Airport

How Indian Aircraft C130J Lands In Sudan Without Light, Navigational Airstrip

In a daring nighttime operation, the Indian Air Force Thursday night successfully rescued 121 people from a small airfield in the violently unstable Sudan by flying onto an unprepared runway in the dark.

#SudanConflict | In a daring operation carried out on the night of 27/28 Apr 2023, a C-130J aircraft of the IAF rescued 121 personnel from a small airstrip at Wadi Sayyidna, which is about 40 km North of Khartoum. The passengers included medical cases, including a pregnant lady;… pic.twitter.com/gTQv0w8Pul— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2023

The C-130J aircraft’s pilots executed a night landing using Night Vision Goggles (NVG), as the airfield was in poor condition, lacked navigational approach aids, and lacked fuel and landing lights, all of which are necessary to lead an aircraft to land at night.

The aircrew used their Electro-Optical/Infra-Red sensors as they approached the airfield to check that the runway was clear of any obstacles and that no hostile forces were nearby.

The aircrew conducted a tactical approach on what was essentially a dark night after making sure the runway was clear. The aircraft’s engines were left running after landing. Eight IAF Garud Commandos from a special forces squad guarded the passengers and their luggage inside the plane.

NVGs were used for both the takeoff and the flawless landing on the blind airfield. The two-and-a-half-hour mission between Wadi Sayyidna and Jeddah, which is comparable to the one conducted in Kabul, is yet another example of the air force’s audacity in carrying out risky operations in the midst of a humanitarian crisis.

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Airport

Western Sydney Airport Welcomes Its First Plane After 6 Years of construction

In a historic milestone for Australia’s aviation sector, the first plane has officially taken off and landed at Western Sydney Airport after six years of construction, much to the delight of a small but enthusiastic group of dedicated planespotters.

A test pilot made the inaugural landing using a Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche, successfully completing a series of take-off and landing runs on the newly built tarmac. This crucial test paves the way for larger passenger aircraft, which are expected to start using the runway in two years.

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The Piper PA-30 was employed to assess the airport’s approximately 3,000 Aeronautical Ground Lights (AGLs) by executing operations in various conditions, including daylight, dusk, and evening. This testing ensures that the lighting system is fit for purpose and ready to welcome aircraft when the airport opens to commercial flights in late 2026.

The pilot also highlighted that the rapid exit taxiways have been designed at a 45-degree angle, allowing for quicker transitions on and off the runway. Once operational, the airport will feature a single runway capable of handling up to 10 million passengers annually right from day one.

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As the construction phase nears completion, the airport’s main terminal, apron, and supporting infrastructure will be ready to accommodate around 81,000 flights each year. This milestone marks a significant moment for Western Sydney Airport, the first new airport to open in Australia since Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport more than two decades ago.

Major airlines, including Qantas and Jetstar, have already committed to operating from the 24/7 facility, signaling strong support for this new hub. By 2033, the airport aims to handle up to 10 million passengers and facilitate extensive air traffic movements annually.