The monsoon is hovering above us, good news for many of us reeling under the dry spell. But, for the aviation sector, it is always a major headache as it is behind most air accidents.
"Most aviation accidents occur during the monsoon," said Riddhi Baba Pradhan, Secretary of Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation. ‘Therefore it is necessary for safety enhancement during wet seasons.’
Safety and precautions is what those related to flight operations have gathered to discuss in the capital today in the workshop, ‘Safety awareness during monsoon in Nepal’.
The programme, organised by Civil Aviation Authority Nepal (CAAN) is highly relevant in the context of our unique geographical and climatic conditions where the monsoon season brings in a lot of air crashes. The monsoon, according to meteorologists, began yesterday and will last till September.
"During the monsoons, the role of pilots and air-traffic controllers become more challenging and sometimes difficult," said Upendra Prasad Dhital, Director General, CAAN. He added that pilots and air traffic controllers are the last lines of defence for the safety and prevention of their aircraft.
"Therefore it demands a concerted effort of all concerned to contribute to the maintenance of flight safety in bad weather," said Dhital. The reasons for air crashes during monsoon are, among others, hazardous attitude of pilots such as anti-authority, lack of invulnerability and infallibility. Similarly, competitive nature, pressure from management, lack of training and workload are also other reasons.
"The number of air accidents have increased in 2002," said Rajesh Raj Dali, Deputy Director General, CAAN. ‘Moreover, 70 percent of accidents occur due to CFIT.’ Dali also said that a task force would be formed to check reasons behind accidents and possible safety measures. "Similarly, the CAAN circulars and directives regarding safety measures will also be refreshed," said Dali.
"Though all pilots are familiar with the hazards of monsoon flying, they tend to overlook its seriousness," said Bikash J.B Rana, President of Airlines Operators’ Association of Nepal (AOAN).
For people involved in the flying business, monsoon brings apprehensions as most accidents occur during this time. "The entire cause of accidents are not in the hazards of monsoon but a pilot operating a flight is also equally responsible," he added.
"There are times when a pilot is faced with an unstable weather situation, where he feels undecided," said Rana. "During such unpredictable weather conditions it is always advisable for pilots not to press very hard."
According to Captain Bed Upreti, the monsoon weather is far better to fly than pre and post monsoon weather. But, he added that although the pre and post monsoon weather was more violent more crashes took place during monsoon.
"To come out of the vicious circle, we must take extra precautions during monsoon," he added.
Precautions that need to be taken are installation of navigation equipment, good weather stations, strict on transponder with airline operators, implement TCAS system in all aircraft. "The accident rate can be reduced by more than 90 percent," said Upreti.
"Meteorology can be used for maintaining a watch over the meteorological conditions affecting flight operation, and disseminate any meteorological information affecting air flights," said Mani Ratna Sakya, Meteorologist at Weather Forecasting Division, Department of Hydrology and Meteorology.
"Most aviation accidents occur during the monsoon," said Riddhi Baba Pradhan, Secretary of Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation. ‘Therefore it is necessary for safety enhancement during wet seasons.’
Safety and precautions is what those related to flight operations have gathered to discuss in the capital today in the workshop, ‘Safety awareness during monsoon in Nepal’.
The programme, organised by Civil Aviation Authority Nepal (CAAN) is highly relevant in the context of our unique geographical and climatic conditions where the monsoon season brings in a lot of air crashes. The monsoon, according to meteorologists, began yesterday and will last till September.
"During the monsoons, the role of pilots and air-traffic controllers become more challenging and sometimes difficult," said Upendra Prasad Dhital, Director General, CAAN. He added that pilots and air traffic controllers are the last lines of defence for the safety and prevention of their aircraft.
"Therefore it demands a concerted effort of all concerned to contribute to the maintenance of flight safety in bad weather," said Dhital. The reasons for air crashes during monsoon are, among others, hazardous attitude of pilots such as anti-authority, lack of invulnerability and infallibility. Similarly, competitive nature, pressure from management, lack of training and workload are also other reasons.
"The number of air accidents have increased in 2002," said Rajesh Raj Dali, Deputy Director General, CAAN. ‘Moreover, 70 percent of accidents occur due to CFIT.’ Dali also said that a task force would be formed to check reasons behind accidents and possible safety measures. "Similarly, the CAAN circulars and directives regarding safety measures will also be refreshed," said Dali.
"Though all pilots are familiar with the hazards of monsoon flying, they tend to overlook its seriousness," said Bikash J.B Rana, President of Airlines Operators’ Association of Nepal (AOAN).
For people involved in the flying business, monsoon brings apprehensions as most accidents occur during this time. "The entire cause of accidents are not in the hazards of monsoon but a pilot operating a flight is also equally responsible," he added.
"There are times when a pilot is faced with an unstable weather situation, where he feels undecided," said Rana. "During such unpredictable weather conditions it is always advisable for pilots not to press very hard."
According to Captain Bed Upreti, the monsoon weather is far better to fly than pre and post monsoon weather. But, he added that although the pre and post monsoon weather was more violent more crashes took place during monsoon.
"To come out of the vicious circle, we must take extra precautions during monsoon," he added.
Precautions that need to be taken are installation of navigation equipment, good weather stations, strict on transponder with airline operators, implement TCAS system in all aircraft. "The accident rate can be reduced by more than 90 percent," said Upreti.
"Meteorology can be used for maintaining a watch over the meteorological conditions affecting flight operation, and disseminate any meteorological information affecting air flights," said Mani Ratna Sakya, Meteorologist at Weather Forecasting Division, Department of Hydrology and Meteorology.
