Frangibility
Frangibility is a critical concept in airport design and operations, ensuring that certain structures do not pose significant risks to aircraft during collisions. From frangible masts supporting navigational aids to structures designed for controlled breakage, this principle enhances safety while maintaining operational efficiency.
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What Is Frangibility in Airports?
Frangibility refers to the ability of a structure or object to break, bend, or deform in a controlled manner upon impact. The goal is to minimize damage to an aircraft and reduce the risk of injuries during accidents.
In airport contexts, frangibility ensures that critical installations such as approach lights, elevated runway and taxiway lights, airfield guidance signs, wind direction indicators, or instrument landing systems (ILS) do not create hazardous obstructions.
Aircraft accidents are rare but potentially catastrophic. Structures that comply with frangibility standards reduce the likelihood of severe damage during a collision.
The Role of Frangible Masts in Airports
Frangible masts are lightweight, specially engineered poles and lattice masts designed to break or collapse upon impact. They are primarily used for mounting lighting systems and other navigational aids near runways and taxiways.
Breakable couplings are mainly used to install elevated AGL lights on the flange without compromising the safety of the aircraft operations within the manoeuvring area in the undesired event of the aircraft impacting the elevated light. Breakable couplings are designed to break at low height in order to minimise any damage to the aircraft.
Types of Frangible Masts and Their Functions:
The design and material composition of frangible masts ensure they meet strict safety standards while remaining functional. Aluminium lightweight and corrosion-resistant masts are a popular choice for frangible masts mainly due to their excellent integrity, lightweight and extended life-span with minor maintenance.
Regulatory Standards for Frangibility
Frangibility is a highly regulated aspect of airport design. Compliance with international standards ensures the safety and efficiency of aviation operations.
The Aerodrome Design Manual Doc 9157- Part 6 of ICAO provides specific requirements and recommendations for frangible structures in airports. Some of them are:
- Structures must break or deform upon impact at specified speeds.
- Masts should be lightweight and positioned to minimize risk.
- Frangibility testing is mandatory for certification.
AES Airport Solutions as your Frangible Masts Supplier
At AES Airport Solutions, we do not conceive our activity without offering the highest standards of safety. In this regard we offer a complete range of frangible solutions to suit all kinds of airfield ground lighting equipment. In addition, thanks to our strong partnership with Lattix® we can deliver comprehensive approach lighting systems solutions including frangible aluminium poles and masts, configurable and adaptable to all kind of customer needs.
We have a track record of successfully installed frangible approach masts with special mention to the extension of Runway 18 approach lighting system at Kastamonu Airport or the complete approach lighting system of Runway 21L at Ankara Esenboğa Airport.
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