Runway masts pass extreme Aberdeen weather test
A year after completing its runway extension, Aberdeen Airport has reported not a single ground level safety breach and is delighted with the perfect performance and non weathering of its approach masts.
The frangible runway masts, supplied by leading fibreglass mast manufacturer Pollite, for runway 16-34 have had to endure extremes of heavy rain, strong sunshine and freezing conditions and have come through with flying colours.
Pollite’s MD, Adrian Harrison says there are a number of issues that Aberdeen Airport has to contend with due to its location. “Periods of heavy rainfall can cause water to leak into masts and then freeze during periods of intense cold. Electrical components housed inside the masts can then be compromised through this leakage. ”
He added: “The extreme weather proofing, including gel coating and UV inhibitors we apply to our products for different country conditions give the masts added resistance to each airport’s environmental elements. This also means they don’t suffer the general wear and tear that comes with ageing and Aberdeen Airport is further proof of this.”
In compliance with U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards Pollite’s frangible products have passed extensive solar radiation and salt spray testing.
Les Smith, Project Leader at Capital Projects, Aberdeen Airport commented: “We were delighted with the entire runway extension project and in particular, the masts that we had installed from Pollite. To not have a single ground level safety breach reported in a year is a fantastic result. Runway safety is of paramount importance to us an airport and when it is not enforced properly, the consequences can be fatal. Knowing that our runway masts are standing strong in all weather gives us peace of mind that they are durable enough to survive weather extremes while also being frangible enough to break when required.”
Between 1996 and 2006 a total of 32 major accidents occurred globally because airports did not have ground level safety facilities frangible enough to break on contact with a plane as a consequence of a runway take-off or landing error. With more than 3.1 million passengers a year including 500,000 helicopter passengers serving the North sea offshore industry, runway safety was a major priority in Aberdeen Airport’s extension plans.
Pollite is one of only three manufacturers in the world to have successfully undertaken physical tests of its products to ensure that they are compliant with the frangibility stipulations set out by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in 2006. As a business certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Pollite’s products do the job they are designed for very effectively.
Les Smith added: “I had already decided to go with a competitor in my head, however, once I had met with Pollite and they had shown me the quality of their product, I changed my mind. They talked me through the extensive testing process that their masts go though and it soon became clear that Pollite were offering a much higher standard of product at a very competitive price”
For further information, please contact:-
Editorial – Beverley Olmez, Marketing Manager, 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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