With AMMS to Antarctica!

Equipped with the Advanced Moving Map System and TDS-56D display, Il-76-TD airplane has been recommended for operation in the Civil Aviation. These are results of successfully completed testing of TRANSAS navigational equipment performed during flights to Antarctica.

The AMMS and TDS-56D systems were installed on board of Il-76TD airplane belonging to 'Avialinii 400' airlines on November 1st of the last year. In the period from 3.11.03. to 16.02.04. sixteen 6-hour flights were made from Cape Town (Republic of South Africa) to Novolazarevskaya station for the delivery of the Antarctic expedition members and cargo, as well as long-continued flights on St.-Petersburg - Cape Town and Moscow - Cape Town routes.

Sergey Gomorev, a test engineer, took part in the expedition on the part of TRANSAS.

The objective of the installation has been to determine the possibility and efficiency of their joint use on this type of aircraft.

The use of these systems was necessitated by the complexity and uniqueness of flights conducted by the airline. Flights over an unmarked area in adverse weather conditions were in prospect.

In the course of flights between Cape Town and Novolazarevskaya, the AMMS used the NaviJet aeronautical database produced by TRANSAS and containing maneuvering procedures in the area of Novolazarevskaya aerodrome. Application of this unique data and the use of the AMMS satellite system capabilities enabled an accurate approach to Novolazarevskaya aerodrome to be implemented in the complete absence of radio approach aids in the conditions of uncontrolled airspace.

Such capabilities of the equipment allow the aircraft operation range to be considerably enhanced, and can be used not only by the commercial airlines running Il-76 airplanes, but also by the government aviation of the Emergency Response Ministry and the Ministry of Defense.