Airport Authority of India Southern Region Headquarters, Chennai visited Belagavi Airport to Conduct a Runway Friction Test on the Runway 08/26 using the New Volvo F90 Car.

What is Runway Friction Testing?

Runway surface friction characteristics define the roughness of the runway surface that will provide for the braking action of the aircraft and will decelerate the aircraft after touch down and also help maintain its directional control during landing or after a decision to reject a take-off.

It evaluates runway pavement friction and identifies areas that may have experienced a loss in texture due to wear and rubber build-up.

AAI Owned Volvo V90 CAR’S FEATURE:

In order to measure friction on airport runways, taxiways, and roads, the SARSYS Surface Volvo Friction Tester (SVFT) combines a Volvo V90 CAR with an installed system. The system is driven by a measurement wheel that is mechanically coupled to one of the base car’s rear main wheels.

The electronic sensor system continuously detects forces on the measuring wheel mechanism due to friction against the runway surface and the vertical load on the measuring wheel. The measuring computer system in the SVFT then processes the signals from the sensor system.

The computer continually computes the friction coefficient, friction number, and relationship between the horizontal and vertical forces operating on the measurement wheel by processing these signals. The SVFT’s computer is pre-programmed to measure runway friction and report the results in accordance with ICAO, FAA, and other standards and guidelines.

The outcome is then displayed on the screen as a colored graph or it can be written out on paper in the form of a diagram and numbers. Additionally, the information can be sent through PC-USB or a radio link to additional receivers.