Category: Publications

With the world finally getting back to normal, we’ve seen some of our favorite events resume, from Glastonbury to the Olympics. During large events like these, airports often act as thoroughfares for celebrities, musicians, players, and visitors during these periods. Hamad International will face this challenge in December as the Football World Cup comes to Qatar. Large events like this bring their own unique security challenges. In this article, we discuss some of the security solutions airports use for large events and why they are such an important part of airport operations.

Why are security solutions important?

Before learning more about the specific security solutions in place, it’s important to know why large events require such security. Contrary to popular belief, this isn’t exclusively to protect the event itself. Having a high level of security in place for large events means that airports, which likely see an increase in visitor numbers during this time, can handle the influx of passengers and keep everyone safe.

Large event security solutions

Some of the specific security solutions airports use for large events include:

Runway and Airside Surveillance

Runway and Airside Surveillance is one of the most important parts of the process of keeping an airport safe and secure. This is first because airside surveillance ensures that nobody can get near the planes on the ground. With a primary focus on using CCTV to detect people on the runway, airports find potential threats before they get near VIPs or large events taking place on the airside of the airport. CCTV is accompanied by RADAR systems, so there is a constant and coherent detection system in place protecting the large event from intruders.

Drone detection systems

When protecting a large event, stopping threats from the ground alone will not necessarily suffice. That’s why airports have drone detection systems in place. Drone detection systems constantly scan the skies around an airport, looking for unmanned aerial vehicles that are looking to do harm to an aircraft or a large event. If a drone detection system finds a drone in the area, security services move into action and the airport takes steps to remove the drone. This protects the event from innovative threats such as aerial attacks.

Cyber security

Aside from threats in the physical domain, modern wrongdoers consider a wide range of angles of attack. This includes cyberspace. Having a good level of cybersecurity in place means that airports have a strong layer of protection from innovative lines of attack. Airport communications and utilities stay consistent when the airport uses cybersecurity for large events, and there is no interruption to the day’s events as a result of an airport’s network being turned against itself.

If you’re interested in large event security solutions, or any other essential airport infrastructure, get in touch with the Bayanat Engineering team today to find out more about our airport services and systems.

Across the globe, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) stipulates a standardized system of ground lighting to be installed at major airfields. Airfield lighting systems are designed to safely guide aircraft between the gate and the runway at night and in low visibility.

Further to assisting aircraft on the ground, there are also ground-based lighting systems intended to aid aircraft in the air.

Taxiway Lighting

Once an aircraft is pushed back and en route to the runway, the aircraft is mandated to follow taxiway markings. The main visual marking to follow is the taxiway centreline. The centreline is painted yellow with a black outline and the aircraft’s nosewheel is intended to track its course. At night, this taxiway centreline is illuminated with green omnidirectional lights every fifty feet.

Wherever a taxiway crosses a runway or leads on and off a live runway, these green lights alternate with a fixed yellow to indicate to the crew their proximity to the runway.

To delineate the width of the taxiway, a blue taxiway edge light is installed at intervals no less than fifty feet apart. On longer stretches of the taxiway, like those that run parallel to a runway, the spacing between each light can extend up to two hundred feet.

Runway Lighting

Runway lighting systems can vary depending on the size and operation of the runway. Most major airports will feature a runway with a runway centreline lighting system (RCLS). In the direction of take-off and landing, the centreline lights are fixed white lights embedded into the runway with an interval of fifty feet.

To indicate the aircraft is approaching the end of the runway, from nine hundred meters the lights change to an alternating red-and-white indication. For the last three hundred meters, the centreline lights change to red to indicate the end of the runway is approaching.

Similar to taxiways, runways also have edge lights to indicate the width of the available runway. Like the runway centreline lighting system, the edge lights are fixed white lights. Unlike the embedded variety installed on the centreline, these are raised lights. For the last two thousand feet, or one-third of the runway, whichever is less, the runway edge lights change to amber.

