transport facilities will appreciate considerably in their values.
Price stabilization: \f adequate transport facilities exist,
the surplus commodities can easily be moved to the deficit
areas. Thus, the shooting up of prices due to reduction in
supply can be prevented and more or less steady prices can
be maintained in the local market. Thus, the transport plays
an important role in price mechanism also i.e. price equalization
and stabilization.
Production: At several stages in the production of a
commodity, the transport is required. If a commodity is
to be produced on a large scale, it is necessary to see
that it reaches the far away markets through improved
low transport cost so as to accelerate its demand.4 Airport Engineering Ich. 1
(x) Scale of production: The medium and large-sized industries
bring raw materials from distant places and their finished
products enjoy national and international markets. If transport
services are adequate, regular and cheap, the scale of production
of big industries can suitably be adjusted.
(xi) Territorial division of labour: The transport facilitates the
territorial division of labour or regional specialization. It
Promotes division of labour by widening the market of a
commodity. For the localization of industries, several factors
such as climate, technical skill, availability of raw materials,
etc. are responsible. But the major factor of transport should
not be ignored.
(xii) Utility: The transport is a public utility service which creates
time and place utilities. It makes commodities available for
Consumption at a time when they are most needed. Similarly,
a commodity which has no usefulness or only a little utility
at the place where it has been produced, must be transported
to the place where it is demanded.
___ (2) Political significance of transport: Following are the two
important political advantages granted by the transport:
() National defence
ii) National unity.
(i) National defence: In the event of an invasion or during the
Period of a war, the transport proves to be an important
agency for the mobilization of the entire resources of a
Country. Hence, the defence of the country necessitates the
adequacy of improved transport facilities. The transport policies
of big countries have generally been influenced by the military
considerations.
(ii) National unity: The big countries like India, U.S.A., Russia
or China cannot be held together without an adequately
developed system of transport. It thus promotes homogeneity
among the people of a country and this sense of oneness
strengthens the political unity.
(3) Social significance of transport: The social significance of
transport should not be also underestimated as seen from the following
illustrations:
(i) __ It has enabled people to create and maintain personal contacts
over wide areas.
(ii) It has helped considerably in broadening the outlook of
people.Art. 1-2]
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(wi)
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)
(i)
(iv)
(vy)
Introduction 5
It has made immigration possible.
It has promoted culture and intelligence.
It has raised the standard of living of the different peoples
of the world.
It is the main cause of education by widely distributing
mails and books.
The development of internal air transport has unified the
distant areas of a vast country like India and it has thus
created similarity in social customs, manner of living, language,
etc.
The introduction of public buses has virtually destroyed the
feeling of isolation among the people of adjacent areas.
The persons possessing bicycles, motor cycles, scooters
and cars enjoy complete freedom of the frequency of
movement.
As discussed above, an improved and efficient transport
grants various advantages. But even then, it suffers from
the following serious drawbacks:
Concentration of population: Due to the availability of
transport facilities, there is concentration of population in
big cities and it has created new problems of health, housing,
etc. in urban areas. The growth of urbanization has taken
away the charm of rural life.
Elimination of cottage scale production: The cottage industries
which cannot afford high cost of advertisement and
standardization have virtually been pushed back.
Loss of inguishing characteristics: The customs and
modes of living of different communities are different. But
when they come nearer to each other, they begin to adopt
the common practices and lose their own.
Mass destruction: During war, the use is made of the
fastest means of transport i.e. aircraft for sending troops
and bombarding military weapons. It results in the killing
of thousands of innocent people and destruction of hospitals,
bridges, buildings, aerodromes, railway stations, etc.
Restrictions on international transport: The international
transport facilities have not developed satisfactorily and hence,
all countries have not come close enough so as to eliminate
tension and conflict.6 Airport Engineering Ich. 1
1-3. MODES OF TRANSPORT
For the purpose of convenience, the transport has been divided
in the following three categories:
(1) Land transport
(2) Water transport
(3) Air transport.
(1) Land transport: Apart from the human porters and transport
by the animals like horses, mules, donkeys, camels, etc., the two
major important means of land transport are roads and railways.
For road transport, several kinds of carriages such as buses,
autorickshaws, bullock carts, trucks, etc. are used. The trucks have
come to occupy a prominent place in the modern transport system
and for short distances, they successfully compete with railways.
The first public railway for traffic was opened on 27th February,
1825 in England by the most famous pioneer of railways, George
Stephenson (1781-1848). Very shortly the idea of laying railway lines
for public travel spread throughout the world. The first railway line
was opened for traffic in India on 16th April, 1853 between Bombay
and Thana, a distance of 33 km. The railways play a significant role
in transporting men and materials over long distances.
(2) Water transport: The water transport possesses historical
importance for making the cultural relations and growth of civilization.
It can be subdivided into two categories:
(i) Inland water transportation: \t is either in the form of
river transportation or canal transportation. It is significant
to note that river transportation became popular in our
country since 1855 and many commercial towns came
into existence on the banks of impértant rivers like Ganges.
In inland water transportation, certain restrictions and
guidance is necessary.
(ii) Ocean water transportation: It is adopted for trade
and commerce. It is estimated that about 75 per cent of
international trade is carried out by shipping. The development
of navy force is intended for national-defence. The ocean
water transportation has no limitation and it possesses
high flexibility.
With the introduction of railways as a mode of transport in
1853, the water transportation got some set back. But it is still
considered as an important agency for the transport of men and
materials by our country.Art. 1-3] Introduction 7
(3) Air transport: There has been considerable improvement and
progress in the mode of transport by air. This is the fastest mode *
of transport flying at more than 300 km p.h, to a modern speed
which is nearly 3 times the speed of sound.
Following are the advantages of air transport:
(i) Accessibility: The air transport can reach the otherwise
inaccessible areas with other modes of transport and
such areas can therefore be economically developed with
air transport only.
(ii) Continuous journey: The aeroplanes can fly over both,
namely, land and water. They also do not require any artificial
track as in case of railways and roadways. Thus, it grants
the facility of a continuous journey over long distances.
(iii), Demand for technical skill: The manufacture of aeroplanes
and their maintenance as well as development, design and
construction of airports have opened up new opportunities
for highly technical man-power. The air aviation industry
can therefore claim to be the principal employer of highly
skilled professionals in the field.
(iv) Emergency use: The air service can be used for destroying
the pests by aerial spray of the chemicals. It is also extremely
useful in case of floods for dropping food packets to the
affected people and for observing the area to access the
gravity of situation. .
(vy) Engineering use: The air service is finding at present an
increasing engineering use in the preparation of maps by
the aerial photography. The helicopters have been used in
the construction of some high rise buildings.
(vi) Saving in time: It has resulted in a tremendous saving in
travel time because of high speeds of aeroplanes.
Following are, however, the disadvantages of air transport:
(i) Flight rules: There are certain rules which are framed by
the concerned authorities and these rules are to be strictly
observed for the smooth working of air transport.
(ii) Operating expenses: This mode of transport proves to be
most expensive because heavy investments are required for
the construction of aeroplanes, airports, repair shops,
meteorological stations, etc. and special training is to be
given to the pilots. The number of passengers travelling by
air as well as the quantity of cargo that can be accommodated8 Airport Engineering Ich. 1
is the smallest as compared to other means of transport
and hence, the fares are the highest.
