An aviation expert from Maninagar, Prashant Patel, is headed to usher in a mini revolution in the aviation industry. Patel is the joint general manager at airport traffic management of Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport at Mumbai. He is heading an initiative titled continuous descent operation (CDO) — a technique wherein, the descent of an aircraft is planned very much in advance so that it doesn’t have to halt at different heights to watch out for other aircraft movements. In CDO, the aircraft proceeds to a ceaseless landing, reducing descent time, greatly improving fuel efficiency, improving life of aircraft and passenger comfort. Implementation of CDO is changing the procedure and operations of each flight and taking them in a logical sequence. “We have not changed anything in avionics of the aircraft. We have not even changed anything at the equipment of air traffic control offices. What we have changed is charting the descent of the aircraft in a planned manner,” Patel said. He added that it also reduces burden on the ATC staff because every descent is planned and amount of work and effort involved for them is reduced.Patel was born and brought up in Ahmedabad and completed his post graduation in science from Gujarat University before joining Airport Authorities of India as trainee officer in air traffic control. “We started implementation of CDO in Mumbai since August 2012. On Thursday Ahmedabad became second airport to test the CDO technique. I am happy to train pilots and airport traffic management (ATM) members of Sardar Patel International Airport as it is my home,” Patel told dna.Airspace strategic objective includes safety, capacity, access and efficiency. “CDO involves objective pertaining to environmental protection and sustainable development of air transportation,” Patel said.Technically, aircraft uses highest thrust while taking off (departure) and touching down (descent or landing). “If thrust is higher, then the fuel consumption and its emission will also be higher. Therefore, if the process to land and depart is made smooth, efficiency can also be increased,” Patel added.“It is just two days for testing of CDO in Ahmedabad where it has began with only 13 flights. Initial results are encouraging as most flights have shown decline in carbon emissions as well as fuel savings. Savings so far is 132 kg in fuel and less emissions to the tune of 415 kg,” said A Sanyal, joint general manager Ahmedabad ATM. She added that even if 20 flights can carry out CDO it is estimated that carbon emission savings would amount 30,000 tonnes a year.It should be noted that everyday 65 flights take off and land at Ahmedabad.

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