Page 25 - AAA JUNE - JULY 2022 Online Magazine

ant to manage the network as efficiently as through a super-fast fibre connection to a new control room in
possible. Hence the Commission is currently NATS’ air traffic control centre in Swanwick. A dedicated team
analysing possible measures to relaunch the of controllers use the live footage, an audio feed from the airfield
SES initiative and accelerate its implemen- and radar information to instruct aircraft movements in and out of
tation. Analysts at the Commission feel that the airport.
digital backbone’ could pave the way to a much
broader IT system that could help achieve the The live feed, transmit ted through independent secure fibre net-
EU’s much longed-for ATM system, putting works, is displayed on 14 HD screens in the Swanwick control room
it a step closer to a SES. And over time, the to provide a panoramic moving image. This can be over-laid with
scope could widen to include further shared digital data to provide an enhanced reality view. Information such
IT capabilities required for the inclusive, safe as call signs, altitude and speed of all aircraft approaching and
and cyber-secure end-to-end digitalisation of leaving the airport, weather readings and the ability to track moving
European ATMs. objects can all be included in this single visual display. Pan-tilt-zoom
cameras can magnify images up to 30 times for close inspection.
The concept of a digital tower was introduced The digital technology significantly improves controllers’ situa-
to capture the growing demand for integration tional awareness, enabling quick and informed decisions to improve
of a wide range of ATM systems and data in safety and operational efficiency. City Airport’s digital control tower
support of advanced air traffic operations. The was completed in 2019 and has been through an extensive period
digital tower is also part of the broader evolu- of testing before becoming fully operational. The 30-year-old
tion of digital air traffic services. Remote digital analogue tower, which was due a significant upgrade, is being
towers have already been implemented in many redeveloped as part of City Airport’s modernisation programme.
locations across the world, allowing ATC to be
carried out away from the airport in bespoke Global RTC Market
facilities, instead of airport towers. The global remote towers market is projected to grow from USD
0.3 Billion in 2022 to USD 0.6 Billion by 2027, at a CAGR of 19.6
London Eye per cent from 2022 to 2027. The largest digital tower implemen-
In 2021, London City Airport became the first tation in the world is under way at Singapore Changi Airport. The
major international airport in the world to be Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has been working
fully controlled by a remote digital air traffic with NATS and Searidge to develop what is termed the Smart
control tower, following intensive testing and Tower Prototype (STP). “Remote digital towers have already been
live trials of the revolutionary technology during implemented in many locations across the world, allowing ATC to
lockdown. be carried out away from the airport in bespoke facilities, instead
of airport towers. However, when more airports can be managed
Alison FitzGerald, chief operating officer at from the same remote tower, or virtual tower, centre we will see the
London City Airport says: “We are immensely most significant benefits in terms of optimising air traffic controller
proud to become the first major international capacity,” Remote Tower
airport to adopt this pioneering technology.
“This investment in smart infrastructure will Expert and VP of Sales, and Yannick Beyer, Director of Sales,
help us meet future growth in passenger explains.
demand, improve air traffic management and Remote towers refer to air traffic control towers that are remotely
give us future capability as the aviation industry located, either near or far from airports. They provide Air Traffic
bounces back from the pandemic,” FitzGerald Services (ATS) remotely through a real-time visual reproduction
says. This technology was also developed by of the airport via high-definition cameras. These towers replace
Saab Digital Air Traffic Solutions, which has an air traffic control operator’s direct out-of-the-window view with
successfully tried and tested the system at a live video feed. Remote towers consist of workstations known
Örnsköldsvik and Sundsvall airports in Sweden.
According to Magnus Lewis-Olsson, Chairman
and President of Saab U.K.:“This is an important
milestone for Saab in the implementation of
remote air traffic solutions at major civil aero-
space hubs with dense traffic in a complex
airspace. We look forward to seeing the tech-
nology take off at London City Airport, giving
controllers new tools and safety features which
demonstrate the benefits Digital Towers can
bring.”
Sixteen high-definition cameras and sensors
mounted on the mast capture a 360-degree
view of the City Airport airfield. This is relayed
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