Safety: The accidents of aeroplanes are peculiar and alarming
in nature. It has led to the psychological fear among the
passengers about the safety in air travel. It has therefore
become difficult to encourage the general public to travel by
air and to make them air-minded, especially in less advanced
countries,
(iv) Weather conditions: This mode of transport can operate
only under favourable climatic conditions. For instance, the
landing and taking off operations of aircraft will be totally
inconvenient during foggy days.
1-4. HISTORY OF AVIATION
In several ancient countries, there exist traditional stories of
unknown authorship relating to flying boats and airships. Even in
Ramayana, the. great popular Hindu epic, it is mentioned that Lord
Ram. returned to Ayodhya from Lanka in "Pushpak Viman" after
defeating and killing Ravana.
In the middle ages, the transport by air was considered as
impious and hence, there is no mention of this mode of transport
during this period. Mr. Roger Bacon studied the flight of birds
and he predicted in 1256 that the motive power required for
flying would be derived from fire.
In 1505, Mr. Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) wrote a book in
which he successfully incorporated the mechanical principles of
wing movement of birds. He studied bird’s motion, air resistance
to a body moving in air and airflow. He designed a parachute. He
sketched many flying machines using human muscle. It is understood
that two French brothers took flight in a balloon in 1763 and
Sir John Cayley made an unsuccessful attempt in 1842 at applying
steam-power to such flights.
During the American Civil War, Mr. Count Zeppelin, a young
German army officer, made observations in an anchored balloon
and after returning to Germany, he constructed a plane lighter
than air. This plane was fitted with all necessary apparatus and
Propelling machinery. He improved his airship and was able to
make successful flights over the Alps. The flights in his airship
were full of dangers of fire and storm. It was also not provided
with sufficient lighting power and there were many mechanical
drawbacks.Art, 1-4] Introduction 9
On December 17, 1903, a bicycle repairman by the name of
Orville Wright propelled himself through the air a distance of
35 m in the first powered flight in a heavier-than-air craft known
to man. The incident occurred at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina,
U.S.A. The two brothers, Mr. William Wright and Mr. Orville
Wright, were the pioneers in the construction and use of
heavier-than-air flying airships. In 1909, Mr. Bleriot, a French
aviator, crossed the English Channel for the first time in a monoplane
i.e. an aeroplane with a single supporting wing or plane surface.
The progress in air was very slow upto 1914.
The Zeppelin aeroplanes were freely used during First World
War (1914-18) by Germany for carrying the passengers from one
German city to another. As a matter of fact, the gigantic strides
were taken to produce efficient machines to suit the needs of
war. There was however no consideration for the cost of production.
But after the end of war, attention was diverted in reducing the
cost of production and improving the design of aircraft.
Following are some of the events worth noting with respect
to progress in aviation after the First World War:
(i) In 1918, the first international air service was started in
France between Toulouse and Barcelona.
(ii) In May 1918, the long distance air mail service was first
introduced in U.S.A. between Washington and New York.
(iii) In 1924, the night flying on trans-continental routes were
commenced.
(iv) In 1926, the North Pole was air-conquered when Admiral
Byrd of U.S. Navy with pilot Bennet flew from Amsterdam
Island to the North Pole and back, a distance of 2575 km
in about 16 hours.
(v) In 1927, Mr. Charles Lindberg, an American aviator, made
the first solo flight i.e. a flight in which no other person
participates, across the Atlantic from New York to Paris
in monoplane.
(vi) In 1929, the first plane-to-ground radio communication was
established after which the air-travel became reasonably
safe.
(vii) In May 1930, Miss Anny Johnson reached Karachi from
London in 6 days.
(viii) In 1930, the round-the-world flight was made in just 9
days by Post of U.S.A. and Gatty of Australia.10 Airport Engineering Ich. 1
(x) The first jet flight was made on August 27, 1939 in
Germany by the jet aircraft manufactured by Heinkel Aircraft
Company.
The Second World War (1939-45) made further impact on the
development and improvement of air transport techniques. In one
sense, it can be said that the development in aviation which took
place during six years of war was nearly equal to the one which
would have required nearly 25 to 30 years in normal peace time.
A vast network of passenger and freight carriage was set by the
nations at war with main aim of achieving more speed and minor
emphasis on cost and economy of operation. The bombers used
during the war were subsequently converted into commercial air
lines.
In 1944, the delegates from 52 countries met in Chicago,
U.S.A. to consider the problems of International Civil Aviation. As
per the recommendation of this convention, International Civil Aviation
Organization (ICAO) was set up on April 4, 1947 with its head-
quarters at Montreal, Canada. It is now a specialized agency of
UNO and is mainly concerned with the airport development. Since
then, the development in air navigation with respect to all its
aspects such as speed, landing facilities, etc. is quite steady,
The ICAO’s membership comprises of 151 sovereign States.
The ICAO has two governing bodies, the Assembly and the Council.
The Assembly is the sovereign body of ICAO and it meets every
3 years at place and time decided by the Council. The Council is
the permanent working group of (33 members elected by the
Assembly) the organization and is responsible to the Assembly for
discharging duties and obligations as per ICAO charter. The Council
elects its own President.
The objectives of ICAO as stated in its charter are to develo;
the principles and techniques of international air transportation so
as to:
(i) Insure the safe and orderly growth of the international civil
aviation throughout the world.
(i) Encourage the arts of aircraft design and operation for peaceful
purposes.
(iii) Encourage the development of airways, airports and air
navigation facilities for the international aviation.
(iv) Meet the needs of the peoples of the world for safe, regular,
efficient and economical air transport.Art. 1-5] Introduction W
(v) Prevent economic waste caused by unreasonable competition.
(vi) Insure that the rights of contracting States are fully respected
and that every contracting State has a fair opportunity to
operate international airlines.
(vii), Avoid discrimination between contracting States.
(viii) Promote safety of flight in the international air navigation.
(ix) Promote generally the development of all aspects of the
international civil aeronautics.
The ICAO works in close co-operation with other members of
the United Nations such as the World Meteorological Organization
(WMO), World Health Organization (WHO), etc. The ICAO Secretariat
is headed by a Secretary General and it is divided into the following
five divisions:
(1) air nagivation bureau;
(2) air transport bureau;
(3) bureau of administration and services;
(4) legal bureau; and
(5) technical assistance bureau.
In addition to the regular staff, the services of experts are taken
by loan from member States as and when required.
There are various other international organizations active in
the field of airport engineering. The International Airport Transport
Association (IATA) is such other organization. It has the strength
of more than 100 scheduled international carrier members and its
objectives are as follows:
(1) to promote the interests of civil aviation;
(2) to provide a forum for industry views;
(3) to establish industry practices; etc.
1-5. AIR TRANSPORTATION IN INDIA
The aviation developments in India took place rather late. The
first recorded flight in India was performed by a Frenchiaan Henri
Piquet when he carried mail from Allahabad to Naini in the year
1911. In the same year, Sir George Lloyd undertook the organization
of air flying between Bombay and Karachi. The air service between
these two cities was purely a government venture and it was
established as a temporary and experimental measure during the
winter season with the object of testing the extent to which air
mail service was likely to be used by the public. As soon asASIN
N)
12 Airport Engineering [Ch. 1
sufficient data regarding its running expenses had been collected,
it was found quite expensive as a commercial concern and hence,
it was closed down.
