Solutions that help with navigation, communication and meteorology across oceans

Especially in the area around Qatar, the sea can be dangerous and needs to be monitored to avoid serious issues. There is a range of solutions and technologies in place surrounding the marine world, including navigation, communications technology and meteorological forecasting to protect planes and passengers. Here are just a few of the technologies in place, and what they do to ensure you remain as safe as possible.

Navigation solutions

Navigating over the sea can be incredibly difficult. The world in front of you looks identical, and there are no major landmarks to help pilots to see where they are or even get a better idea of where they need to go. This is where airport technologies, as developed by Bayanat Engineering, can help, including satellite-based navigation system such as GBAS or SBAS.

Additionally, there are backups in the case of these systems failing. Technologies like Distance Measuring Equipment and a Non-Directional Beacon can let pilots know about their proximity to the airport, which can be all-important information to stop a pilot from getting lost at sea.

Communications technology

Keeping in contact with airports can also be incredibly important for pilots. Without the ability to discuss their flights, pilots that are facing serious issues would struggle to have a safe landing, and wouldn’t be able to arrange for any special requirements in the case of a major issue. When over the sea, one of the most important technologies available to a pilot is UHF/VHF radios. These Ultra High (or Very High) Frequency radios ensure that pilots are able to communicate with airports from up to 200 miles away. In the case of Hamad International Airport, this 200 miles is mostly sea, making high-frequency radios an excellent tool to use.

UHF/VHF is supported by technology such as Voice Communication Control Systems, which allow longer-range conversations to take place between pilots and air-traffic control. Pilots at all ranges are well supported by air traffic controllers thanks to these technologies, which means that even when at sea, they can be as informed as possible about developing conditions.

Meteorological forecasting

Finally, weather forecasting is a vital feature of flying over the sea. Weather events can vary significantly over the ocean, so making sure that pilots have all the information they need about conditions is paramount to keeping passengers and staff safe. Using a combination of LIDAR (to keep track of wind) and meteorological sensors, a pilot can get a better idea of the weather ahead of them before they get to it, allowing them to be ready for whatever might be coming their way.

This is combined with more specific and detailed features such as lightning detection systems. Lightning isn’t an active issue for aircraft as the charge is often dispersed throughout the plane, but avoiding the risk of a lightning strike causing more damage is always ideal. Aircraft and airports are packed with these pieces of technology, all to keep pilots, passengers and aircraft safe through their voyages across oceans.

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