For aircraft landing at night, it can be difficult to identify the aircraft’s touchdown zone. To aid in night-time landing operations, instrument runways will include rows of white bar lights embedded on either side of the centreline. These are installed at thirty or sixty-meter intervals for nine hundred meters to indicate the touchdown zone.

Approach Lighting Systems

At night, an approach lighting system (ALS) can be followed to guide aircraft to the runway. Typically, these systems are an extension of the runway centreline. An ALS consists of lightbars and strobe lights that flash in sequence towards the runway. These systems can extend up to nine hundred meters from the runway threshold and are particularly effective in low visibility operations.

Find out more

Bayanat Engineering is an industry-leading expert in airport ground lighting systems. Contact our knowledgeable team today to learn how Bayanat Engineering can help drive your organization forward.

The airport is a unique setting with unique needs for electrical installation. At the same time, modern airports are making increasing use of technology, placing greater demands on their electrical systems. The average airport now uses 19.7 kilowatt-hours ( kWh ) of electricity every year. With airports like Changi in Singapore and San Francisco International Airport in the USA paving the way for more advanced airports, powerful electrical installations that don’t interfere with airport operations are becoming more important. This is where extra low voltage and low current systems come in. So why are they necessary and how do airports use them?

Why are extra low voltage and low current systems necessary?

Extra low voltage and low current systems are electrical systems that perform with an extra-low voltage. They’re typically found where electricity could be hazardous, with airports being a prime example. These systems are necessary for airports because they allow for sophisticated and powerful electrical installations that don’t interfere with aircraft or air traffic control operations. There are a wide variety of ways that airports use these systems, and we’ll now consider some of these in greater detail.

Improving the passenger experience

Much of airport operations relate to improving the passenger experience – extra low voltage and low current systems contribute to this. These systems are pivotal to airport communications. They power low-voltage signage that communicates information about flights, facilities, and routes through the airport. Low voltage digital signage is an environmentally friendly option, saving the airport both electricity and expenditure.

Low current systems are also used to communicate with passengers through public address systems. A vast range of low voltage public address systems are available, from simple handheld microphone systems to sophisticated and wide-reaching systems suitable for emergencies and evacuations. These systems are in near-constant use in airports as they help to communicate vital information and help passengers reach their flights. A low voltage system is essential for devices that are in such frequent use.

Improving airport safety

Safety and security are a top priority at any airport and low voltage systems are part of this. In addition to low voltage public address systems that can communicate vital safety information, many airports use low voltage fire alarm systems to protect passengers. Again, these systems are in continual use so a low current is vital to minimize interference. Many sophisticated low-current fire alarm systems are available, and a further advantage is that they can be integrated with new or existing low-current safety systems. As well as minimizing electrical usage, this helps to ensure a fast and safe response in an emergency.

Extra low voltage and low current systems at the airport

These are just some of the ways that airports deploy extra low voltage and low current systems. They also have a range of other valuable uses but, regardless of the application, these systems help to make the airport experience safer, more informative, and more pleasant for passengers. Increased use means that airports can continue to advance technologically, offering even more for passengers. By using low current systems, airports can keep developing whilst maintaining exceptional standards of safety and reliable operations.

Foreign object debris (FOD) is one of the most significant hazards to aviation. Any object from a screw to a branch dropped innocently by a bird can pose a threat to aircraft arriving and departing a runway. In the fast-paced world of aviation, detecting and removing FOD is a difficult challenge but one that must be overcome.

The Threats and Cost

FOD and its associated disruption cost the aviation industry $13 billion USD per year. This heavy cost is largely through damage and delay disruption losses.

At airfields without a detection system, runways must be closed for inspections to be carried out. In many instances, airfield operations teams cannot always identify and remove the FOD, or even be confident it was there in the first place if reported by a third party.

FOD is harmful and has caused accidents in the past. FOD can cause minor damage to aircraft tires if run over. A burst or flat tire can be easily replaced. However, if FOD is ingested into an aircraft’s engine, it can cause more severe damage which is costly and can lead to significant disruption to airline operations.

