Case Studies - Aviation

The problem

Foreign Object Debris
Any incident involving damage from FOD can cause delays or cancellation of flights due to runway closure, which can lead to flight re-scheduling, increased workloads for airport and airline personnel, and loss of customer satisfaction or damage to reputation. The major cost implications of the incident relate to lost revenue opportunities - delayed or cancelled flights, and liability claims. For example, if FOD is ingested by a jet engine, repair costs are likely to exceed one million Euro.

At its worst FOD can lead to loss of life as seen in the Concorde accident of July 2000 wherein a 40 cm [16 inch] metal strip, dropped on the departure runway, from another aircraft caused a tyre blowout which lead to the tragic accident. The metal strip had in fact been deposited on the runway just five minutes prior to the accident.

Current practices
Current FOD inspections are visual inspections using motorized vehicles. They are performed every 6 hours at those airports following ICAO recommended practices, and there are obvious limitations to their effectiveness and efficiency – operational safety staff drive down the runway, between aircraft movements, travelling at speeds well in excess of 80 km/h. Given that a typical international runway has an area equivalent to 40 football pitches, and the drivers are looking for objects as small as a two-inch bolt, the difficulty of the task is obvious. Add to this poor visibility due to weather conditions, and night-time operations, and the task is quite clearly becomes quite daunting, potentially leaving aircraft and their passengers at risk.

The Solution

The system
Tarsier is a QinetiQ system that automatically detects and locates FOD on airport runways. Through the use of networked high frequency, high resolution radars, integrated digital signal processing, and a central user display, Tarsier gives airport operators the ability to continuously inspect runway surfaces in the heaviest ground traffic, day or night, and even in poor weather conditions with no disruption to aircraft movements.

In operation
Tarsier scans the runway continuously for FOD, giving inspection between aircraft movements. The system’s sensitivity, location accuracy and advanced processing methods mean that FOD is rapidly detected and pinpointed to within a few metres, allowing quick and efficient removal. All of this functionality is delivered to the operator through a simple and intuitive user interface, which requires no radar knowledge or expertise.

Benefits
Tarsier supports safe, high capacity, efficient airport operations:

Increased safety: continuous automated runway inspection compared to current visual inspections at infrequent intervals throughout the day.

Increased capacity: with optimum runway usage you can secure more revenue whilst minimising loss of capacity through on-runway inspections and closures due to FOD related incidents.

Reduced financial impact of FOD: runways can be inspected remotely without interrupting aircraft movement, airport resources can be used more efficiently, delays and lost slots can be reduced and engine / airframe damage can be minimised.

Why is Tarsier the best FOD detection system?
It’s a real solution available now: Tarsier has a customer base with installations such as Vancouver International Airport, and we have demonstrated the system across the globe.

Radar is the only suitable core technology: All camera-based systems [for example CCTV, low light and thermal cameras] have narrow fields of view and can require many units to cover one runway. These systems also have limited performance in fog and rain, and they do not intrinsically provide an object’s location.

The ideal solution for detection and location of small objects over a wide area in all weather conditions, night and day, is radar.

Tarsier is a world first: Tarsier is unique - it is the only system in the world designed specifically for the detection of FOD.

Peace of mind
We are a recognised innovator in aviation, including the invention of airborne radar, carbon fibre and passive millimetre wave imaging.

As an associate member of IATA, ACI and CANSO, and as an advisor to ICAO, we have a unique understanding of aviation issues.