Aviation

A London Airport Is Getting an Upgraded Air Traffic Control Tower-80 Miles Away From All the Planes

Published

5 years ago

April 2, 2018

A London Airport Is Getting an Upgraded Air Traffic Control Tower-80 Miles Away From All the Planes

London’s City Airport is getting its high-tech upgrade in large part due to a lack of space. Instead of a bulky traditional tower that has to house actual humans, the new ATC tower will simply be host to a whole bunch of cameras, with live footage piped to controllers in a building some 18 miles away. There are additional benefits beside the saved space, too. The screens at the remote headquarters can compress a 360-degree view into 270 degrees, making it possible monitor more action in a smaller space

The airport is to decommission its traditional tower in 2019, meaning aircraft will be directed from a digital control room in Hampshire. Air traffic controllers will have a 360-degree, high definition view of the airfield, meaning they can monitor planes in more detail than by using the human eye, the airport said.

The technology has already been tested in Australia, Sweden, Norway and Ireland.

Current Situation –

The Tower Building Traditionally every airport has a conventional air traffic control tower, but they don’t come cheap. They cost millions to build and not all parts of the airfield are always visible. In comparison, going digital is more cost effective and offers real operational benefits.

A Digital Alternative

Controllers use high definition cameras and remote sensing technology to safely and securely manage air traffic from a location away from the airport
All operational data is transferred via a secure super-fast network to a custom built digital tower operations
room at NATS’ Swanwick air traffic control centre
Wrap around screens give the controllers an unparalleled view of the entire airport

The Technology

High definition cameras provide a full 360 degree view of the airport
Laser range finder for measuring distances to pin point accuracy
Pan, tilt and zoom cameras to view any part of the airfield in unprecedented detail
Displays enhanced with augmented reality style maps and aircraft data for increased controller awareness.

According NATS blogs Question and Answer.

How safe are digital control towers?

Everything is designed – from the technology to the procedures – with safety in mind and the same will apply for digital towers:

What happens if a camera fails?

In the system we’ll be using at London City Airport from 2019, there are 14 cameras, plus two separate ‘pan tilt zoom’ cameras. If one of the main cameras fails, one of the PTZs can quickly fill the gap until the camera can be swapped out and replaced.

What happens if all the cameras fail?

In the unlikely event that all the cameras fail, or that both of the independent video data feeds drop out, the team will revert to operating under Low Visibility Procedures as they do when in low cloud or fog, using voice communication and radar. This will slow things down, but it’s a normal part of ATC procedures and all very safe.

What about the screens?

There are 15 screens in the facility at Swanwick, meaning that if one of them fails the redundant one can instantly pick up the slack. The controllers can also rejig the order in which the screens display, meaning they will still see the airfield correctly. Then, at the right time, the defunct screen can be swapped out and replaced.

Can it be hacked?

Obviously we can never go into specifics about cyber security, but it is something we take incredibly seriously and keep under constant review. It is not an issue we ignore. What I can say it that the systems undergo extremely vigorous testing and for London City, we will have three entirely private and independent data feeds from the airport to Swanwick – two capable of carrying voice and video data, and the other just voice.

Wouldn’t it be safer to be at the airport?

This is one I hear quite a lot and I always answer by turning the question around: could it not be safer and more resilient to have your ATC operation offsite? In any case the principle of controlling aircraft from a remote location isn’t new. Our radar controllers at Swanwick and Prestwick centres are looking after aircraft potentially hundreds of miles away and all without ever setting eyes on them.

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Aviation

British Airways Speedbird Pilot Academy: Your Ticket to the Cockpit

Published

15 mins ago

September 27, 2023

Dawal

In a groundbreaking move, British Airways has officially unveiled the eagerly anticipated Speedbird Pilot Academy 2023, marking a significant milestone in the aviation industry. This exclusive program promises to propel aspiring pilots to new heights, offering an extraordinary opportunity for individuals from diverse backgrounds to embark on a career in the skies.

The Speedbird Pilot Academy, renowned for its legacy of training top-tier aviation professionals, is set to write a new chapter in the world of aviation. With a commitment to inclusivity, British Airways invites candidates from all walks of life to take part in this extraordinary journey.

Paving the Way for Future Captains

Enrolling in the Speedbird Pilot Academy is the first step towards achieving the esteemed rank of Captain within British Airways. As a fledgling pilot, you will commence your career on the airline’s short-haul fleet, gaining invaluable experience as you embark on your aviation odyssey.