Debris Detection

In the present day, runway debris monitoring systems (RDMS) are able to accurately detect runway debris to prevent disruption and accidents from occurring.

RDMS are sensitive dual CCTV and radar instruments mounted on small tower installations close to the runway. They are highly accurate at ranges of upwards of three thousand feet. On a large runway, at a length of nine thousand feet, three RDMS installations can give complete surface coverage.

The RDMS scans the runway at a rate of once every seven seconds. This rate is far more consistent than the time-costly dispatch of an airfield operations team. This continuous monitoring and detection allow for fewer delays and better runway capacity utilization. Unlike manual inspections, which are not as frequent, RDMS can guarantee safety on all flights.

Such systems can give an accurate position fix for the airfield operations team to find and remove the FOD.

Low Visibility Operations

While RDMS is able to detect FOD visually through CCTV surveillance, it is also able to detect FOD as small as three centimeters through microwave wavelength radar detection.

The benefit of this sophisticated level of detection is that it means the runway can be scanned for debris even in low visibility and inclement weather such as blizzards and sandstorms.

Hamad International Airport

Bayanat Engineering has recently worked alongside Xsight to introduce their FODetect® product, a signature feature of their RunWize™ runway threat detection solution. This solution has been selected as the RDMS of choice for Hamad International Airport. One of the most intelligent RDMS systems globally, it is also present in Seattle (SEA), Boston (BOS), and Bangkok (BKK).

Key features of this dual sensor-based system include detection and identification sub-systems as well as alerting, logging, and archiving software.

Industry Experts

Bayanat Engineering is a leading expert in the field of airfield surveillance, particularly runway debris monitoring systems. Contact our team today to learn how Bayanat Engineering can assist in making your airfield operations safer.

Oil and gas industry operations are some of the most important in the world. This means that cars can keep running on the roads, planes can reach airports such as Qatar’s Hamad International and ships can deliver cargo all around the world. A range of different technology plays a role in supporting the operations of the oil and gas industry around the world. In this article we discuss some of the systems the oil and gas industry use, and why these are so important.

Navigation systems

Navigation systems are a fundamental part of getting the right equipment to the right place when completing gas and oil work. Many gas and oil fields stand in the middle of the sea, which means that there are not many landmarks in place to find an exact point to start drilling. Using navigation systems such as a GPS means that you get all of the right equipment to the right place, starting drilling operations in the optimal position for gas and oil output. Visual Guidance Docking Systems are also important when at an oil rig, preventing crashes and keeping everyone safe.

Communication

Clear lines of communication existing between an oil rig and any visitors are essential for better operations in fossil fuel industries. Using long-range radios and satellite phones, oil rig staff stay in constant communication with visiting ships and tankers. This means that the rig can warn boats of any potential emergencies and inclement weather occurrences at the rig, whilst also planning in advance for a range of different events. Having consistent lines of communication means that oil and gas operations stay in touch with the world around them, stay safer and protect those coming to them by sea.

Meteorology

Meteorology is the process of tracking and understanding weather events that take place in an area. For example, this includes measuring the wind speeds, humidities and chance of rain in a selection of areas. This is an important part of completing oil and gas industry operations. Oil platforms that are out at sea feature tall towers that require manning. Ensuring that your members of staff are working when the wind is at a reasonable pace and visibility is good means that everyone is as safe and secure as possible in the oil and gas industry, with little risk of emergency coming from the climate.

RADAR

RADAR is one of the tools that oil rigs use consistently. This tracks the aerial movement of planes and helicopters around them, in addition to building a better idea of what the traffic at sea is doing. RADAR that supports air traffic means that helicopters have support in making a safe landing at gas and oil operations without running the risk of getting lost, whilst any offshore operations have support from sea RADAR that prevents ships from colliding with rigs. Knowledge is a key part of the petrochemical industry, and RADAR provides a lot of insight into ship movement.

