RPAS TECHNOLOGY FOR ENHANCED FOD DETECTION: KLIA CASE STUDY

Abstract

This paper is focused on the issues of Foreign Object Debris (FOD) detection on the airport runways, specifically at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Aerodrome. Current manual FOD detection methods are rather time-consuming, error-prone and pose risks to the aviation safety, causing operational disruptions, financial losses and possible fatal risks. The current manual procedure includes the time taken by runway safety officers to reach the search area, perform the FOD search, detect and remove the foreign objects, and potentially conduct full-length runway inspection before notifying the Aerodrome Air Traffic Controller (ATC) that the “Runway is Clear from FOD”. These procedures can lead to operational disruptions that subsequently result in unscheduled runway closures. In this study, an improved solution is proposed, which involves integration of the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) or drones, particularly those with the Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) capabilities, into air traffic management (ATM) for immediate, accurate and reliable runway FOD detection. However, designing the safe and efficient BVLOS RPAS system within the ATM framework also presents few challenges. This research aims to develop an effective runway inspection approach within the context of ATM, considering both RPAS and traditional methods. Through comprehensive analysis, the study seeks to enhance runway safety, optimize the inspection procedures and improve the airport operation. Successful implementation of this proposed innovative FOD detection approach will maintain runway conditions, enhance capacity, minimize disruptions and improve operational efficiency.