Asia's pioneering achievement in aviation safety and operational resilience is now a reality at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai. On a momentous note, CSMIA proudly unveiled the continent's inaugural 'Disabled Aircraft Recovery Kit' (DARK), revolutionizing the ability to assist stranded aircraft, as announced by officials on Monday.

DARK represents a cutting-edge facility, comprising high-pressure lifting bags known for their remarkable durability while demanding minimal manpower. This novel approach promises a markedly more efficient aircraft recovery process compared to the conventional low-pressure alternatives. DARK boasts an impressive maximum weight-bearing capacity of 390 tonnes, making it capable of swiftly rescuing large commercial and transport aircraft, including the colossal Boeing 777-300ER. These capabilities extend to addressing runway excursions and other critical incidents, which pose significant aviation safety concerns.

Runway excursions, defined as instances when an aircraft veers off or surpasses the designated runway boundaries during take-off or landing, demand prompt and meticulous intervention to safeguard passengers, aircraft, and airport operations, as emphasized by officials. The recovery process entails a methodical sequence of steps, encompassing ground preparations, aircraft lifting, de-bogging, and towing. DARK's compact design enhances its portability, expediting the arrival of rescue teams at crash sites, thus minimizing operational disruptions. This becomes especially crucial for CSMIA, which operates with a single cross-over runway.

DARK's sophistication enables its operation with a smaller team of trained personnel, thanks to its space-efficient footprint. Moreover, the recovery process unfolds four times faster compared to the traditional low-pressure bag system, a fact highlighted by officials.

To ensure seamless utilization of DARK, CSMIA's Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting team embarked on an intensive five-day training program. The curriculum encompassed various aspects, including legal considerations, tethering procedures, ground stabilization techniques, lifting methodologies employing low-pressure bags, multi-sling deployment, and de-bogging procedures.

Both theoretical and practical training exercises took place within a vast hangar at CSMIA, where DARK's different components, spread across 46 containers, were meticulously assembled. These components included a compressor to power the bag inflation systems, tethers for stabilizing the six-meter-tall inflated bags, a trailer, and wing transition equipment. This comprehensive preparation ensures that DARK stands ready to play a pivotal role in enhancing aviation safety and operational resilience in the Asian region.

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