If you’re interested in systems to support the oil and gas industry, get in touch with the Bayanat Engineering team today to find out more about what we have to offer.

Command and control centres are vital to the smooth running of a number of sectors, including the military, emergency services, transportation, and many different types of businesses. In this guide, we will be explaining why it’s so important for their precision to be on point at all times and the role they play in airports.

What are command and control centres?

A command and control centre is a designated room within a building that provides a central point for all monitoring, control and command of a setting or situation. It has to be completely secure and only accessible to authorised members of staff because the operations that take place are often sensitive and require full training. They minimise any risks on-site by streamlining communication between workers and areas. This often includes the use of technology such as cameras, live data feeds, radio communications and maps, depending on their function.

A major benefit, besides the most important one of optimised safety, is that it saves money by providing a way for all communication to be done in one place, that may otherwise be spread across thousands of miles of advanced infrastructure.

What role do they play in airports?

In terms of air traffic control, a command and control centre provides data and images to those responsible for giving information to pilots – this includes which aircraft are flying in particular airspace at any given time for safe approaches and departures. This ensures that aircraft can take off and land safely. It has access to detailed information such as altitude data and flight paths to ensure maximum air traffic management effectiveness.

There are also command and control centres based within airports that are slightly different in that they monitor the goings on within an airport terminal and all other areas. They monitor the movement of passengers and report on any security incidents. Both of these types of control and command centres need to be big to facilitate lots of specialised technology and expert staff, and they can sometimes be integrated into one.

Why is precision important?

It’s vital that command and control centres operate in the most precise way possible at all times. By being able to view real-time movement and see updated information, they are able to pass on effective communication to other members of staff. This means that everyone involved in the running of the airport can do their job effectively without the need to wait for information.

If the information provided about an aircraft landing is not precise, this could result in wrong advice being given to another aircraft that it’s safe to take off when it’s not, resulting in severe consequences.

If a trespasser manages to make it past airport security, the security guards may not have even seen the person, so will be unable to provide the information needed to help find them. This is where the control and command centre comes in, as their scope of vision is not limited and they can communicate with a vast amount of people to search the airport.

When we think about traffic management, the first things that probably spring to mind are road and air travel. However, a large part of traffic management also takes place at sea, helping to manage both cargo and passenger movement.

In this article, we discuss what maritime traffic is, some of the systems used in maritime traffic management and why getting maritime traffic management right is important.

What is maritime traffic management?

Maritime traffic management refers to the process of controlling the paths and arrival times of ships at sea. Controlling maritime traffic is commonly done from land, on docks and harbours. One important example of this is the Ras Laffan dock in Qatar, just 40 miles up the coast from Hamad International Airport.

Why is maritime traffic management important?

Maritime traffic management is important for a number of reasons, including:

Preventing collisions

Keeping passengers safe is at the heart of maritime traffic management. When boats keep a good distance away from one another, there’s no risk of the boats’ wakes affecting each other and causing unsteady rides. Good maritime management also means that there is no chance of boats colliding with one another.

Efficient trade

One of the main purposes of maritime travel is shipping. Maritime management means that ships arrive at their destination when expected, unload their goods and move on in a timely manner. This significantly reduces the risk of boats having to wait for others. Companies move their goods around the world more efficiently and without delay, allowing them to make the most of their business opportunities.
Lifeguarding

Maritime traffic management involves tracking ships along their journeys. In the event that a ship has issues, such as running aground or slowly sinking, tracking the ship can help to save lives. Maritime traffic management means that ships can communicate whenever they have any issues and receive help immediately, keeping everyone on board safe and preventing disasters at sea.

Maritime traffic management systems

Some of the systems with an important role in maritime traffic management include:

• GPS: Ships use GPS tracking to allow docks and harbours to keep track of their locations and movements.

• Automated Weather Observing Systems (AWOS): Maritime traffic management uses weather observation, forecasting and tracking systems to limit the risk of abject weather affecting ships.

