The work carried out by INFRACEA at the Helmuth Baumgarten Airfield, in the municipality of Lontras, has reached its final stage. Between March and the end of May, several services were carried out and, with the construction of a substation, the installation of a generator and the implementation of a rotating beacon, the work is only awaiting the documental phase, related to the approval of the airport, to be fully delivered.
Originally intended by the City Hall of Rio do Sul, the aerodrome already had registration with ANAC (National Civil Aviation Agency), but operated only during the daytime. A tender was opened, therefore, so that it would also be possible to operate during the night; from there it was stipulated that certain changes would have to be executed so that the airport could perform in a period of 24 hours in a safe way.
INFRACEA won the tender and designed the projects from scratch. Due to the characteristics of the aircraft that used the airfield, which involved the landing and taking off of gliders, it was decided that the use of built-in beacons was the best solution for this work, which was eventually ratified by ANAC in the meetings that followed. throughout the elaboration process.
Regular meetings were held so that the Municipality of Rio do Sul/SC could monitor and supervise the process, in order to guarantee that everything was delivered as stipulated. It was important that everything was done according to the verified need, so that there were no flight restrictions due to the types of aircraft.
It was then defined that the work would consist of the installation of built-in night beacons, two PAPI (Precision Approach Route Indicator), an illuminated windsock with a solar , a rotating beacon, illuminated vertical s, patio lighting, a network of ducts and primary and secondary power supply systems (generator and batteries). The most interesting thing about the work, however, is that the entire beaconing system can be activated remotely by the pilot of the aircraft with his VHF radio on board, without the need for an operator on the ground.
A frequency is established for activation and the pilot, when approaching the runway to land, uses the same frequency to light the beacons, which remain on for a period of 15 minutes. Of course, automatic beaconing does not invalidate the manual option; if necessary, it is still possible to ask an on-site employee to activate the standard mode.
Overall, this is a work that should bring a series of improvements to the airport and to the region as a whole. In a pandemic context, being able to operate H24 (24 hours a day), every day of the week, is an invaluable benefit for delivering vaccines and moving potential patients.
But outside this scenario, these improvements also benefit the economy, since the region has large businessmen who are now able to use the air modal with greater flexibility, in addition to aircraft with patients (Air ICU), public safety, firefighters, transport securities and all general aviation, in addition, of course, to commercial aviation.
It must be ed that airports are employment hubs, and the extension of operating hours can easily translate into more necessary jobs at the airfield, in addition to the underlying services and trades. An airport terminal is an important factor for the economy and the entire region.
“I believe this was a pioneering work in Brazil, it is the first with all built-in beacons”, said Luciano Vicente, Technical Director of INFRACEA, when talking about the challenges of the work, which involved different stages such as: topographical survey, adaptation of the project to the reality of the airport and the operation of its aircraft, distance and power of the beacons, conductor diameter and conduits, age boxes or metallic shelters, generator and substation power, electrical protection system and the implanted beaconing.
In the end, it was verified that all the elements were working properly, and now it is only the final stage of homologation that is expected so that the airport can definitively operate not only during the day, but also at night. The future of the works in Rio do Sul is encouraging, in addition to what has already been done, the airport may receive a enger terminal, making it even more complete.
Via INFRACEA.
