Passengers flying into the new Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport can rest assured that the airport will be equipped with the world's leading navigational equipment to ensure their safe arrival.
Grintek Aviation Systems, a division of JSE Securities Exchange-listed electronics group Grintek Limited, has been awarded a contract of over R5 million for the supply, installation and commissioning of the airport's navigational equipment.
The division has also been tasked by the Republic of Botswana, Department of Civil Aviation, for the supply, installation and commissioning of a Non-Directional Beacon (NDB) to be installed at Kasane. This new navigation facility will provide an enhanced en-route and terminal navigational aid to aircraft within 120 nautical miles of Kasane.
Equipment to be installed at Kruger Mpumalanga International includes the Normarc 7000 Instrument Landing System (ILS), Fernau 2020 Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) and a Non-Directional Beacon (NDB).
According to Grintek Aviation Systems director, Len Collier: "the installation of the ILS and DME at the new airport will ensure a Category 1 precision approach. These systems have proved themselves in the field, and are exactly the same as those currently in use by the South African Air Force, at Air Force Base Waterkloof and the Swaziland Directorate of Civil Aviation at Matsapha International Airport.
Installation of the navigational equipment at KMIA is scheduled to commence in April 2002 and will be completed by mid-June 2002.
The Kasane Non-Directional Beacon successfully gained factory approval during the testing phase in Texas in December last year, while the civil, structural and building work commenced on site in Kasane early in January. This includes the casting of all foundations, cable trenching and ducting, as well as the rehabilitation of equipment buildings on site. In addition to this, a 145 Ft antenna mast will be erected to ensure adequate signal performance of the navigational beacon.
The equipment will undergo site acceptance testing throughout February, after which it will be formally handed over to the Botswana DCA for operational use.
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