Jan/Feb 2001

26 January -- Air Traffic staffing worries for UK, BBC says

 

Talking your language
The stress and speed of response is increasing, placing new requirements on their prime method of interaction with both air and ground - the communications system, according to Chris Nunn, Marketing Communications Manager, Drake Electronics Ltd, U.K.

 

UK Extends its RADNET as preparation for Scottish centre
The UK RADNET (Radar Data Distribution Network) is, together with the Continental RADNET of Europe, probably one of the most sophisticated radar surveillance infrastructures in the world. In an endeavour to cater for additional Scottish radars and users, and to prepare for the New Scottish Centre (NSC) in Prestwick, the UK’s National Air Traffic Services (NATS) have expanded their proven surveillance communication network.

 


 

February 5 -- UK controllers threaten strike at annual meeting

 

28 February -- EADS bows out of NATS PPP bid

 

6 March -- Lockheed may get FAA ATM contract
The US FAA may bypass the usual bidding route and give Lockheed Martin the contract to build a replacement for its high-altitude, long distance air traffic control center system, the New York Times reported this morning.

 

Safety first in Europe
An interview with Víctor Aguado, Director General of Eurocontrol by Suzanne Christiansen

 

Surveillance on a grand scale
The deployment of an ambitious nation-wide ADS-B network based on VDL mode 4 in Russia will enable accurate surveillance without extensive infrastructure.

 

LAAS Approaching
LAAS terminal approach criteria, as the FAA currently envision them, are too conservative, says airspace designer Robert Varani. Carroll McCormick learns how he is working to push the terminal approach envelope in Chicago.

 

Domesticating CAATS
Eleven years after the first contract was signed, the Canadian Automated Air Traffic System has finally passed site acceptance testing. Now Nav Canada begins deploying the behemoth. Carroll McCormick reports.

 

Measurement of Novel ATM Systems
Ian Wilson explains that finding the right questions to ask in safety measurement is more difficult than it first appears.

 

An Upgrade in Maastricht
A look at the Maastricht area, including the UAC, by Stafford Wadsworth.

 

Slot lottery temporary fix for airport chaos
A lottery to determine who gets the slots at LaGuardia is a temporary fix for a long-term capacity problem.

 

Talking points
Change is afoot in traditional voice switching as the trend moves towards thinking not just in terms of voice communications, but in terms of data processing between air and ground.

 

Eyes on Asia-Pacific
The ATC Asia-Pacific show in Singapore, held at the Pan Pacific Hotel November 14-15, saw the spotlight turned on this growing air traffic region. Suzanne Christiansen reports.

 

Under surveillance