Press Release |
Enlightenment at Phoenix Airport
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is one in a rapidly growing list of Airports to have implemented an advanced airport light monitoring system and maintenance methodology from TMS Photometrics, (www.tmsphotometrics.com) - a world leader in the mobile photometric measurement and management of Aeronautical Ground Lighting (AGL) systems.
Coventry, UK 11th October 2005. TMS Photometrics, in association with USA based Navaid Lighting Associates Inc, have announced that Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), Arizona, USA, has joined the rapidly growing number of airports from around the world who have invested in TMS Photometrics' unique Mobile Airfield Light Monitoring System (MALMS). This high technology, mobile photometric measurement system, has been specifically developed to measure the performance of safety critical Airfield Ground Lighting (AGL) runway services (including Runway Centre Line, Touch Down Zone and Elevated Edge). The airport has also undertaken training and implemented a 'Differential Maintenance' programme.
Like many other airports, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport has experienced massive growth over the past decade. It is an established regional hub for domestic flights, and is also fast becoming a major centre for international non-stop flights. In 2004 it handled nearly 40 million passengers, a new record high, and currently ranks as the 5th busiest airport in the world for takeoffs and landings, and has been designated the 'World's Busiest Three-Runway Airport'.
In such an environment, it is vital that the compliance of any operational system is not left to chance, especially not a safety critical issue such as Airfield Ground Lighting. "We welcome the fact that Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport has not only recognised the importance of maintaining its AGL systems to recognised standards, and being able to prove compliance, but has also decided to employ our specially developed technology and maintenance practices, which are already proven to effectively maintain AGL system performance at the levels now specified," reports Vernon Taylor, Managing Director of TMS Photometrics.
He adds, "The Airport had come to realise that its traditional maintenance approach meant variable AGL system performance and higher than necessary maintenance costs. This was highlighted by our initial inspections, which revealed that despite ongoing maintenance, its AGL systems were still affected by a range of lighting issues from low lamp performance to misalignment. Moreover, when you consider that its shortest runway has almost 2000 runway/taxiway lights, it is no wonder that maintenance staff were finding that the traditional manual based monitoring practices were increasingly impractical - not least because of both the staff effort and the runway time involved."
Whereas, with its new, highly accurate, MALMS system, a single operator, who requires no special training, can undertake a complete runway analysis within just 4 minutes, with the subsequent results pinpointing exactly which lights are under performing and providing indications as to the possible causes. As a result, the Airport is finding that it is easily able to inspect all its systems on a very regular basis. In addition, it is also starting to discover what existing users have already proven. This is that when MALMS is employed within a Differential Maintenance approach, not only can AGL system performance be raised and then continually maintained to the required standards, but that this improved system performance can be delivered while minimising maintenance manpower and material resource waste, and reducing overall maintenance spending and AGL life cycle costs.
The MALMS system purchased by Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport incorporates a custom built trailer, high accuracy light sensor array, position sensor array, navigation module, rugged communications network, touch screen data collection system and the PC based MALMS Office Data Analysis System for data storage, analysis and output. A MALMS Photometric Bench provides for the on-site testing of fittings prior to their return to service. Differential Maintenance is a proven preventative maintenance regime that employs routine photometric measurement to rapidly pinpoint lighting degradation problems, and then uses this data to effectively target, prioritise and monitor maintenance activity.
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Background Information
TMS Photometrics is a division of Tailor Made Systems Ltd, and is based in Coventry, UK. The Mobile Airfield Light Monitoring System (MALMS) is the result of an extensive research program commissioned by the UK Civil Aviation Authority, and conducted in conjunction with the MOD and DERA.
This research firstly confirmed that due to a variety of factors (current variation, lamp aging, unpredictable contamination build up), traditional light performance monitoring (visual observation, spot readings with light meters and primary current measurement) and maintenance practices (such as block change and spot replacement approaches) are no longer sufficient to maintain systems within the new standards set by ICAO and advised by the FAA. It also proved (confirming ICAO and FAA recommendations) that to effectively meet performance level objectives, requires a combination of using a mobile measuring unit on a routine basis to analyse the characteristics of individual lights, and the adoption of new preventive maintenance approaches.
MALMS has been specifically developed as a mobile system that can easily, rapidly, accurately, and reliably, measure the photometric performance of both inset and elevated AGL runway services (Runway Centre Line, TDZ, Inset and Elevated Edge, Inset Approach) against the criteria for beam intensity and orientation defined in ICAO Annex 14, using the test methodology that Annex 14 specifies. It is therefore suitable to confirm compliance with National and International Standards. MALMS also produces routine reports and detailed graphical information for use by airfield engineering and maintenance staff.
However, while measurement can demonstrate compliance, or lack of it, it cannot ensure compliance. To effectively deliver this requires an integrated maintenance approach. Differential Maintenance, which has also been developed by TMS, in association with the UK CAA and supporting UK aerodromes, is now proven to provide such a regime. This approach enables serviceability levels to be maintained in an effective and efficient manner.
MALMS and the Differential Maintenance strategy are now being regularly employed in airports worldwide; from London Heathrow and throughout Europe, to the Middle East, Far East, Australia and North America.
For more information contact;
Vernon Taylor, Tailor Made Systems Ltd, Barclays Venture Centre, University of Warwick Science Park, Coventry UK, CV4 7EZ, Tel +44 (0)24 7641 7421, Email: sales@tmsphotometrics.com
http://www.tmsphotometrics.com
or
Andrew Lee-Mortimer,
Tel 0161 740 6065, email; andrew@lee-mortimer.prestel.co.uk
