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Tinian ILS to be installed in 2007
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Posted on Nov 02 2006
The Tinian airport may finally be equipped with an instrument landing system by early next year.
According to Commonwealth Ports Authority executive director Clyde Norita, the Request for Proposal would be issued soon after the signing of a related agreement with the Federal Aviation Administration.
He said the FAA agreement is ready for signing any moment now.
The RFP, meantime, would be issued and open for 30 to 45 days.
“Given this RFP process, we’re looking at having the ILS installed by next year. Definitely next year,” said Norita.
He said that an RFP is a must, although there is already a manufacturer identified to sell the ILS.
Norita said that CPA would buy the ILS from Thales as approved by the FAA. It will be installed by a subcontractor or Thales itself.
“The FAA recommended that we go directly to the manufacturer to do the installation,” said Norita.
The Tinian government has allocated $3.5 million for the purchase and installation of ILS at the airport. This money was reprogrammed from local CIP funds.
The CPA, which runs the airport, had earlier paid for the ILS site inspection, which cost $45,000.
The Tinian delegation earlier said that the ILS would boost Tinian’s economy as it would allow international airlines to fly directly to Tinian.
Tinian leaders have said that the lack of ILS was the reason why the Tinian International Airport could not get direct flights.
They said that China Southern Airlines from Guangzho and China Eastern Airlines from Shanghai would land directly on Tinian once the ILS is set up.
CPA and FAA officials have said that the Tinian airport is safe for big aircraft landing with or without an ILS.
Speaking in connection with the yet to be signed FAA agreement, CPA said the ILS system for the Tinian airport is a non-FAA funded project so a special arrangement with the FAA under a reimbursable agreement is crucial to making sure the entire system is functional and meets all FAA standards.
