Weekly review #117 - 22nd September

ANSP news

• Crocontrol - Compatibility of AMC Portal System with EnforceAir Drone Detection System − Network Identification Function Implemented - Croatia Control together with D-FEND solutions agreed on the integration of the AMC Portal and EnforceAir systems to create a unique solution acceptable to ANSPs for providing UTM services in the immediate vicinity of airports through the proof of compatibility of the two systems.
• DFS Aviation Services successfully delivers the PHOENIX tower system to Fuzuli airport for Azerbaijan Air Navigation Services - DFS Aviation Services was chosen to deliver one PHOENIX tower system each to two newly-built airports in Azerbaijan for the end customer AZANS (Azerbaijan Air Navigation Services).
• BULATSA successfully completes 2015_217_AF4 project - The SESAR deployment project 2015_217_AF4 was successfully completed by BULATSA. The initiative implemented a traffic complexity management system in Sofia ACC, fully satisfying the requirements of PCP – Sub-AF 4.2, related to the implementation of automated support for traffic complexity assessment.
• UkSATSE starts to provide air navigation services in part of Slovak airspace - The first flight to Uzhhorod International Airport was operated under the arrival, departure and approach procedures for instrument flight. Uzhhorod International Airport is located in a mountainous area so that the threshold of runway 10 is a few hundred metres from the Ukrainian-Slovak border. The use of the airspace of a neighbouring country is a necessary condition for conducting instrument landings at this aerodrome.
• NATS - Air traffic controllers aid Perfect Flight demonstration - A cross-industry collaboration of aviation partners demonstrated how they are working towards the ‘Perfect Flight’, with a flight between Heathrow and Glasgow on 14 September 2021, showing the efforts being made to reduce aviation’s carbon footprint. Led by British Airways and involving Heathrow and Glasgow airports, Airbus and BP, it was up to NATS to ensure that air traffic controllers optimised the flight profile and provided the most direct routing.
• DFS - Fewer and fewer radio beacons required to guide aircraft - DFS is currently developing satellite-based approach and departure procedures in German airspace as part of a comprehensive innovation programme. With the new navigation infrastructure in the vicinity of airports, the majority of radio beacons on the ground can be dispensed with, making room for more wind turbines. Current plans will see 10 radio beacons be decommissioned by 2025.

Context information

• ENAIRE's Master's in air navigation services management inaugurated - Isabel Pardo de Vera, Secretary of State for Transport, Mobility and the Urban Agenda and ENAIRE’s President, has opened ENAIRE’s Master’s in Air Navigation Services Management at the company’s headquarters in Madrid.

Reports and data

• NAV CANADA reports August traffic figures - In August 2021 weighted charging units increased by an average of 66.9 percent compared to the same month in 2020. As compared to the same month in 2019, August 2021 weighted charging units decreased by an average of 42.2 percent.
• Oro Navigacija: number of flights is increasing, positive financial results recorded - The summer period is definitely a holiday season. This fact has a positive impact on air traffic, which demonstrated the biggest increase in August. Last month, the total number of flights handled by the specialists of state enterprise Oro Navigacija, compared to the same period last year, increased one and a half times and amounted to 18.4 thousand flights.

Research and innovation

• Think Research - Airspace Considerations for UK Spaceports - Could space tourism launch from the UK? James Lewis explores the proposed UK spaceports and the airspace considerations required to launch safely.
• ENAIRE and Government of Navarre sign action protocol to promote aviation R&D - Spain’s Ministry of Transport, Mobility and the Urban Agenda, through ENAIRE, and the government of Navarre, through its Interior Department, have signed an action protocol to promote R&D in the field of aviation.

UAV and UTM

• Unmanned airspace - NASA selects LMI consortium to study access to Upper Class E traffic management and develop a roadmap - NASA has selected a team led by logistics company LMI to conduct a study of Upper Class E airspace markets and traffic management.
• Unmanned airspace - Doosan Mobility Innovation hydrogen drones to feature Iris detect and avoid systems - Iris Automation has announced the company has partnered with Doosan Mobility Innovation for the integration of its Casia detect and avoid system with DMI’s family of hydrogen powered systems and drones. The joint solution will enable DMI’s clients to operate safer advanced missions like beyond visual line of sight and accelerates the Korean manufacturer’s entrance into the US market.
• Unmanned airspace - Switzerland publishes summary of latest U-space progress and next developments due to take place - The Federal Office of Civil Aviation Switzerland has published a summary of the latest U-space achievements and the upcoming developments in Switzerland. FOCA decided to summarize the latest U-space achievements in Switzerland and the next steps to be taken ahead of the application of the European Commission’s regulatory package which is due to come into force in January 2023.