UK investigators have underlined the importance of transponders, after a serious airprox incident in which a US Air Force Boeing KC-135 carried out an evasive manoeuvre to avoid an undetected glider.
According to the KC-135 pilot, the aircraft was conducting an ILS approach to RAF Mildenhall on 8 April, with four crew members on lookout given that gliders regularly operated in the area.
The pilot testified to seeing a glider converge from right to left, perhaps 10-20ft above, and “aggressively manoeuvred” with a 30° right bank to avoid a collision, before rejoining the glideslope.
Analysis from the UK Airprox Board found that separation had been “reduced to a bare minimum” – less than 50ft vertically and 0.1nm horizontally – and that “providence had played a major part” in avoiding a mid-air impact at 2,800ft.
Almost all gliders are fitted with basic electronic conspicuity devices but these are intended to detect the presence of other gliders. The conflicting glider, a Jonker JS1, had a Mode-S transponder but the pilot had turned it off to save battery power.
The board says the incident highlights a “persistent” safety concern arising from glider pilots’ “prioritising battery conservation” despite operating close to busy military bases.
It points out that the incident occurred 2.7nm from the boundary of the combined military air traffic zone of RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath.
Turning off the transponder in unpowered aircraft is permitted although continuous use is encouraged.
“The general arguments for disabling fitted transponders [are] weakened by the ready availability of affordable, lightweight, and high-capacity lithium batteries,” the board adds.
According to the Airprox Board, the glider pilot demonstrated “commendable” post-incident communication. But the testimony also indicated a “misunderstanding” of the limitations of relying solely on electronic conspicuity devices and see-and-avoid practices.
“Absence of an operational transponder had prevented integration with [airborne collision-avoidance systems], a critical safety net,” says the board.
It also “hindered” the Mildenhall air traffic controller’s ability to provide specific traffic Information to the KC-135 crew, who were only informed of a converging primary radar track.
 
UK investigators have underlined the importance of transponders, after a serious airprox incident in which a US Air Force Boeing KC-135 carried out an evasive manoeuvre to avoid an undetected glider.
According to the KC-135 pilot, the aircraft was conducting an ILS approach to RAF Mildenhall on 8 April, with four crew members on lookout given that gliders regularly operated in the area.
The pilot testified to seeing a glider converge from right to left, perhaps 10-20ft above, and “aggressively manoeuvred” with a 30° right bank to avoid a collision, before rejoining the glideslope.
Analysis from the UK Airprox Board found that separation had been “reduced to a bare minimum” – less than 50ft vertically and 0.1nm horizontally – and that “providence had played a major part” in avoiding a mid-air impact at 2,800ft.
Almost all gliders are fitted with basic electronic conspicuity devices but these are intended to detect the presence of other gliders. The conflicting glider, a Jonker JS1, had a Mode-S transponder but the pilot had turned it off to save battery power.
The board says the incident highlights a “persistent” safety concern arising from glider pilots’ “prioritising battery conservation” despite operating close to busy military bases.
It points out that the incident occurred 2.7nm from the boundary of the combined military air traffic zone of RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath.
Turning off the transponder in unpowered aircraft is permitted although continuous use is encouraged.
“The general arguments for disabling fitted transponders [are] weakened by the ready availability of affordable, lightweight, and high-capacity lithium batteries,” the board adds.
According to the Airprox Board, the glider pilot demonstrated “commendable” post-incident communication. But the testimony also indicated a “misunderstanding” of the limitations of relying solely on electronic conspicuity devices and see-and-avoid practices.
“Absence of an operational transponder had prevented integration with [airborne collision-avoidance systems], a critical safety net,” says the board.
It also “hindered” the Mildenhall air traffic controller’s ability to provide specific traffic Information to the KC-135 crew, who were only informed of a converging primary radar track.
Source link
Share This:
admin
Plan the perfect NYC Memorial Day weekend
Pack only what you need and avoid overpacking to streamline the check-in and security screening…
LA’s worst traffic areas and how to avoid them
Consider using alternative routes, such as Sepulveda Boulevard, which runs parallel to the 405 in…
Denmark, Germany and NATO among sales prospects for GlobalEye surveillance aircraft, Saab chief executive says
European interest in Saab’s GlobalEye surveillance aircraft is continuing to build, as the Swedish company…
Ukraine exploring purchase of Bell AH-1Z attack and UH-1Y utility helicopters
Ukraine has signed a letter of intent with rotorcraft manufacturer Bell exploring the purchase of…
Italy plans to restore lapsed maritime patrol capability with six-aircraft buy
Italy has outlined plans to acquire six new maritime patrol aircraft capable of performing anti-submarine…
Stockholm Arlanda takes advantage of ‘EoR’ concept to increase parallel approach efficiency
Stockholm Arlanda is claiming to be the first European airport to introduce a concept intended…
Norway presses ahead with defence helicopter acquisitions, as talks continue with UK on ASW assets
Norway continues to analyse the options for a future anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter to equip…
Airbus Helicopters open to H225 Super Puma’s return for oil and gas operations
Airbus Helicopters is seeing renewed interest in its H225 Super Puma for offshore operations, almost…
Baykar’s Kizilelma UCAV soars through Aselsan AESA radar integration and weapons testing
Baykar Technologies’ Kizilelma unmanned combat air vehicle has been flown for the first time with…
First two Saab Gripen E fighters arrive for Swedish air force service at Satenas base
The Swedish air force has fielded its first Saab Gripen E fighters, with the new…
EASA foresees sufficient production capacity to meet EU’s 2030 sustainable fuel target
Sustainable aviation fuel in the European Union only accounted for 0.6% of the total uplift…
Regional aircraft lessor TrueNoord to advise Elysian on development of battery-powered E9X
Netherlands-based Elysian Aircraft is to collaborate with regional aircraft lessor TrueNoord on the development of…