Pollite backs India’s approach to airport safety

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UK fibreglass mast manufacturer Pollite is reminding airports globally of the importance of installing thoroughly tested frangible ground handling infrastructure, in light of new recommendations released to Air India.

Recommendations from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Airports Authority of India and the Ministry of Civil Aviation pertaining to the Mangalore Air Crash which claimed 158 lives in May 2010, asks airports in India to become more compliant with the requirement of frangibly-mounted structures, citing Calicut and Mangalore airport antennae supporting structures as examples.

The recommendations come in light of new figures obtained by Pollite that show 40% of occasions where air craft suffered overrun upon take off, ended in fatalities, backing up research from the CAA Safety Regulation Group that found there were 32 major accidents worldwide between 1996 and 2006, which resulted in 623 fatalities.

The importance of having frangible-mounted structures within airports is an issue that will never go away. Calicut and Mangalore airports have both installed frangible airport antennae that break upon impact, dramatically reducing the risk of fatalities upon runway take off errors. As one of just three approach mast manufacturers globally that are certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Pollite understands more than most how crucial it is for ground handling equipment to break on impact in light of an aircraft take-off failure.

The FAA is strict on such matters, requiring airport infrastructure to go through a series of rigorous frangibility tasks, including solar radiation and salt spray testing. It is important for approach poles to be weatherproof and not vulnerable to the natural environment. Resistance to animals, wear and tear, extremes of temperature and magnetic interference are all important factors to consider to ensure that approach poles only break when you need them to – upon impact.

Adrian Harrison, Managing Director of Darlington-based Pollite said: “It is great to see India putting the spotlight on frangibility. Approach poles are a small part of airport infrastructure that can lead to additional fatalities if they do not perform correctly and break on impact. Pollite’s revolutionary designs and methods of manufacture ensure our masts are fully frangible to comply with airport safety regulations. It means that we understand the importance of frangibility within airport ground infrastructure. The Mangalore Air Crash only reinforces our view that all approach poles should be designed to break.”

For further information, please contact:-

Editorial – Adrian Harrison, Managing Director, Pollite on 01325 355 433, or John Edden, Bridge PR & Media Services on 024 76 520025, or e-mail john@bridgepr.co.uk.

Editor’s notes

Pollite is one of the largest manufactures of fibreglass masts in Europe with an international presence that spans across Europe, Asia, USA and the Middle East. Pollite has over 40 years experience in the manufacturing of fibreglass and the design of frangible safety poles. Both certified by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the Federal Aviation Administration(FAA) for frangibility compliance, the last 10 years has seen Pollite pioneer the development of a series of frangible masts principally for airfields.

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32 major accidents worldwide between 1996 and 2006, which resulted in 623 fatalities
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It is great to see India putting the spotlight on frangibility. Approach poles are a small part of airport infrastructure that can lead to additional fatalities if they do not perform correctly and break on impact.
Adrian Harrison, Managing Director, Pollite