Weekly review #107 - 14th July

As well as our weekly news updates, we've got another podcast for you to check out!

This week we talk with Jochen Bauer, the Director of Sales & Marketing at Guntermann & Drunck. With his expert help, we take a look at KVM switches and the fascinating ways in which they're solving problems in ATC.

Here’s the link so you can find out more.

In the podcast we cover: 

• What are the roles and advantages of KVM switches and extenders in ATC
• Are there features that are specific to ATM
• Does G&D develop specific products on request 
• Are there ATM features that later got used by non-ATM customers and vice-versa (i.e. features from other industries coming to ATM)
• What is the future of KVM switching 

Let us know what you think after you've given it a listen. 

As ever, we've also got all the news from the world of ATC.

Among the highlights is the news that Altitude Angel and iOCO have formed a strategic partnership to advance UAM operations across South Africa. And, there are (more) insightful briefings from EUROCONTROL on the impact of Covid-19 on Airports. 

Explore the links below so you can learn more!

ANSP news

• ANSL Launches UK-First Simulator-Based Air Traffic Control Full Unit Training - ANSL has today announced the launch of a Unit Training Programme that enables Air Traffic Control Officers to utilise simulators as a key training element throughout full unit training.
• The time for IP in air traffic comms has landed - There is a critical need to upgrade ANSP communications networks as current technology has reached its end of life and has limited support from suppliers; transitioning the industry to an all IP-based network environment has become imperative.
• The Government approves the digitisation of voice and data communications at ENAIRE's Air Traffic Control Centre in Seville and the Málaga Tower - The Council of Ministers authorised the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and the Urban Agenda to digitise the voice and data communications at ENAIRE's Air Traffic Control Centre in Seville and at the tower in the Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport, which have reached the end of their life cycle and require an upgrade that incorporates new digital technologies.

Market news

• Altitude Angel & iOCO Form Strategic Alliance to Advance UAM Operations Across South Africa - Altitude Angel and iOCO, South Africa’s largest ICT solutions supplier, have agreed to form an alliance with the strategic aim of providing the building blocks on which the country’s urban air mobility infrastructure can be built and supported.

Context information

• MovingDot develops PBN roadmap 2020-2030 - Over the past year, MovingDot has worked on the PBN Roadmap 2020-2030 for The Netherlands, which was presented to the House of Representatives on June 16th by the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management. In the PBN Roadmap 2020-2030 we discuss the developments of PBN and we present an implementation strategy.

Reports and data

• COVID-19 Impact on EUROCONTROL Airports - Copenhagen - EUROCONTROL has released a new series of briefings on the impact of COVID-19 on airports. In this latest issue, we focus on Copenhagen Airport.
• DFS - The slump is over - DFS registered another increase in traffic volumes in June 2021. Nevertheless, the volumes in the first half of the year only reached a third of the 2019 levels.
• COVID-19 Impact on EUROCONTROL Airports - London/Heathrow - EUROCONTROL has released a new series of briefings on the impact of COVID-19 on airports. In this latest issue, we focus on London/Heathrow Airport.
• COVID-19 Impact on EUROCONTROL Airports - Madrid - EUROCONTROL has released a new series of briefings on the impact of COVID-19 on airports. In this latest issue, we focus on Madrid Airport.
• Oro Navigacjia - the number of serviced flights in June doubled - In June the total number of flights serviced by the specialists of state enterprise Oro Navigacija increased 2.3 times in comparison to the same period last year and comprised 14.5 thousand flights. Nevertheless, such number of flights is almost twice smaller than the results of 2019.

Research and innovation

• EUROCONTROL trials integration of cross-border weather forecasters in Network Operations to boost operational support to aviation stakeholders - As part of a new trial to enhance the way the EUROCONTROL NM uses cross-border weather forecasts to improve network planning in support of network delay reduction, we will be integrating experts from six meteorological organisations over the next 2 months into our network operations centre.

UAV and UTM

• Israel begins second phase of NAAMA programme to test multiple drone operations in urban environments - Unmanned airspace - After a successful initial phase, AI-based multi-flight system and UTM specialist Airwayz Drones has resumed its participation in a two-year pilot program, which will see multiple fleets of drones tested beyond any other scheme to validate the safe and efficient use of drones in urban environments. The second phase of the event will see an increased number of drones, operators, and the introduction of helicopters and other low-flying vehicles into the airspace.
• ASTMI reports progress on revised remote ID, UAS impact, demo and UTM standards development - Unmanned airspace - ASTM International reports its subcommittee on flight operations (F38.02) is revising one of its hallmark standards: the specification for remote identification and tracking (F3411) and developing a means of compliance.