Page 17 - AAA SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2012 Online Magazine

FEATURE ASIAN ATM

The Seamless Asian Sky is a very realistic concept.
Every idea has its time, and the time for this idea is now

– Owen Dell, Manager International Operations at Cathay Pacific Airlines

development plan is in place, honeywell’s would have to invest time and resources
singh says the commercial sector is to evaluate and integrate their technology
prepared to do its bit too. within the infrastructure. however,
“Industry is prepared to make as aaPa’s herdman says, adopting a
corresponding investments to ensure modernised atM infrastructure dovetails
compliance, equipage and training,” with investments operators in asia have
he says. “In the past, some airlines made into acquiring modern equipment
made forward-looking investments for their aircraft, and in the long run,
in equipment, only to be disappointed allows all participants to fully utilise that
by the slow pace of implementation of technology. enhanced air-to-air and air-
airspace management improvements.” to-ground communications would pave
to effectively modernise regional atM, the way for more direct flight paths and
CHINESE PUzzLE there is an urgent need for installed reduced delays. the financial benefits
Although a part of the ICAO Asia ground systems that provide timely are obvious, but need a willingness and a
Pacific Air Navigation Planning and accurate information for pilots commitment from states to work together
and Implementation Regional and ground controllers. Many regions on a common platform.
Group, China possibly has more and states are already at this stage,
restrictions on flight space than but some are well behind the curve in Together we fly
some other participants in the terms of providing control infrastructure. fortunately, Iata says that all parties are
proposed Seamless Asian Sky “training is a critical component; not only working together towards the seamless
concept. As AAPA’s Herdman
notes, the plan would not mean for personnel on new technology and asian sky concept. this will retain the
that “any particular national modern air traffic operations, but also current 40 ansPs, but instead of simply
regulatory agency in Asia would knowledge exchange and sharing of best redrawing boundary lines, the project
be required to relinquish ATM practices throughout different airports will focus on standardising regulation;
control of its airspace. The aim and regions,” he says. harmonising procedures and interoperable
is to achieve efficiencies through Innovations such as performance- technology between states; and creating
the use of common standards and based navigation and surveillance, “virtual” boundaries while making better use
procedures, and strengthened advanced flight planning, and synthetic of modern avionics technology and ability to
collaboration and cooperation vision systems would all help improve fly on predictable flight paths. Iata’s Mclean
across international boundaries.”
On the contrary, says Honeywell’s safety, capacity and efficiency – but in says that in 10 years, he sees Iata and the
Singh, better ATM requires many cases would demand improved and other participants actively implementing an
collaborative decision-making extensive training. nonetheless, if the sas plan, with the necessary agreements
among stakeholders from participating players can ensure talking in place to bring major changes in asia-
operators, manufacturers, shops turn into concrete action, the Pacific flight paths. “the implementation of
suppliers and the government, to future is bright. the investment required the sas is a high priority for IcaO, Iata and
help create a shared ownership should be justified by the wider benefits of ansPs, and the formative meetings to date
and common understanding efficient route planning resulting in time, have seen a very cooperative spirit from all
between entities. “In China, fuel and emission reductions. seamless parties,” he adds.
setting policy in key areas, such as
the low-altitude airspace opening, implementation of IcaO standards and despite the obvious challenges, cathay’s
helps establish the necessary Recommended Practices (saRPs) across dell is highly optimistic for the future
foundation for the continued all levels is, as hong Kong’s li says, “the development of atM across the region.
development of an effective prime issue to be addressed.” “the seamless asian sky is a very realistic
system,” he asserts. adopting any sas solution would concept. every idea has its time, and the
involve a ramp-up period – the industry time for this idea is now,” he says.
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