• UHF/VHF Radio Communication: Maritime traffic management requires consistent communication between docks and ships. UHF and VHF radio provides clear audio communication over long distances.

• Visual Guidance Docking System (VDGS): VDGS is a useful system when docking a ship. This is a series of markings and landmarks that guide a ship into the dock, preventing damage to both the ship and infrastructure.

If you have an interest in improving your maritime traffic management systems, get in touch with Bayanat Engineering today to find out more about the options available.

When considering the way an airport works, one of the first things you consider is the passengers. This is completely understandable, after all, without passengers there is little need for airports, and they are the most visible aspects of transport. This means that air cargo facilities are one of the most understated, yet vital, elements of any airport’s operations. Read on to learn more about the importance of air cargo facilities in a modern airport, and why they play such a key role.

The importance of air cargo

Air cargo is one of the most important things airports handle. Good air cargo handling means that the passengers receive their goods in a timely manner, whilst cargo flights that exclusively transport goods around the world, from Andorra to Qatar, get all of their goods to the destination in time for their clients. These features mean that air cargo is at the core of a successful airport operation.

Documentation and control

Of course, one of the most important aspects of transporting air cargo isn’t having space for the cargo or the apron space for disembarking, but the documentation and control of goods. This documentation tells the receiving airport what is in every shipment and the purpose of shipping. To resolve this difficulty, airports put significant teams in charge of reading through documentation and ensuring that everything is safe. This helps process the goods whilst keeping everyone at the airport safe and secure throughout the goods management process.

The cargo terminal

In addition to having a team in place to resolve difficulties with documentation, airports have a significant amount of space dedicated to ensuring that there is enough capacity for all of the necessary cargo. This cargo terminal is a key part of the functionality of an airport, holding all of the cargo an airport receives until the right courier or recipient picks it up. Cargo terminals have a significant amount of specific technology in place, with highly mechanised cargo terminals using conveyors, container stacks and more to move goods quickly and store them in an efficient manner. Where documentation is a strong start, a highly-tailored terminal means the airport fulfils all of its cargo needs.

Flow-Through Cargo

Another concern for a lot of different airports is the specific needs of flow-through cargo. This is cargo that enters the airport on a plane only to leave the country again, with the airport as a simple fuel stop along the way. In these cases, processing the cargo has a unique challenge. Documentation is minimal, but the airport requires temporary storage for all of the cargo when taking the cargo off the plan is necessary. This requires another terminal, adding another challenge to the air cargo side of an airport. Controlling the flow of cargo is essential, as flow-through cargo being in the wrong place risks losing some of the precious passenger goods.

If you’re considering air cargo facilities for an airport, get in touch with the Bayanat Engineering team today. We support airport operations across the world and play a key role in ensuring that you have all the cargo transport and management equipment your airport needs.

The aviation industry has made significant progress by way of promoting a more environmentally responsible and sustainable outlook. Yet plans to reduce the aviation industry’s environmental footprint are continually under discussion, with more solutions being proposed and enacted on a regular basis. This means that there’s always something more airlines can do to improve their ‘green’ standards.

This post explores some of the ways aviation companies are promoting a more economically sustainable and environmentally responsible climate.

1. Reduced CO2 emissions and green aviation fuel

Aeroplanes can reduce CO2 emissions through the use of clean fuels that decrease the number of pollutants entering the atmosphere. For instance, electrofuels – such as power-to-liquid – are considered potential sources of zero or low carbon fuels. Their effectiveness depends on the amount of CO2 emissions released to produce them, yet this amount is always less than those released by aircraft currently.

What’s more, the use of zero-emissions aircraft can allow the aviation industry to reduce CO2 in short-haul flights. Zero emissions aircraft include those powered by hydrogen or electricity. They’re expected to come into operation by the mid-2030s. Other ways to reduce CO2 emissions include rerouting flights and changing flight paths to fly at lower altitudes.

