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Will remote Towers enhance Air Traffic Safety ?

The growing need for remote towers was one of the hot topics discussed at the Global Air Traffic Management (GATM) conference, held at Dubai Airshow 2019 on the 19 and 20 November.

The importance of collaboration across the industry was also a key theme, as delegates heard efficiency was improved when stakeholders, even competing airlines, collaborate with each other in decision making. 

The conference was opened by Ibrahim Ahli, Deputy CEO, Dubai Air Navigation Services (dans), who highlighted the vital role of the industry in the day to day running of aviation: “Air traffic management is undoubtedly the backbone of aviation. Any disturbance in air traffic can result in a complete halt of operations within any airport environment,” he said.

Efficient air traffic management is particularly vital at Dubai International Airport (DXB), which saw its billionth passenger pass through in 2019, Ahli said. He added: “Despite the challenges around every corner, our mission is to deliver a seamless operation and a smooth flow of air traffic. None of this could be achieved without the synergy of all our stakeholders.”

Delegates also heard from experts from across the air traffic management industry, who explained how remote towers are already being utilised in a variety of situations amid a growing need for efficiency. 

Norbert Haslacher, Chief Executive Officer, Frequentis, described how it had taken seven years from concept to implementation to place remote towers for Saarbrucken and Dresden Airports at Leipzig, 400km away, due to factors including regulation and union requirements. 

Robert Graham, Head of Airport Research, Eurocontrol, said remote tower technology would be integrated as airports continue to expand, but, he said physical towers will still have a place at airports for some time to come.  

“If we are going to add another runway, do we add another tower, or do we add a remote tower? We are into the world of hybrids, using the virtual tower technology to enhance the safety of the physical tower. I think we have not seen the end of physical towers yet, we are still going to have them for some time, particularly at the larger airports,” he said. 

The spirit of collaboration was also highlighted by Kornél Szepessy, CEO of HungaroControl, who signed a deal with Farthan Guliyev, Director of Azeraeronavigation (AZANS) at Dubai Airshow. The two companies agreed to implement the Eurasia-Europe Digital Backbone, allowing for the exchange and storage of aeronautical data between them. 

In a keynote speech on day one of the GATM conference, he said stakeholders need to work together. He said: “Closer collaboration between all businesses across the aviation value chain is needed. Only close partnership can deliver efficient cost-effective and seamless services to the common customers of the members of the aviation value chain.”
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On day two of the conference, in a key panel discussion on transforming aviation with airport collaborative decision making, David Shomar, Vice President, Civil Security, Saab, said even airlines that are direct competitors need to work together for the sake of efficiency. 

He described a strict queuing system instituted at JFK Airport, New York, which meant airlines had to adhere to 15-minute slots for aircraft pushback, to minimise time between push back and take off to prevent fuel wastage. 

“If one airline sees there is an opening and they cheat and they go, the system breaks down,” he said, causing aircraft to have to wait, powering up and down, between push back and take off.  

Data showed which airline had broken the pattern, he said, and reveals the extra time spent waiting for take off, so airlines then realise they all have to adhere to the system in order to be more efficient.  

Delegates also heard how Saudi Arabia has pioneered ways to make the career of air traffic controller appealing.  
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Despite a global shortage of controllers, Haifa Hamedaldean, Transformation Project Manager, Saudi Air Navigation Services (SANS) said there was currently a 25 per cent surplus of qualified controllers in the kingdom, which had been done strategically to fulfil a future need in collaboration with the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA).

Rachel Sturgess, Portfolio Director for GATM, said: “This year’s Global Air Traffic Management (GATM) conference was a productive and insightful event, demonstrating the ways in which emergent technology can be assimilated into the industry to create greater efficiency. We look forward to welcoming key industry players again in 2021 to find more synergies towards creating the air traffic management of the future.”

 

He is an aviation journalist and the founder of Jetline Marvel. Dawal gained a comprehensive understanding of the commercial aviation industry.  He has worked in a range of roles for more than 9 years in the aviation and aerospace industry. He has written more than 1700 articles in the aerospace industry. When he was 19 years old, he received a national award for his general innovations and holds the patent. He completed two postgraduate degrees simultaneously, one in Aerospace and the other in Management. Additionally, he authored nearly six textbooks on aviation and aerospace tailored for students in various educational institutions. jetlinem4(at)gmail.com

Aerospace

India is set to build a central command for the Air Traffic Control system, called ISHAN

India is set to build a central command for the Air Traffic Control system, called ISHAN
Coutresy : Boeing planes

India’s air traffic growth has led to increased responsibilities for air traffic control. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is considering centralizing air traffic control for aircraft, dividing the country into four regions. The goal is to consolidate India’s segmented airspace into a single entity to improve air traffic management (ATM) efficiency, safety, and smoothness.

Recently, the AAI invited expressions of interest to develop a detailed project report for the Indian Single Sky Harmonized Air Traffic Management (ISHAN) initiative in Nagpur. Under this plan, air traffic controllers in Nagpur would handle domestic flights flying above 25,000 feet, eliminating the need for coordination among controllers in different regions.