During the next two decades or so, India observed more or less
a complete dull period in the aviation activities. In 1927, the Civil
Aviation Department was established and this organization helped in
constructing a few aerodromes and forming of some flying clubs.
On December 30, 1929 a regular air service between Karachi
and Delhi was opened under the Imperial Airways Service. On
October 15 in 1932, the internal services were started by the
Tata Airways Ltd. It was an effective Indian enterprise which
conducted air service between Karachi and Madras once a week with
calls at Ahmedabad, Bombay and Hyderabad. In 1933, Indian Trans-
continental Airways Ltd. was formed for conducting the foreign flights.
The civil aviation in India made a great headway between 1933
and 1938. By the end of 1938, 153 aircrafts were registered with
details as follows:
65 for private individual flying
43 for training at flying clubs
31 for regular scheduled air services
14 for miscellaneous commercial services.
153 Total
The Second World War ave stimulus to air transport in India
and during 1939 to 1945, a large number of technical personnel
were trained and much experience was obtained in handling modern
machines. For Fecruiting students in air force, a good deal of propaganda
was also carried out in universities and colleges.
To have control over th
Licensing Board was est
establishment of this Bo:
activities was visible in
granted licenses to elever
'¢ air-operating companies, the Air Transport
‘ablished in October, 1946 and after the
ard, an all-round development in aviation
the country. Within two years, the Board
Nn air-operating companies.
India achieved political independence in 1947 and thereafter,
the development of air transport took place on scientific footing.
The Tata Airlines changed its name to Air India Limited. The
Govt. established another company known as Air India International
Ltd. for the external services. It inaugurated its first international
service to London on June 8, 1948.
The Air Transport Corporations Bill was introduced in the Lok
Sabha on March 21, 1953 and in Rajya Sabha, on May 14, 1953.Art. 1-5] Introduction 13
Under the provision of the Bill, the two corporations were established
— one for operating domestic services and other for operating
international services. Thus, the airlines were nationalised and the
two corporations began to function from August 1, 1953 with the
set up of organization as follows:
(1) Indian Airlines Corporation: It was organized for internal
air services and was formed by the merger of eight companies,
namely, Bharat Airways, Deccan Airways, Himalayan Aviation,
Airways India, Air India, Air Services of India, Kalinga Airways
and Indian National Airways.
(2) Air India International Corporation: It was organized for
conducting international air services from four international
airports, namely, Santa Cruz (Mumbai), Dum Dum (Kolkata), Palam
(Delhi), and Meenambakkam (Chennai). It may be noted that the
airport of Trivandrum was updated on 2-1-1991 as an international
airport, the first airport to attain this status after independence.
The upgradation of the Trivandrum airport meant the fulfilment of
a long-standing and pressing demand of Kerala and it would open
up an entirely new vista for the overall development of the State.
From 26-1-1991, the international flight has begun from the
city of Ahmedabad, Gujarat State known as Sardar Vallabhbhai
Patel International Airport. The airport of Anmedabad was however
continued to remain domestic. The Air India was operating five
times a week flights from Ahmedabad connecting passengers with
international flights from Bombay and Delhi to London and New
York. The construction work of the new terminal building for the
Ahmedabad airport is nearly completed and attempts are made to
provide it with modern navigational aids.
The installation of radar facility at the airport would make the
operations of domestic and international flights to be carried out
more efficiently. The majority of international flights zipping across
from West to East are flying over Ahmedabad after leaving Karachi
and the airport could handle any emergency landing of these flights
including that of advanced Boeing 747s. The airport is also provided
with two most sophisticated Australian-made navigational aids —
Daupler Very High Frequency Omni Range (DVOR) and
Distance Measuring Equipment (DME). The DVOR with its 51
antenna, known as “counter-pois" provides the most accurate direction
guidlines to the pilots between one airport and another within a
radius of 300 km.
The DME gives the exact distance between the aircraft and the
airport to the pilot. The Ahmedabad city airport has also the most14 Airport Engineering Ich. 1
ind technologically advanced radar system, namely, the
eee Rieoalee Secondary Surveillance Radar (MSSR) and the
Airport Surveillance Radar (ASR). It enhances air safety within a
range of 500 km encircling the city and thus, it has resulted in
tightening vigil over the States’s airspace.
At present, in 2009, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport
is India’s eighth busiest airport with an average of 150 aircraft
movements a day. It serves the metropolitan areas of two’ cities
in the State of Gujarat, Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar, and is
located 8 km from the Ahmedabad railway station. The airport is
spread over an area of 1124 acres i.e., 4.55 km2 with the runway
measuring 3600 m.
The airport consists of the three terminals:
(b) International and (c) Cargo. These terminals
airside facilities but are physically separated on thi
airport is currently under renovation. Once worl
airport’s 15 parking bays will increase to 45
international and domestic terminals will have 4 aert
At Domestic terminal, the d
(a) Domestic
use ‘the same
e landside The
k is complete,
and both the
‘o-bridges each.
eparture section has 20 check-in
counters, four aerobridges and three boarding gates. It also has
restaurants, book shops, retail outlets and a V.1.P, lounge. The arrivals
section has three luggage belts, a snack counter, bureau de change,
ground transport desks and a [Link]. lounge.
At International terminal there are 15 check-in counters. The
departure hall has a restaurant, a duty-free shop, a book-cum-gift
shop and other basic amenities. The arrival hall consists of one
entry gate, two luggage belts, a bureau de change and a snack
stall. A new international terminal is under construction. Once
complete, it will be double the size of the present terminal. The
state government is also looking into a new international airport
at Fedara, near the port town of Dholera in the Gulf of Khambhat,
YY growth of the frequency of domestic
al s ince the formation of these two corporations.
The Indian Airlines (IA) is a full member of the International
Airport Transport Association (IATA) and it also provides services
to the neighbouring countries, namely Burma, Ceylon, Afghanistan
and Nepal. In our country, the flying conditions are good and
distances are vast.
There has been stead
The Indian Airlines possesses a vast fleet of Airbuses, Boeings,
Caravelles, HS 748, Viscounts, Avros, Fokker Friendships and
Dakotas. Rapid economic growth in India has made air travelArt, 1-5] Introduction 15
more affordable. Air India, India’s flag carrier, presently operates
a fleet of 147 aircraft and plays a major role in connecting India
with the rest of the world. Several other foreign airlines connect
Indian cities with other major cities across the globe. India’s vast
unutilized air transport network has attracted several investments
in the Indian air industry in the past few years. More than half
a dozen low-cost carriers entered the Indian market in 2004-05.
Air Deccan, Jet Airways, Kingfisher Airlines, Spice Jet, Go Air,
Paramount Airways, IndiGo Airlines and Air India are the most
popular airlines in domestic air travel. Of these, Jet, Indian and
Kingfisher also operate overseas routes after the liberalization of
Indian Aviation. These airlines connect more than 80 cities across
India. However, a large section of country’s air transport system
remains untapped, even though the Mumbai-Delhi air corridor was
ranked 6th by the Official Airline Guide in 2007 among the world’s
busiest routes.
