How technology is making air traffic management better
Air Traffic Control (ATC) is home to some of the most vital operations of any airline or airport. Air traffic controllers are responsible for ensuring the safe passage of aircraft through controlled airspace by monitoring the location of other flights within the same area and notifying pilots of changes to weather conditions and other environmental hazards.
The work of air traffic controllers has traditionally been done using a combination of radios and cameras as well as manual work. Today, technology is helping to automate some of the work of ATC teams, which can improve efficiency and decrease costs, all while improving safety and outcomes for passengers and crew. Let’s explore two of the most revolutionary technologies that ATC teams today can benefit from.
VCCS: Voice Communication Control System)
VCCS, or Voice Communication Control System, is a concept designed to replace traditional voice communication with a digital data link that offers enhanced functionality. VCCS connects a number of different communication functions together, including VHF Tx/RX and telephone, to enable maximum flexibility for ATC professionals communicating with colleagues both on the ground and in the air.
VCCS offers many benefits to air traffic control teams. Enhanced efficiency is improved by having all air and ground communication occurring in a single digital link, rather than separate data and voice transmissions. Preparation time is also improved with VCCS since organizations can pre-record messages to aircrews and other staff to speed up response times when emergencies occur.
Finally, air traffic control managers benefit from the ability to customise voice communication control systems to fit existing systems and protocols.
EFS: Electronic Flight Strips
Electronic Flight Strips, or EFS, replace analogue flight strips in many air traffic control offices today. EFS strips are part of an air traffic control system designed to replace paper documents with digital information, which can include flight plans, clearances, and other types of air traffic control-related work.
EFS strips offer many benefits for air traffic management teams around the world. For example, air traffic managers benefit from the ability to easily distribute air strip data to aircraft and crew, as well as enabling ATC professionals to obtain real-time updates during takeoff, landing, and mid-flight. EFS also makes it easier to record and track data, which can then be used by stakeholders to make important decisions relating to ATC management.
As is the case with VCCS, one of the biggest benefits of EFS is simply that it makes the job of air traffic controllers much simpler, and reduces the downtime and delays often caused by using analogue flight strips. With the help of EFS, ATC teams can work more efficiently and more quickly, which means increasing response times to unexpected incidents and improving outcomes in the event of disruptions.
What does the future of ATC look like?
The future of ATC is bright, provided ATC teams continue to embrace the technology that’s available to them. At Bayanat Engineering, we are experts in aviation technology, including communication, radar systems, surveillance, and more. If you’d like to know more about how you can implement cutting-edge technology to improve ATC management, get in touch.