The Frangible Evolution - Safety On All Airfield Supporting Structures!

Posted on Jan 31, 2011 - 03:56 PM

The ICAO Aerodrome Design Manual, part 6, Frangibility, lay the ground for suppliers wanting to delivery support structures for airfield applications. The ADM manual must be an even more dynamic legislation than it is today, regulating what seem to be a market in need of strict governance. The ICAO requirements are very strict and hard to abide by, says Managing Director at Lattix Systems, Mr. Bendigtsen. But, as a serious and long term supplier in this safety airfield market, we aim to be "best in class" by continuously documenting our compliance, he adds.

Proving the facts

Lattix Systems AS (formerly Juralco Aviation) had invested heavily in full scale testing and simulation, assuring complete compliance to the regulation of its frangible product line Lattix. This is important to our customers, Bendigtsen says, as people's safety is at risk should anything unforeseen happen in an approach or taxying to and from the runway. It has taken the better half of last decade to do the full scale impact tests, commissioning numerous costly simulations, engaging consulting firms checking and confirming the product features that collectively make up the ICAO frangibility compliance. It takes time to build the confidence and standing that the frangible Lattix products has today.

Traffic increase on and around the runway

Lattix Systems first started delivering frangible masts to approach light systems. This is where focus first was put in the frangible evolution. As air traffic grew at an almost explosive force and as awareness in frangibility in ALL supporting structures alongside the airfield becomes a daily issue, the need for safer structures in all areas became evident. This includes everything from approach light masts to the ILS, AWOS, wind cone, antenna and perimeter surveillance supporting structures. It is not only the air trafflc that is growing, but all surrounding traffic as well. The infrastructure inside and outside the airfield is just as much affected - airport vehicles, people and goods.

Frangible supporting structures is the only way towards a safer, morereliable and sustainable airfield. With air traffic increasing, the need for safe and durable support structures also become more important. With an increased "frangibility" market, there is also a need for ICAO to continue to impose regulation governing a safer flight through frangible supporting structures.

Frangible structures need withstand the harshest of weather conditions. In addition to holding steady that light or antenna in all weather conditions, and also standing strong when exposed to jet blast, the frangible structure needs to break or give way upon impact of a fragile aircraft wing. Strong, but soft and safe.

Key words in a sustainable frangible supporting structure:

• Non-intrusive and non-corrosiv
• Strong, durable, light weight
• Sustainable, recyclable and environmentally safe
• Confronting to ICAO Areodrome Desigrr Manual, Frangibility, part 6

Mr. Bendigtsen proudly refer to Lattix Systems AS as a major supplier offrangible supporting structure solutions to the airport industry. The company has delivered frangible masts to more than 200 airports in well over 40 countries supplying products which conform to strict ICAO safety regulations. Lattix Systems AS delivers frangible support solutions to airfield applications, such as:

• Approach light systems
• AWOS/Met systems,
• ILS systems (Glide path and localizers)
• Wind cone systems
• Antenna, WiFi/WLAN
• Perimeter surveillance systems.

The Lattix mast is not only frangible, but it's aluminum lattice structure adds safety and strength to a well-designed and sustainable product - in line with today's focus on delivering environmentally sound project solutions.

Meeting the needs of the market

After many years of deliveries to many different contractors and airports, the frangible Lattix product line has developed and adapted - always meeting the needs for quick and reliable installations, and durable and easily maintained solutions.

In close cooperation with the useres a new and improved crossbar was developed and introduced to the market recently. With its stiffness it is able to catry 5 + 1 light on one mast, thus saving money on installing less masts. Further, with its smart cable fittings, it adds a protection to the cables from the environment. The fixing details allows for quick installations, quick adjustments and little maintenance. All in all saving money on the initial investment as well as saving money due to less maintenance time.

This is just one of many Lattix success stories aimed at saving money whilst complying to the ICAO frangibility requirements.