There are more than 335 domestic airports in India, 250 with
paved runways and 96 with unpaved runways and more than 20
international airports in the Republic of India. The Indira Gandhi
International Airport in Delhi and the Chhatrapati Shivaji International
Airport in Mumbai handle more than half of the air traffic in South
Asia. It is India’s busiest in terms of the number of daily flights.
The Vayudoot was incorporated as a jointly owned company of IA
and Al with an intention to provide low cost connections to the
inaccessible parts of the North East region. The short haul services
of the Vayudoot have also been introduced in other parts of the
country. The expansion of Vayudoot is indeed rapid and depending
upon the availability of aircrafts, infrastructural facilities, etc., it had
about 100 stations in the country.
Air India Limited is the national flag carrier airline of India,
flying a worldwide network of passenger and cargo services. Air
India is state-owned, and administered as part of the National
Aviation Company of India Limited - which was created in 2007
to facilitate merger of Air India with Indian Airlines. The main
bases of operation of the airline are Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji
International Airport and Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport.
Air India is the 16th largest airline in Asia, serving 28 destinations
worldwide, and, with its affiliated carriers, serves over 100 cities. Air
India was founded by J. R. D. Tata in 1932 as Tata Airlines, a division
of Tata Sons Ltd. (now Tata Group). On 15 October 1932, J. R. D.
Tata flew a single-engined De Havilland Puss Moth carrying air mail
(postal mail of Imperial Airways) from Karachi’s Drigh Roada Airport Engineering Ich. 1
Aerodrome to Bombay’s Juhu Airstrip via Ahmedabad. The aircraft
continued to Madras via Bellary piloted by former Royal Air Force
pilot Nevill Vintcent. '
After the end of World War II, regular commercial service
was restored in India and Tata Airlines became a public limited
company on 29 July 1946 and known as Air India. In 1948, ‘after
the Independence of India, 49% of the airline was acquired by the
Government of India, with an option to purchase an additional
2%. In return, the airline was granted status to operate international
services from India as the designated flag carrier under the name
Air India International. On 8 June 1948, a Lockheed Constellation
L-749A named Malabar Princess and registered VT-CQP’took off
from Bombay for London via Cairo and Geneva. This marked the
airline's first long-haul international flight, soon followed by
service in 1950 to Nairobi via Aden.
On 1 August 1953, the Government of India exercised its
Option to purchase a majority stake in the carrier and Air India
International Limited was born as one of the fruits of the Air
Corporations Act that nationalised the air transportation industry.
At the same time all domestic services were transferred to Indian
Airlines. In 1954, the airline took delivery of its first L-1049
Super Constellations and inaugurated services to Bangkok, Hong
Kong, Tokyo and Singapore,
In 1960, Air India International entered the jet age when its
, named. Nandadevi_ was delivered. On 8
ine’s name was officially truncated to Air India.
Air India became the world’s first all-jet airline.
Moved its offices to downtown Mumbai.
ne took delivery of its first Boeing 747-
palace in the sky. A distinctive
Paintwork around each aircraft
r 'yle of windows in Indian Palaces.
lelivery of the Airbus A310-300; the airline
On 11 June 1962,
In 1970, Air India
The next year, the airli
200B named Emperor Ashoka the
feature of this air craft is the
window, in'the cusped arch st
In 1986 Air India took d
had a golden sun on a red tail, Only applied to around a half of
Air India’s fleet, the new livery did not Succeed, as the Indian
flying public complained about the phasing out of the classic
colours. The new livery was dropped after two years and the old
scheme was returned.
“ASArt. 1-5] Introduction 17
In 1993, Air India took delivery of the flagship of its fleet
when the first Boeing 747-400 named Konark and made history
by, operating the first non-stop flight between New York and Delhi.
It was a part of major fleet renewal scheme and modernisation to
prepare the country to attract the foreign tourists of 21st century.
This‘ aircraft is controlled by the latest system of computers and
it is designed in such a way that it can be loaded and unloaded
in seven minutes only.
The interiors of the aircraft are made to suit the Indian
traditions and all types of comfort are offered to the passengers.
The first Boeing 747-400 joined the Air Indian on August 14,
1993 at the cost of Rs. 500 crores. The peculiarity of this aircraft
is that it is named as Boeing 747-400 because the sum total of
all of its facilities comes to 747400 as shown below:
Gross weight which can be carried in kg eed 377800
Fuel capacity in litre oe 216000
Maximum pay load in kg we 59900
Engine thrust in Ibs eed 56750
Maximum height in sky in m ae 13745
Non-stop distance in m aoa 13340
Baggage pieces in no. oO 3400
Distance in m for seat belt sign eae 3140
Capacity in litre of four tanks con 1600
Speed per hour in mile een 575
Capacity of passengers in no. wee 417
Switches in nos. in cockpit oa 365
Electric supply in watt we 115
Nos. of bottles stored in cabin ea 35
Seats in nos. for cabin crue eo 23
Audio entertainment channels in no. 0 18
Personal T.V. in nos. in first class pee 16
Intercoms in nos. pa 15
Toilets in nos. 5
Catering shelves in no. faa 13
Doors in no. aa 12
Exits in emergency in no. fad 12
Monitors to see Video in no. es 1"
Basins in no. : 11
continue next page ..---18 Airport Engineering Ich. 1
Fire hydrants in no.
Slide reflectors in no.
Skyphones in no.
[Link]. in no. for video programme
Closets for keeping coats and hats in no.
First aid kits in no.
Engines in no.
Radio beacons in no. for sending signals
Water taps in no.
Seats in no. for rest of crew members
Toilets in no. for old and handicapped
Crew brunks in no.
Life ray fits in no.
Wings in no. for take-off
Megaphones in no.
Kit for doctors in no.
Cart for lifting food in no.
Wheel chair in no. for old ai
\.FS. to lead crew
Total 7 747400
__ ln 1994 it was registered as Air India Ltd. In 1996, the
airline inaugurated service to its second US gateway at O’Hare
International Airport in Chicago. In 1999, the airline opened its
dedicated Terminal 2-C at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport
in Mumbai.
In 2000, Air India intro
to Los Angeles and Newark,
wholly-owned low cost airline
3
ind handicapped...
AAA ANNNNWYHRE RREUHDAVNG
routes to include non-stop flights from Ahmedabad and also
Operations from Bangalore and Hyderabad.
On International Women’s Day, 8th March 2004,
operated an All Women Flight fro
airline has seventeen female pilots,
the airline
m Mumbai to Singapore. The
, including five trainee pilots.
In 2007, the Government announced the merging of Air India
with Indian Airlines and a new company called the National Aviation
Company of India Limited (or NACIL) was established, After merging,Art. 1-7] Introduction 19
the airline, which will continue is known as Air India having
headquarter at Mumbai. Air India will become a full Staf Alliance
member in 2010.
India has the world’s fastest growing airline industry. However,
increasing fuel prices resulted in a 4% decline in air traffic in
June 2008. Increasing competition of other major Indian airlines
like Jet Airways and Kingfisher Airlines has pushed Air India to
third place in India in terms of market share. On 1 March 2009
Air India made Frankfurt Airport its Global Aviation Hub for its
North American Operations.
1-6. INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY OF INDIA (IAAI)
The International Airport Authority of India (IAAI) was set
up in April, 1972 for the operation, management, planning and
development of all international airports. However, the facilities
of air traffic control, aeronautical communication and nevigation
are provided to these international airports by the Civil Aviation
Department.
