In a move towards the creation of an inclusive workforce, Mangaluru International Airport has trained an internal team of three to drive the recently inducted Airport Surface Friction Tester (ASFT).
The team, composed of Prabhakaran Sundaram, Shefali Mhaldar and Prasanna Rangarajan – electrical, civil, and mechanical engineers, respectively – are certified to drive and calibrate the runway with the imported ASFT equipment.
Rubber residue
A media statement said aircraft wheels can leave behind a rubber residue which could cause runways to become slippery, compromising the passenger safety. The friction measuring vehicle is used to measure the rate of slippage and loss of friction on the runway surface due to rubber build-up or pavement wear.
These team members, who are trained in handling the ASFT equipment, are certified to operate and calibrate the runway with the ASFT by Moventor, the original equipment manufacturer from Finland. The airport carries out the tests once in every 45 days.
The statement said that training the trio ensures business continuity at the airport for the operation and maintenance of the ASFT. It is also an investment in a combination of ‘youth and experience’ for the future of the safest tabletop airport in India. It also opens opportunities to share the airport’s in-house expertise with other airports that may need this specialised equipment, it said.