Aircraft arrives in Pokhara to conduct 'calibration flight'

Published On: November 19, 2022 08:30 PM NPT By: Santosh Pokharel

POKHARA, Nov 19: An Aero Thai aircraft has arrived in Pokhara for calibration flights (mechanical test) at the Pokhara Regional International Airport.

According to sources at the airport, the aircraft arrived in Pokhara from Nepalgunj on Saturday morning.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) informed that the Thai company will conduct calibration flights at the Pokhara Regional International Airport starting from November 21. CAAN has approved the flight schedule for the calibration flights till November 27. Accordingly, a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) has been issued managing regular flights from the airport.

According to Anup Joshi, spokesperson of Pokhara Regional International Airport, NOTAM has been issued for calibration flights from 10AM to 1PM and from 2:30 PM to 5:30PM. There won’t be any scheduled flights during the time of calibration flights, said Joshi

Regular flights to Pokhara will be affected for a few days due to the test.

According to Joshi, the aircraft that arrived for the calibration flight will test all the equipment connected to the Pokhara Regional International Airport. The communication equipment is still being tested. In particular, the Instrument Landing System (ILS) will be tested during the calibration flight. This technology is useful during take-offs and landing.

Joshi added that all the technologies including communication and navigation of the airport will be tested during this period.

Currently, more than two dozen large airplanes are flying from Pokhara airport every day. Regular flights are being conducted to Kathmandu, Bharatpur, Bhairahawa, Dhangadhi, Nepalgunj and Jomsom from Pokhara.

During the period of calibration flight, regular flights can be operated before 10AM and from 1PM to 2:30PM. Most of the flights will take place from half past five till late in the evening after the calibration flights are over .

“In case there won’t be any fog, regular flights will begin early in the morning. However, regular flights might get affected as the weather is getting colder and the calibration flight will take place too," said Gautam Baral, station manager of Buddha Air in Pokhara.

CAAN is making preparations to operate the Pokhara Regional International Airport from January 1, 2023.