INTRODUCTION
Airport navigation lighting systems serve a critical role in protecting the nation’s air traffic, ensuring the safety and efficiency of night-time and low-visibility operations by identifying runways, hazards, and other obstacles that pilots may face. Therefore, the reliability of these lights is crucial for safely guiding pilots during taxiing, takeoffs, and landings.
CHALLENGE
Airports are faced with several challenges in maintaining the reliability of their navigation light systems such as the ongoing and time-consuming manual inspections of the lighting systems as required by the FCC. These physical inspections are costly and inefficient, while the traditional copper POTS lines that are used to transmit data between these systems, are at best, no longer affordable or at worst, being retired completely. Additionally, a damaged copper line provides no notification of any damage.
SOLUTION
POTS IN A BOX is a cutting-edge POTS replacement solution with battery backup providing robust communications using the internet and wireless technology. The POTS IN A BOX solution allows airports to seamlessly transition from manual inspections to sophisticated, proactive internet-based monitoring systems. Real-time polling data enables instant visibility into the operational status of each navigation light tower across an airport’s vast property while managing costs.
The system allows for quick identification and resolution of issues, dramatically reducing downtime and the need for expensive truck rolls and physical inspections or long waits for repairs. By enhancing operational efficiency, safety, and regulatory compliance in critical aviation infrastructure, DataRemote’s POTS IN A BOX is setting a new standard for airport navigation light maintenance.
BENEFITS
- Improved reliability
- Lower inspection costs
- Mass management of devices
- Real-time monitoring and alerts
- Multipath communication
Regulatory Considerations
The FCC has been given the authority by Congress to require the painting and/or illumination of antenna towers when it determines that such towers may otherwise constitute a menace to air navigation. 47 U.S.C. § 303(q).