2. Better waste management

It’s important for airlines to reduce, reuse and recycle cabin waste where possible to reduce their environmental footprint. There are several ways airlines can promote better waste management, including:

• Using compostable cups and dishes
• Introducing on-board recycling for bottles and cans
• Donating non-perishable food items

One waste management idea gaining traction is the pay-as-you-go approach. This involves travellers ordering meals prior to their flight so that they only buy what they consume. This allows airlines to reduce the amount of untouched food they throw away.

3. Improved air quality

Carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, and particulate matter are all chemical emissions associated with airports. Yet new technological advancements are allowing the aviation industry to lower their impact on local air quality to lesser than that enacted by road traffic.

Some recommendations for aircraft looking to improve air quality include providing pre-conditioned air supplies and fixed electrical ground power at terminal gates. This allows the aircraft to switch off auxiliary power units – thereby reducing the amount of fuel they burn at terminal gates.

4. Decreased noise pollution

Research into aviation noise pollution has been extensive and has involved examining engines, engine positions, the size of fan blades and more. Yet the most effective way to decrease noise pollution involves controlling where planes land and take off. This requires airports to identify the best play for runways and increase navigation performance. This can be done by allowing aircraft to follow precisely designated tracks to avoid track spreading.

5. Corsia deal

Corsia is an UN-proposed deal designed to help the aviation industry reach its carbon-neutral goal. Corsia stands for ‘Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation.’ It requires airlines to purchase emissions reduction offsets from other industries to compensate for any increase in their carbon emissions past 2020 levels. Instead of doing this, they can opt for Corsia eligible, low-carbon fuels.

There are several ways that the aviation industry can promote an economically sustainable and environmentally responsible climate, and advancements are still underway. For more information, contact us today.

When operating an airport, making the most of the infrastructure’s potential is key. This means having the right technical infrastructure in place and the right processes all working in tandem to maximise efficiency all across the airport. This is where having the right information communication technologies is key. Learn more about some of the important information communication technologies in an airport and how it contributes to making the airport experience better for everyone.

Structure Cabling System

One of the most important, yet underrated, parts of an airport’s computing systems is the cabling and hardware connecting everything. Data needs to be transmitted across the airport at high speeds, which means that data and power cables carrying the information are laid under the runways and across the terminals to ensure that everyone has up to date knowledge at all times. Before implementing any specific solutions, ensuring that a structure cabling system is in place ensures that you have a strong foundation in place to build from.

Computer Network Equipment

Whilst having the essential cabling in place is a benefit for an airport, Computer Network Equipment is the tool that airports use to make full use of the cabling available. Computer network equipment refers to the equipment that airports use when networking both internally and externally. For example, the routers that an airport uses are part of a CNE offering. Strong CNE means that an airport makes the most of the structured cabling system it’s built on.

Data Communication Hardware

Transferring the data itself is the next step in the process, and requires a selection of specialist hardware. For example, airports handle a significant amount of data at all times, requiring specialist servers with incredibly fast read and write speeds to keep up with the demands of the role. In addition to this, a significant amount of storage is necessary, with terabytes of data flowing through the airport. The airport holds an incredible amount of data, and having enough of the right data communication hardware makes this process as simple as possible.

Internet-of-Things solutions

The Internet-of-Things, or IoT, is becoming an even more prevalent concept in the world of business. This refers to smart devices having connections to the internet and supporting customers in new and unique ways. Using IoT solutions for tasks such as ticket pickup and luggage handling means saving time for employees to deal with more difficult issues. Further improvements involving the cloud mean that these systems are even more efficient, using cloud computing as a means of making airports more effective by the day.

Information security

With all of the sensitive information flying through airports, having a strong degree of information security is key. This means that passengers pass through without fear of cyberattacks accessing their personal data. Not only does this prevent legislative issues for the airport, but people feel more secure with the layers of information security a reputable airport has to offer.

Bayanat Engineering Qatar

If you’re interested in finding out how computer systems work in airports such as Qatar’s Hamad International Airport, get in touch with Bayanat Engineering to learn about the range of systems available.