LAHORE, Jan 22: After 30 years or so, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is set to induct two calibration aircraft to upgrade the country’s navigation system and extend the facility to other countries as well.

At present, the CAA has only one calibration aircraft and the need for the new one has been felt for the last five years or so in the wake of increasing air traffic to and from over 40 airports of the country.

A calibration aircraft gauges the visual, navigation and landing aids at airports and the radars.

The CAA calibration chief, Air Commodore Abbas Petiwala, told Dawn on Tuesday that two calibration aircraft had been bought from an American company (Hawker Beech Craft) and the air-equipment from a German company (Aero Data) at a cost of US $15.3 million. He said the aircraft would reach here by middle of this year.

“Since the existing calibration aircraft is 30 years old and much more is being spent on its maintenance, its replacement is the need of the hour,” he said, adding that the new aircraft were meeting the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

The air commodore said after the arrival of the aircraft the authority would be in a position to generate more revenue by providing the calibration facility to the countries of South Asia, Central and Far East Asia, Africa and the Gulf. The authority’s staff was also being sent to the US and Germany for training, he added.

The CAA is already providing the site proving tests, periodic and commissioning flight inspection services to Nepal, Sri Lanka, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras-al-Khaimah, Abu Dhabi, Fujairah, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar.

It is pertinent to mention that under the proposed civil aviation policy, all equipment being utilised for the purpose of calibrating Radar and Radio Navigation Aids will be exempted from taxes and duties. Besides, the navigation equipment like VOR, NDB, ILS satellite, based instruments used for provision of air traffic services also will be exempted.

The director general of the authority under the policy will permit the induction of fixed wing aircraft as well as helicopters of all weight categories on a lease and purchase basis, including private-owned aircraft, through a simplified procedure to be published in the form of an Air Navigation Order (ANO).

Security clearance for the import fixed wing aircraft and helicopters on a purchase basis will not be required in respect of Pakistani companies and nationals holding valid licences. Where security clearance is required the process will be completed by the security agencies within 45 days.—Zulqernain Tahir