The IAAI has done appreciable modernization of four
international airports in our country. It has been given construction
work and consultancy services in foreign countries also. It was
given first foreign project in 1976 for the construction of airport
complex of Ghat Airport at Libya with a total cost of
70 million U.S. dollars. It carried out extensive construction
activities at Hulule Airport, Maldives, P.D.R. Yemen and Malaysia
involving millions of U.S. dollars. At Yemen it has successfully
completed Riyan Airport project and Alghaidha Airport project
during 1980 to 1986.
It has also provided consultancy services to Plaissance Airport,
Mauritius and Batna Airport and Setif Airport at Algeria for
pavement design and other allied items of airport design. It
has also carried out extension work of runway at Republic of
Nauru and development of Mafia Arport at Tanzania during
1982 to 1986, The dynamic planners, aviation engineers and
financial experts have given global fame to the IAAI with respect
to the planning, design, construction, consultancy, management
and various other aspects of Airport Engineering. On April 1, 1995
it is being merged with AAI.
1-7. CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT
The National Airport Authority (NAA) was established on
June 1, 1986 through an Act of Parliament and it is managed by a20 Airport Engineering ICh. 1
board consisting of Chairman, four full-time members and eight
part-time members.
The main object of NAA is to ensure the highest standard of air
traffic control by using modern sophisticated equipments and to
maintain the international standards with respect to air traffic control,
aeronautical communications, ground safety operations, etc.
The major responsibilities of NAA can be enumerated as follows:
(1) to ensure the safety of all the operations performed by the
aircrafts;
(2) to manage all domestic civil airports and civil enclaves;
(3). to provide all the essential facilities like managing the
runways, technical buildings, air traffic control services,
airport environment, civil aviation training centres,
navigational and radar services at domestic and international
airports, visual aid ground safety service at domestic
airports, etc,
The regulatory functions such as airworthiness of aircraft, licensing
of personnel, approval of tarrifs, preparation of schedules, etc.
are looked after by the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA),
The achievements of NAA are numerous and deserve to be
appreciated. The NAA, with its future plans and well-managed vast
network of airspace, is hopeful to meet the challenges to be faced
by the civil aviation department in 21st century.
1-8. AIRPORT AUTHORITY oF INDIA (AAI)
__ The AAI was formed on April 1, 1995 by merging the National
Airports Authority (NAA) and the International Airports Authority
of India (IAAI), to create a Centralized organization that could
the international and domestic airports
integrated development, expansion and
erational, terminal and cargo facilities at
try conforming to international standards.
at Defence airfields. The Corporate head.
Bhawan, Safdarjung Airport, New Delhi
owned by the Government of India. AAI generates its revenue
from landing or parking fees and fees collected by providing Air
Traffic Control services to aircraft over the Indian airspace. Despite
of many tragic occurrences like 9/11, Afghan war, Iraq war and
quarters are at Rajiv Gandhi
. Presently, it is completelyArt. 1-9] Introduction 21
SARS that struck the Civil Aviation sector the world over during
the last few years and left it bleeding, Airports Authority of India
(AAI) has persistently come up with good results, showing all
around growth including increased revenue and higher level of
profitability while building up the infrastructure.
AAl’s successful implementation of Automatic Dependence
Surveillance system, using indigenous technology, at Calcutta and
Chennai Air Traffic Control Centres, gave India the distinction of
being the first country to use this advanced technology in the
South East Asian region enabling effective Air Traffic Control over
oceanic areas using satellite mode of communication. Use of remote
controlled VHF coverage, alongwith satellite communication links,
has given added strength to our Air Traffic Management System.
Following are the functions of AAI:
(i) It controls and manages the Indian airspace extending
beyond the territorial limits of the country, as accepted by
ICAO.
(ii) It provides services like design, development, operation
and maintenance of International and Domestic Airports
and Civil Enclaves.
(iii) It carries out construction, modification and management
of passenger terminals.
(iv) It provides passenger facilities and information system at
the passenger terminals.
(v) It carries out expansion and strengthening works for runways,
taxiways, aprons, hangars, etc.
(vi) It provides visual aids at airports.
(vii) It also provides communication and navigational aids
like Radar, DVOR, DME, etc.
1-9. OPEN SKY POLICY
January 29, 1994 marked an important day in the calendar
of civil aviation of our country.
The Air Transport Corporation Act of 1953 was repealed for
introducing the open sky policy. The private airlines are now
permitted to fly in air under the supervision of DGCA.
Among the various private air operators, the currently largest
is the East West with 11 planes. The other important operators
are Damania Airways, Jet Airways, Modiluft, Sahara Airways, etc.22 Airport Engineering Ich. 1
The introduction of open sky policy will certainly improve the
air travel conditions because of competition among Indian Airlines
(IA) and the private operators.
1-10. AIRPORT TERMINOLOGY
Following are some of the important terms and definitions,
the meanings of which are explained at this stage, for the easy
understanding of the subject of airport engineering:
(1) Aerodrome: Any defined area on land or water (including
any buildings, installations and equipment) intended to be used
for the arrival and departure of an aircraft is called aerodrome.
It may be provided with the facilities for shelter and repair of
aircraft and also for processing of passengers, baggage, mail and
cargo. It may not necessarily be used for all scheduled air flights.
Sometimes the term aerodrome is used to mean an airport.
_ (2) Aeroplane: An aeroplane is a power-driven heavier-than-air
flying machine with fixed wings. It derives its lift in atmosphere
chiefly from the aerodynamic reactions on its surfaces.
(3) Aircraft: An aircraft is a general term which is used to
Head any machine for navigating the air and deriving support
aon the reactions of the air. It may or may not be power
sine rt may be lighter or heavier than air. It thus includes
peep aeror ane, qrelicopter, rocket, etc. An aircraft which
ere ° ed less than the speed of sound is a subsonic
the speed of See which travels with a speed greater than
ee aero 'S a supersonic aircraft. The speed of sound
Pp mperature and it increases with the increase
1730 le eh The average speed of sound may be taken as
(4) Airfield: An airfield is an area which is used for landing and
take off of an aircraft. It may or may not be provided with facilities
for convenience of passen, .
FI gers and for shel aA
of aircraft. ter, repair and servicing
(5) Airport: An airport is an aerodr
intended for the use of commercial se
custom facilities in addition to other nort
international traffic.
ome which is principally
rvices. It is provided with
‘mal facilities, if it serves any
(6) Airport capacity: The number of aircraft movements which
an airport can process or handle within a specified period of time,
usually an hour, is called the airport capacity. A landing or take off
Operation is taken as one movement.Art, 1-10] Introduction 23
(7) Airport established elevation: It is the elevation above
mean sea level of the highest point of the landing area.
(8) Airships: A power driven lighter-than-air aircraft is known as
an airship.
(9) Approach area or approach zone: An aircraft neither gains
or loses height all at once, but does so gradually along an inclined
path. The approach area or approach zone indicates the wide area on
either side of a particular runway upto a certain distance which is
kept clear of any obstruction. The centre-line of approach area coincides
with that of the runway. The area on ground is trapezoidal in shape
with its width increasing from the runway-end outwards. The approach
areas are measured on horizontal surfaces.