But that’s just the beginning. As your expertise and experience burgeon, you’ll gain access to an unrivaled array of fleet types and routes, spanning both long-haul and short-haul operations, setting you on a trajectory toward a thrilling future.

Applications Closed for 2023

The anticipation surrounding the Speedbird Pilot Academy 2023 has been palpable, and applications for this year have already closed. Nonetheless, this elite training program has not ceased to draw the attention of aviation enthusiasts worldwide.

Stringent Criteria for Aspiring Pilots

To be eligible for this extraordinary opportunity, candidates must meet stringent criteria:

Age: Applicants must be between 17 and 55 years old at the time of application and at least 18 years old to commence training.
Educational Qualifications: A minimum of 6 GCSEs graded A-C or 5-9, including Math, English, and a Science subject, or equivalent qualifications.
Language Proficiency: Proficiency in English is mandatory. Non-native English speakers must present an IELTS Level 5.5 certificate overall, with no sub-score falling below 5.5.
Passport and Residency: Applicants must hold a valid passport allowing unrestricted global travel and the right to live and study in the UK without the need for sponsorship.
Height Requirements: Aspirants’ height must fall within the range of 1.57m (5’2″) to 1.90m (6’3″).
Medical Fitness: Applicants must obtain and maintain a UK CAA Class 1 medical certification with no restrictions, meeting British Airways’ medical criteria.
Background Checks: Prior to commencing training, applicants must successfully complete referencing and pre-employment checks, including UK and international Criminal Record Checks.

A Clear Path to the Skies

The British Airways Speedbird Pilot Academy offers a clear path for aspiring aviators to transform their dreams of soaring above the clouds into a reality. With British Airways’ ambitious growth plans, the future holds a world of exciting opportunities for those who dare to reach for the skies.

As this remarkable journey unfolds, British Airways reaffirms its commitment to diversity, inclusion, and the relentless pursuit of excellence in aviation.

Stay tuned for more updates on this exceptional aviation initiative that promises to shape the future of the industry.

You can Apply it here : Click

Airlines

How is Bangkok Airways now weighing passengers before boarding?

Published

4 hours ago

September 27, 2023

Sana khan

How is Bangkok Airways now weighing passengers before boarding?

Bangkok Airways is the most recent airline that asks customers to walk on a scale before boarding. The development was announced by the airlines on their Facebook page on September 14. According to the notification, the weight check survey will occur between September 15 and October 31, 2023.

https://www.facebook.com/FlyBangkokAir/posts/687409406754053?ref=embed_post

Bangkok Airways Public Company Limited is now a member of the Watchers Club, joining the ranks of other airlines. In order to precisely calculate the total weight of people and their accompanying carry-on luggage, the airline attempts to use standardized average weight data.

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The company will formally certify that the data will be kept private and will be employed solely to enhance the information on the typical average weight.

A positive response from customers is what the company is hoping for. A standard weights survey must be carried out in accordance with the international civil aviation standard regarding the use of standard passenger and baggage weights for weight and balance calculation purposes in order to ensure the safety and effectiveness of a flight and to confirm that the actual weight does not exceed the maximum take-off weight limitation.

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Before boarding a plane, passengers are weighed, and Bangkok Airways is not the first airline to do this. Korean Air has been performing passenger weight checks at airports from September. Air New Zealand conducted a similar study earlier this year.

Airlines

Norse Atlantic Airways Partners with WebCargo by Freightos

Published

4 hours ago

September 27, 2023

Sana khan

Norse Atlantic Airways Partners with WebCargo by Freightos

Norse Atlantic Airways and WebCargo by Freightos, the top air cargo booking platform, today announced substantial cooperation to provide the European-based carrier’s capacity from the largest European Union cities for quick eBooking and payment on WebCargo.

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For technology, perishables, and other shipments, Norse Atlantic will soon enable real-time booking for WebCargo’s thousands of forwarders on its flights to and from Europe to seven destinations in the US, including Los Angeles International. It is important to remember that Norse Atlantic operates out of Miami International, the entryway to South America, for forwarders making reservations to Latin America.

Norse intends to establish capacity later this year between London and Barbados and Jamaica as well as between Oslo and Thailand, substantially extending WebCargo’s reach in Asia and the Caribbean.

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Norse Atlantic only flies Boeing 787 Dreamliners, which have a number of cutting-edge green features like 25% reduced CO2 emissions and 50% quieter operation than the aircraft of the previous generation still in service with several major airlines worldwide.

Freight forwarders looking to book capacity on Norse Atlantic Airways, visit https://www.webcargo.co/book-air-cargo-with-norse-atlantic-airways/