IMD deploys Drishti for providing real time visibility information to pilots

The India Meteorology Department (IMD) has deployed indigenously developed Drishti, an instrument that will provide real time visibility information to pilots.
The instrument will help pilots in quick decision-making during critical landings and take-offs of aircraft particularly during foggy or rainy days.
Key facts

• Drishti has been developed by the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), Bangalore .
• The system transfer the crucial visibility updates to the pilots in real time who can now use this information that will be updated every minute.
• Drishti is a transmissometer that takes in account the real time weather parameters like humidity, wind speed, temperature conditions, etc., along the runway in order to calculate the visibility distance offered at that particular runway.
• It is cost-effective mandatory system required at all airports as per International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).

Generally due to the poor visibility, the aircraft operations would often get disturbed that affects passenger traffic during winter and monsoon seasons especially in Northern India. The first Dristi instrument was installed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi in 2015 on a trial basis.

Month: Current Affairs - March, 2016