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For domestic regional flights operating above 25,000 feet, control would shift to the central command in Nagpur. This consolidation aims to enhance airline operations, increase flight handling capacity, and reduce congestion and flight times for passengers.

Currently, the AAI provides ATM services over Indian airspace and adjoining oceanic areas, covering over 2.8 million square nautical miles. This airspace is divided into four flight information regions (FIRs) in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai, along with a sub-FIR in Guwahati.

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FIRs are responsible for providing air traffic services, including weather information, visibility, and search and rescue assistance. The proposed unification under the ISHAN initiative aligns with the projected growth of the aviation industry, which anticipates a doubling of domestic passenger traffic by 2030.

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Aviation

Airbus is set to increase the production rate for the A350 as demand surges

Airbus is set to increase the production rate for the A350 as demand surges

Airbus SE is set to boost production of its advanced A350 widebody jet as it capitalizes on rising demand for long-distance travel and wide-body aircraft, amidst the ongoing crisis affecting its competitor Boeing due to issues with the B737 Max.

The surge in orders for Airbus’s A350 aircraft has instilled confidence in the company, prompting them to ramp up production rates. This move is particularly advantageous as Boeing continues to grapple with production quality issues surrounding its 787 and 777x aircraft.

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In 2024 alone, Airbus has received 137 orders for the A350, signaling a need to expand manufacturing capabilities to meet customer demands. With 1,277 orders received and 592 aircraft delivered as of April 2024, Airbus is poised to fulfill pending deliveries efficiently.

The European aircraft manufacturer announced plans to increase production of A350 jets to 12 per month by 2028, surpassing earlier projections aiming for 10 per month by 2026. This decision was disclosed alongside the company’s first-quarter figures.

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The Asian market is proving lucrative for the A350, with significant orders from airlines like Indigo and Air India, totaling nearly 70 aircraft commitments for the future. Meanwhile, Airbus is progressing with its A220 and A320 programs, aiming for a monthly production rate of 14 and 75 aircraft, respectively, by 2026. Additionally, the long-range A321XLR is anticipated to commence service in the third quarter of the current year.

In contrast, Boeing has been compelled to scale back production due to regulatory pressures aimed at enhancing factory processes. While Airbus anticipates a positive market outlook, Boeing continues to face challenges with FAA certification and quality approvals, resulting in ongoing delays for its 737 Max and 777x models.

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Financially, Boeing reported a significant cash burn of $3.9 billion in the first quarter, leaving it with $7.5 billion in cash and short-term securities by the quarter’s end, down from $16 billion at the beginning of the year. Consequently, Boeing’s stock has plummeted by 38% in the year so far, contrasting with Airbus’s 14% gain, marking Boeing’s lowest performance in over a year.

For a full listing including details on customers and regions, as well as historical data for the previous year, go to the download section below.

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  • March 2024 deliveries: 63 deliveries to 32 customers
  • March 2024 gross orders: 137
  • 2024 deliveries to date: 142 deliveries to 45 customers
 Single-AisleA300/A310A330A340A350A380TOTAL
Total Orders194708161774377127725123965
Total Deliveries11705816159837759225115339
Aircraft in Operation11007271148220259123413787
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Aviation

All passengers killed in plane crash, after pilot let his children to control the plane

All passengers killed in plane crash, after pilot let his children to control the plane

When boarding a plane, passengers entrust their safety to the skilled hands of the pilot. However, tragedy struck when one of the flight ended in disaster as all passengers lost their lives in a horrific plane crash.

In 1994, during a flight from Moscow to Hong Kong, tragedy struck as an Aeroflot relief pilot made a fateful decision. In a move that would have devastating consequences, the pilot invited his own children into the cockpit to play with the controls. Little did anyone know, this seemingly innocent gesture would lead to the loss of all 75 lives aboard the aircraft.

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It was a seemingly innocent act that led to catastrophic results. The relief pilot, Mr. Kudrinsky, invited his two children, Yana, 12, and Eldar, 15, into the cockpit during the late hours of the night. Little did anyone know, this simple gesture would set off a chain of events that would end in tragedy.

Once in the cockpit, the children were allowed to sit in the captain’s chair and play with the controls, unaware that they should have been disabled as the plane was in autopilot mode.

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Eldar, perhaps in a moment of curiosity or innocence, held the control column down for a mere 30 seconds. Yet, in those brief moments, the autopilot disengaged, thrusting the aircraft into manual control.

By the time the pilots regained their seats and attempted to regain control, it was too late. Despite their efforts to pull the plane out of a dive, they overcorrected, causing the flight to climb almost vertically, ultimately stalling it.

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Final moment Flight 593 crash

In the final moments, as the pilots struggled to stabilize the aircraft, Flight 593 crashed into the Kuznetsk Alatau Mountain range in southern Russia, completely obliterating the plane and claiming the lives of everyone on board.

Investigations revealed a chilling truth: there was no evidence of technical failure. Instead, the crash was attributed to the unthinkable decision to allow inexperienced hands to manipulate the controls of a commercial aircraft.

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The black box recording captured the harrowing sequence of events, providing a grim reminder of the human cost of a lapse in judgment. In just over two minutes, the lives of all on board were tragically short, leaving behind a legacy of sorrow and unanswered questions.

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