"Czech challenge: An airport in 8 hours!"

Monday, February 10, 2003

Czech challenge: An airport in 8 hours!
India - Newindpress


BANGALORE, - Can you imagine setting up an airport and making it operational
within a matter of hours? It is possible, says a Czech firm that is
showcasing this rare 'talent' at the Aero India 2003.

''We can set up a full-fledged temporary airport, which can be used for both
military and civilian purposes, in just eight hours. It is also an
all-weather one,'' says Zdenek Burian, Manager of Omnipol, which exports the
product made by Transcon.

The advantages of this temporary airport are many. It can not only be
installed in eight hours time, but can also be shifted from one place to
another in a very short span. ''This apart, the mobile airport is very
economical and suitable for Indian conditions,'' he said.

The assembly of the airport is organised in two parallel levels -- lights
and tower. However, this airport will not have a runway of its own. Any
highway or an all-weather road can be converted into a runway. Of course,
the airport can also be constructed around abandoned airstrips.

The ''temporary'' airport buildings can be transported either by containers
and moved by trucks, trains, ships or airplanes and installed with the help
of cranes, lift trucks, hydraulic lifts or any such equipment readily
available.

Installing the ATC tower is also easy. The tower will have a big station
with two sections. All the state-of-the-art equipment like antennas,
obstruction lights, meteorological aids and reflectors will also be
installed. It will also have a generator which acts not only as a backup but
also operate the systems when there is no power.

The module has an area for briefing and communication with crew. It has a
dressing room, satellite Television and other facilities needed for airport
staff and crew.

The ''runway'' lights and the taxiway lights can also be installed within a
few minutes. This system is ideal in emergency situations, Burian noted.

Transcon is looking for business in Afghanistan, where it feels the highways
connecting its bombed cities that are being rebuilt, would be ideal for
setting up such facilities.

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