(10) Approach surface: A line rising at a particular slope from
the runway-end represents the obstruction clearance line and the
imaginary inclined plane containing this line and directly above the
approach area is known as approach surface.
(11) Apron: It indicates a defined area of the airport to
accommodate aircrafts for loading and unloading of cargo and
passengers, parking, refueling, etc. It is usually paved and is
located in front of the building or adjacent to hangars.
(12) Balloon: A non-power-driven and lighter-than-air aircraft
is known as balloon.
TABLE 1-1
BEAUFORT SCALE
Beaufort Description Velocity at a standard height of 10 m
No, above flat open ground in km p.h.
0 Calm 1.60
1 Light 3.20
2 Slight breeze 8
3 Gentle breeze 16
4 Moderate breeze 24
5 Fresh breeze 34
6 Strong breeze 43
7 Moderate gale 56
8 Gale 67
9 Strong gale 80
10 Whole gale 95
1 Storm 110
12 Hurricane Greater than 12024 Airport Engineering [Ch. 1
(13) Beaufort scale: In 1805, Admiral Beaufort of the British
Navy, devised a scale of wind force and it is widely known
after his name. It Consists of numbers 0 to 12 and higher
numerals are indicative of higher speeds. The International
Meteorological Committee for wind velocities adopted the scale
in 1874 as a part of the code employed in communicating
the weather conditions. Table 1-1 gives the phrases along
with the corresponding Beaufort numbers and approximate wind
velocities.
(15) Boundary lights: The a
delineate or trace the ou:
known as boundary light
(16) Boundary marke:
of a landing area are kn:
eronautical ground lights which
tline of the boundary of a landing area are
rs: The markers used to indicate th
own as boundary markers.
(17) Calm period: The absence of appreciable wind, general
considered as 6 km p.h. or less, is called the calm period, The
knowledge of calm periods of a particular place throughout the year
plays an important role in designing an airport.
(18) Cargo: The term cargo is used to indicate the fi
than passengers, baggage and mail, which is carried b
aircraft.
ie boundary
reight, other
ya transport
(19) Clearway: It is defined as a rectangular area at the end of
a strip or channel in the direction of take off over which the aircraft
may make its initial climb.
(20) Conical surface:
of an imaginary hollow i
outwards from the Periphe:
of 1 in 20 measured in a
(21) Control area: The airspace of defined dimension within
which air traffic control is exercised is known as control area.
(22) Control tower: A tower which is usually situated at
the top of the terminal building with its walls enclosed in glass
enabling the operator to have an unobstructed view of the entire
airfield is known as control tower. It controls the air traffic at the
airport by supervising an
d directing the flight of the arriving and
departing aircrafts within the airport control area,
It is the internal surface of the frustum
inverted cone extending upwards and
Ty of the horizontal surface with a slope
vertical plane.Art. 1-10] Introduction lS \
Of LIBRARY JO}
(23) Control zone: The term control zone is (ey to indicate /
an airspace of defined dimension within which rulds*dditionalto-
those governing flight in control area apply for the Sélection. of
air traffic. ~
(24) CTOL: The term CTOL is used to mean the conventional
take off and landing.
(25) Design landing weight: The maximum aeroplane weight
for landing conditions at the maximum velocity of descent is known
as design landing weight. ~ oy pm
(26) Design take off weight: The maximum Ramo weight
for flight load conditions is known as design take off weight and it
is used for the structural design of the runways, taxiways and aprons.
(27) Elevator: The movable part of the tail whose only purpose
is to grant longitudinal control for achieving longitudinal stability is
known as elevator.
(28) Flight time: The total time from the moment an aircraft
first moves under its own power for the purpose of taking off to
the moment it comes to rest at the end of the flight is known as
flight time.
(29) Flight visibility: The term flight visibility is used to indicate
the average range of visibility in forward direction from the cockpit
of an aircraft in flight.
(30) Fuselage: It indicates the main body of an aircraft to which
wings and other parts are attached.
(31) Gate position: The space allotted to an aircraft parking at
a loading apron is known as gate position.
(32) Hangar: The large shed erected at the airport for the purpose
of housing, servicing and repairing of aircrafts is known as hangar.
(33) Helicopter: It is a type of an aeroplane in which the
machine is equipped with one or more lifting propellers rotating
horizontally about an approximately vertical axis.
(34) Heliport: The area for landing and taking off of helicopter
is known as heliport.
(35) Holding apron: It is the designated portion placed adjacent
to the ends of runways for allowing to check aircraft instruments
and engine operation prior to take off and also to wait till clearance
for take off is given.
(36) Horizontal surface: The imaginary horizontal surface which
is circular in plan and which is located at a level of 45 m above the
airport established elevation is known as horizontal surface.26 . Airport Engineering Ich. 1
(37) Instrument landing system (ILS): The aircraft, by this
system of landing, is brought to rest upon the ground with
the help, of radio beam facilities installed on the airport and the
manipulation of the control instruments by the operator of the
aircraft as directed by the radio beams. The ILS thus provides
lateral and vertical guidance to the aircraft during landing and it
is also popularly known as blind landing system. During bad
weather conditions and poor visibility, the operator can make
safe landing of aircraft without seeing the runway with the help
of ILS.
(38) Instrument runway: The runway which is adequately
equipped with the radio beam facilities and on which landing can be
made according to ILS rules is known as an instrument runway.
(39) International airport: It is an airport which handles
international air traffic and functions according to international
aviation rules framed by ICAO. It serves as a place of entry and
departure from the country and necessary facilities for customs,
immigration and other procedures are also provided on such an
airport.
(40) International air service: The air service which passes or
crosses the air space of the territory of more than one country is
known as an international air service.
(41) Landing area: The portion of airport, excluding the terminal
area, which is used for landing and take off of the aircraft is
known as landing area.
(42) Landing strip: A long and narrow area which is suitable for
the landing and take off of the aircrafts is known as landing strip,
It forms part of an airport and it consists of a runway plus the
shoulders on either side of the runway.
__, (43) Mach number: The speed relative to the speed of sound is
indicated by a number known as Mach number. Mach 1 means the
speed which is equal to that of sound.
(44) Missed approach: When landing is not effective after an
instrument approach, it is known as missed approach.
(45) Parachute: The device resembling an umbrella made of silk
sheet with cords attached to it and Opening automatically on the
pulling of a rip-cord is known as parachute. When in use, it breaks
the speed of a falling person or object from a great height under
gravitational force. The parachute jumping can be treated as a sport
and it can be carried out from the aircrafts flying at great heights.Art. 1-10] Introduction 27
(46) Pressure altitude: The altitude at which the pressure
corresponding to the standard atmosphere is obtainable is known as
pressure altitude.
(47) Rudder: It is one of the major controls while the aircraft is
in flight. It helps the pilot to turn the nose of the aeroplane in any
particular direction. It can move to and fro about a vertical axis
through about 30°. It is usually hinged to the fin at the tail.
(48) Runway: It is defined as a long and comparatively narrow
strip of land which is selected or prepared for the landing and take
off of aircraft along its length. It is usually paved except for small
aerodromes.
(49) Standard atmosphere: It is a fictitious atmosphere of dry
air and it has been defined by the ICAO to have the following
conditions: z
i) The air is a perfect dry gas.
The temperature at sea level is 15°C.
(iii), The pressure at sea level is 760 mm of mercury.
(iv) The temperature gradient from sea level to the altitude at
which the temperature becomes -15.5°C is -0.0065°C
per m and zero above.
(50) STOL: It indicates short take off and landing.
(51) Stolport: The area used for landing and take off of STOL
aircrafts is known as stolport.
(52) Stopway: It is defined as a rectangular area at the end of
the runway in the direction of take off in which an aircraft can be
stopped after an interrupted take off. Its width is equal to the width
of runway and thickness sufficient to bear the weight of the aircraft.
(53) Surveillance radar: The radar which provides an overall
picture of the surrounding atmosphere within a radius of 50 km to
100 km is known as surveillance radar. It moves through 360° and
the information about any aircraft within the range is received on a
scope in the form of pip or dot having a luminous tail behind and
thus indicating the path of its movement.
(54) Taxiway: A defined path on a land aerodrome, selected or
paved for the use of taxiing aircraft to and from the runway and
loading apron is known as taxiway.
(55) Terminal area: The portion of the airport other than the
landing area is known as terminal area and it includes terminal
building, aircraft apron, cargo storage building, hangars, automobile
parking area, etc.28 Airport Engineering [ch. 1
(56) Terminal building: The building or buildings which are
meant for providing facilities to all passengers, for serving as office
for airport management and for carrying out other non-aeronautical
functions are known as terminal buildings. They act as focal points
of the terminal area.
(57) Transition surface: The imaginary inclined plane with a
slope of 1:7 measured upward and outward in a vertical plane at
right angles to the centre-line of the runway is known as transition
surface.
(58) Visual flight rules (VFR): The rules which are observed for
the landing of an aircraft by visual reference to the ground are
known as VFR. When the weather conditions are good, the landing
of an aircraft is made by making use of VFR.
(59) Visibility: The greatest distance to which a prominent object
of certain specified dimension is perceivable to the eye, the object
being observed in the day light during day and properly lit during
night under the existing atmospheric conditions is known as visibility.
(60) Wind rose: The diagram showing direction, duration and
intensity of wind over a certain period in a specified region is known
as wind rose. Its shape resembles a rose.
(61) Zero fuel weight: The term zero fuel weight is used to
indicate the weight above which all additional weight must be in fuel.
(62) Zoning: It pertains to the enactment of legislation for a
restricted development of the area surrounding the airport so that no
structure protrudes above the obstruction clearance line and thus
cause hazard to safe air navigation, especially in the approach and
turning areas.
1-11. COMPONENT PARTS OF AEROPLANE
Following are the seven essential parts of an aeroplane:
(1) Engine
(2) Flaps
(3) Fuselage
(4) Propeller
(5) Three controls
(6) Tricycle undercarriage
(7) Wings.
Fig. 1-1 shows the component parts of an aeroplane. Each of the
above component will now be described briefly.Art. 1
qd
11) Introduction 29
Vertical fin Rudder
Yo
Elevator
Component parts of an aeroplane
Fic. 1-1
) Engine: The main purpose of providing an engine to the
aircraft is to make available the force for propelling the aircraft
through the air. According to the method of propulsion, the aircrafts
can be classified in the following three categories:
(i)
Piston engine
(ii) Jet engine
(iii) Rocket engine.
(i)
Piston engine: These are the conventional types of aircraft
engines which are suitable to operate at low altitudes with
moderate speeds. The aircraft is provided with gasoline fed
reciprocating engine which is driven by propeller or airscrew.
The engine rotates a shaft with a huge torque and the
torque so developed is absorbed by the propeller, mounted
on the shaft. When the rated speed is attained by the propeller,
large quantity of air is hurled rearward which pulls the
aircraft forward and lifts the wings.
(ii) Jet engine: The main advantage of the jet engine is that it
eliminates propellers and thus, the aircrafts can move at high
altitudes at high forward speeds. It thus eliminates the
main drawback of piston engine and for the purpose of
convenience, it can be grouped in the following three types:
(a) Turbo jet: In case of turbo jet aircrafts, the hot exhaust
gases having high velocity give a forward thrust to the
engine. It is reported that the gases coming out with
the speed of 1600 km p.h. may push the plane with the
speed of about 800 km p.h. The efficiency of aircraft is
greatly improved at high altitudes because of the
following two reasons:Airport Engineering [Ch. 1
(1) There is drop in the atmospheric density and thus,
the resistance to passage of aircraft is reduced.
(2) There is great temperature difference through the
turbine.
Turbo propulsion: The performance of turbo propulsion
aircraft is similar to that of turbo jet except that a
propeller is provided in it. However, its performance is
equally satisfactory in low as well as high altitudes as
compared to the turbo jet which gives better performance
at moderate altitudes. The speed of turbo propulsion is
limited by the propeller efficiency.
(c) Ram jet: It is a jet engine which does not have any
moving parts. The fuel flow and combustion are
continuous. The spark plug is used at the start only.
The heated air expands and rushes out of the exhaust
nozzle at high velocity which creates the jet. The
main features of this aircraft are simplicity of design
and high speeds of about 1280 to 2400 km p.h.
However, the consumption of fuel is very high. It is
used as pilotless aircraft for guided missiles.
The jet engines have numerous attractive features over the
conventional engines and they can be enumerated as follows:
(1) No radiators or other cooling devices are required.
(2) The chances of fire hazards are decreased.
(3) The controls are simple.
(4) The operation is noiseless.
(5) The specific weight is low.
(6) There are no vibrations.
(b)
(7) There is less consumption of lubricating oil.
(8) There is no necessity of spark plugs or carburettors.
The jet engine because of its man:
universally recognised as Proper mos
and the conventional aircrafts proy
are replaced by jet aircrafts,
Rocket engine: The manner of Production of thrust in
case of rocket engine is the same as that of the ram jet
except that it does not depend on the oxygen in the
atmosphere for the combustion. It carries its own supply
advantages has been
de of aircraft propulsion
pelled by piston enginesArt, 1-11] Introduction 31
of oxygen and hence, it can operate at high altitude or
outside oxygen bearing atmosphere at extremely high
speed of about 4600 km p.h. However, the rocket engine
has the highest specific fuel consumption as compared
to all other engines.
An aeroplane may have one, two, three or four engines.
The engine is placed in the nose of the aircraft for a single
engined aeroplane. If engines are two or four in number,
they are placed symmetrically about the nose of the aircraft.
In case of aircraft with three engines, one is placed in the
nose and one on each side of the two wings.
The advantages of using more than one engine are as
follows:
(a) Chances of accidents: In case of multi-engined aircraft,
it is possible to continue the flying even if one engine
has failed or gone out of order till area for safe landing
is reached. Thus, the chances of accidents are greatly
reduced.
(b) Increase in power: Depending upon the number of
engines, the power and weight carrying capacity of the
aircraft are increased proportionally.
(c)_ Reliability: A single engine even of highly sophisticated
nature cannot be relied upon for its performance for all
the time. If a breakdown occurs during flying, it becomes
difficult for the pilot to avoid crash unless satisfactory
landing ground is available. Thus, the multi-engined
aircrafts are more reliable.
(2) Flaps: A flap is a hinged section of an airplane wing, used
in landing or take off. The flaps, when projected into air, produce
an immediate reduction in speed of the aircraft and thus, they are
intended to serve as air brakes. They are fitted only to the inner
portion of the wing and it is so arranged that the flaps on either
side are pulled down together. They are somewhat similar to the
ailerons and it is so arranged that they can be operated by the
pilot from his cabin.
The flaps provide necessary lift at low speed and hence, they are
helpful for landing the aircraft satisfactorily. Thus, they serve as an
important control during the landing operation of the aircraft.
(3) Fuselage: It provides space for the accommodation of the
plant, fuel, cockpit, cargo, passengers, mail, service tables, ovens,
bathrooms, etc. It must possess the following characteristics:32 Airport Engineering Ich. 1
()__ It is shaped to a fine point at the rear end and yet it should
not be too fine so as to make it unable to resist twisting
stresses due to the wind.
(ii) It must be large enough to give sufficient tankage space.
But at the same time, it should be as small as possible to
reduce the wind resistance.
(ii) It should have enough depth for strength. But it should not
be very deep because in that case, the side area may become
very large which is undesirable for safety and efficiency.
(4) Propeller: The propeller is provided in the conventional piston
engine as well as in the turbo propulsion engine. It has usually
two or more blades which are driven round in a circular path. The
blades deflect air backwards with an acceleration and thus, forward
thrust is imparted to the aeroplane. When the engine and propeller
are in front, the machine is described as a tractor type. When the
engine and airscrew are behind the wing, it is known as a pusher
installation. The latter type is generally not preferred.
(5) Three controls: An aircraft in space can move in three
principal axes, namely X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis, as shown in fig. 1-2.
a
| axis a,
: 4%,
: Ry | ye
os
e
Elevator
Fic, 1-2
The movement of aircraft about the X-axis is called the /ateral or
rolling movement. This axis passes through the centre-line of nose
and tail of the aircraft.Art, 1-11] Introduction 33
A hinged flap, known as aileron, is fixed in the trailing edge
of wing near the wing tip to serve as control of the aircraft along
X-axis or longitudinal axis.
The aileron is rigged in such a way that when in one wing is
pulled up, that in other wing is pulled down. The net effect of doing
these operations simultaneously is to give a very powerful rolling
control to the aircraft about its X-axis. The function of aileron is to
enable the pilot to balance the aeroplane when it is tilted by a gust
of wind. It also permits to tilt the machine purposely, say when the
aeroplane is describing a circle and it is desired to tilt it laterally.
The movement of aircraft about the Y-axis is called the pitching.
This axis passes through the centre-line of wings and it is perpendicular
to the X-axis. The elevator in the form of two flaps is provided
at the extreme rear end of fuselage to control the pitching or up
and down movements of the aircraft. The elevator is capable of
moving up and down through an angle of 50° to 60°. The flaps
of elevator are hinged to a fixed horizontal surface known as
stabilizer or tail plane. When the elevator flap is raised, there is
increased air pressure on it which results in tail to go down and
nose to point up. When the air pressures are equal at the top
and bottom of the flaps, the elevator is in a neutral position and
the aircraft flies along the normal line of flight.
The movement of aircraft about the Z-axis is called the yawing.
This axis passes at right angles through the meeting point of X-axis
and Y-axis. The turning or yawing movement of the aircraft to the
right or left of the vertical axis through an angle of about 30° is
achieved by the rudder which consists of a stream-lined flap hinged
to a vertical axis at the tail end of the fuselage. The rudder makes
it possible to steer the aeroplane in the air along Z-axis.
Thus, there are three devices in an aircraft to control the movements
in three directions, namely, aileron, elevator and rudder. The combined
assembly of elevator and rudder provided at the tail end of the
fuselage is also known as the empennage. It is also so arranged that
each control can be operated by the pilot from his cabin.
(6) Tricycle undercarriage: The landing-gear system which is
provided to support aircraft while it is in contact with the ground is
known as tricycle undercarriage and it serves the following two
main purposes:
(i) To enable easy manoeuvring: The suitable assembly of
wheels allows the aircraft to move on the runway carrying
its entire weight.34 Airport Engineering [ch 1 |
(ii) To permit smooth landing: The aircraft during landing
touches the ground with certain vertical velocity. A certain
amount of energy has therefore to be dissipated during the
touch down operation. The undercarriage permits this
phenomena to occur as smoothly as possible.
Fig. 1-3 shows the basic wheel configurations or arrangements
of the aircraft landing-gear system.
L Tail wheel 4 Nose “ i
L
_ Main Za TS Main gear
(Single wheel assembly) . __ Gingle wheel assembly)
@) ) j
Je Main gear ‘
ual wheel assembly) a
Nose
wheels
Tf --- Gey i
. a
Twin tandem gear
(©) @)
Twin-Twin gear
\ a
Wing wheels
Twin-Twin gear
©
Aircraft wheel arrangements
Fic, 1-3
There are generally two main Sears which are provided in the
fuselage or in the wings near the junction of fuselage and wings. The
major portion of the load to the extent of about 90% is carried by
these two main gears. The third wheel is provided either at the tail
as shown in fig. 1-3(a) or at the nose as shown in fig. 1-3(b) and
it carries only a very small portion of about 10% of total load,Art. 1-11] Introduction 35
The provision of third wheel at tail is not preferred because it
keeps the nose up and the wings are at greater angle of incidence.
If wind blowing is powerful, the aircraft may be lifted off the ground
or pushed backwards even when it is stationary and the engine is not
working. On the other hand, when the third wheel is kept at the
nose, it keeps the nose in down position and the wing angle is
reduced. However, such an arrangement is slightly inconvenient for
the loading of the goods and passengers.
If at each of the three points, there is one wheel only, the
arrangement ‘is known as single wheel assembly, as shown in
fig. 1-3(a) and fig. 1-3(b). If there are two wheels at each of the
three points of support, as shown in fig. 1-3(c), the arrangement
is known as dual wheel assembly. \f the nose point has two
wheels and the main gear consists of four points of support,
each point having two wheels, the assembly is known as twin
tandem gear assembly, as shown in fig. 1-3(d). In this case, there
are eight main gear wheels in two rows in tandem and each row
has two points of support. Thus, there are two main gear wheels
at each point as in the case of dual wheel assembly.
When one of the main gears has more than one wheel, it is
known as multi-wheel assembly and such an arrangement allows
the aircraft load to be distributed over a large area of runway
pavement and its thickness can be reduced.
The two main gears along with nose or tail gear forms the
tricycle arrangement. When the load is distributed on two gear
assemblies placed along the axis of the fuselage without any nose or
tail wheel, as shown in fig. 1-3(e), the system is known as twin-twin
bicycle gear arrangement.
(7) Wings: An aircraft is provided with wings to support the
machine in the air. The term aerofoil is used to mean a winglike
structure which may be flat or curved and is designed to obtain
reactions upon its surface from the air through which it moves. The
wings are slightly curved in section and are set at a small angle of
incidence to the horizontal. Fig. 1-4 shows the various parts of a
cambered aerofoil.
It is easy to understand how a cambered aerofoil obtains the
vertical lift from air pressure. As shown in fig. 1-5, the areas of
reduced pressure and increased pressure are formed simultaneously
on the top surface and bottom surface of the aerofoil because of its
streamline shape. A cambered aerofoil receives a current of air in an
upward direction and directs it downwards. Thus, a lift reaction is
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