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Onair Issue 22
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They say that moving house is one of the most stressful things you can do
next to death and divorce! Happily for us, Helios’ stress levels leading up
to our office move were kept to a minimum thanks to good planning and
great support from our technical and admin staff. You can read about the
new offices and enjoy the view from our window on the inside this copy.
This is an exciting point in our development and there is so much
going on across the business that the obvious theme for this newsletter is
change. So in this edition of ON AIR! we report on projects investigating
future data link technologies, changing charges for ANSPs brought about
by new European legislation, fresh multimedia approaches to safety
initiatives in air-ground communications and finally we highlight the
fantastic speakers lined up for our forthcoming conference on
fragmentation – a key focus for change in air traffic management.
With best wishes
News and Informationfrom Helios
CONTENTS
EUROCONTROL and the FAA have initiated a joint
study to identify potential future communications
technologies to meet safety and regularity of flight
communication requirements, ie those supporting Air
Traffic Services and safety related Aeronautical
Operational Control communications for the timeframe
2020+.
Related to this joint study, Helios has recently
carried out modelling and analysis on two candidate
communications systems proposed as the technology
enabler for air-ground data link in Europe. The project is
part of a contract with UK NATS to support ICAO
Aeronautical Communications Panel Working Group
activities.
The two systems are being considered for operation
in the L-band, targeted at the 960-977 MHz region of
the spectrum (subject to approval at the WRC-07 later
this year), as part of a Future Communications
Technology assessment and selection exercise being
conducted jointly by EUROCONTROL and the US FAA.
COMMS SYSTEMS FOR 2020+Assessing performancefor ATC
CHANGING CHARGES Where do en-routeservices begin?
BYE BYE BAGSHOTHelios moves toFarnborough
AIR GROUNDCOMMUNICATIONSThe perils of communicationbreakdown
HOT AIR!Our news section
OFF AIR!Puzzle competition
A U T U M N 2 0 0 7
☞
Mike Shorthose, Managing Director
All change!
The first system analysed by Helios was P34, a
digital radio system already in use for some terrestrial
applications, that is designed to transfer data on 50,
100, or 150 kHz channels. The second was AMACS
(All-purpose Multi-channel Aviation Communication
System), a new system based on previously demonstrated
concepts (ETDMA and XDL4) and designed to offer an
on-demand service for aircraft to send time- and safety-
critical messages on 50-400 kHz channels.
Both P34 and AMACS are capable of providing data
link connectivity between aircraft and ground stations,
and also from one aircraft to another. Each uses a
Communication systems for 2020+
Assessing performance for ATCTDMA – Time Division Multiple Access allows efficient
access for different users of the same frequency channel by
dividing the channel into equally spaced time slots
ETDMA – A proposed L-band future air-ground data link
communication system based on the TDMA concept
XDL4 – A proposed L-band future air-ground data link based
on a development of VDL Mode 4 protocols
News and In format ion f rom Hel ios
2
The new Single European Sky “common charging
scheme” introduces rules and disclosure requirements
for charges for terminal navigation services. Until recently,
ANSPs had relative freedom in setting charges for terminal
services, unlike en-route services which were governed by
EUROCONTROL principles; the common charging scheme
changes this.
Helios was asked by two European ANSPs to examine
the variety of practices that existed in determining how
costs were divided between en-route and terminal services.
The aim was to review practices across a range of
countries, and comment on best practice. John Raftery, who
led the review, provides us with some highlights:
“We found that the biggest source of difference was
not in cost allocation, but in the specification of the
boundary between en-route and terminal services. In the
eight countries examined, two assigned approach control
services entirely to en-route, and three entirely to terminal.
The others used an intermediate definition.”
The team also reviewed the consequences for the two
ANSPs of making changes to their charging practices by
moving closer to some of the others in the sample. They
found that there were winners and losers among their users
of making such changes. They also examined the issue of
whether the common practice of charging the same for
terminal ANS at smaller airports as at principal airports
caused distortions between users.
In a subsequent piece of work, Helios looked at
whether changes in en-route charges in a particular region
of airspace might change routing patterns, and thus amplify
the impact of changes in the charging system. ■
Changing chargesWhere do en-route servicesbegin?
Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) scheme to share out
the channel space in an efficient manner.
Helios used two different simulation methods, with
assumptions made for each model regarding likely message
profile, channel loading, decode probability, and re-
transmission procedures. The models both calculated
expected throughput and message delivery latencies
allowing assessment of the likely performance.
A member of the team, John Micallef explains: “The
data throughput performance is an important aspect of the
candidate systems, but it is also essential that they don’t
have a negative impact on systems already using the same
band. So we also carried out a further assessment at a high
level on the spectrum compatibility of P34 in relation to
other systems operating in the L-band.” ■
John MicallefJohn joined Helios in 2001 as a specialist insoftware and simulation development. He hasjust returned after a five-year period atEUROCONTROL HQ in Brussels. During hissecondment, John helped develop and validatestandardisation material such as ICAO SARPsand Technical Manual, spectrum compatibilityinvestigations and architecture studies for datalink technologies. Recently John was supportingEUROCONTROL's Future Communicationdomain activities in the framework of theEUROCONTROL/FAA Action Plan 17, where heprovided technical and logistical support to thedetailed investigations of candidate nextgeneration data link technologies.
Focus on fragmentationAsignificant cause of inefficiency in ATM,
fragmentation affects the environment, airlines,
airports, air navigation service providers, manufacturers,
regulators, ...everyone!
Helios has organised a dedicated conference on
fragmentation which pulls together the key industry
players and explores the causes of fragmentation, the
challenges that must be faced if the problems of
fragmentation are to be solved and the current
cooperation initiatives that are beginning to address it.
ATM Agenda: Fragmentation explained; De-
fragmentation explored takes place in London on 27-28
November 2007. To see the full agenda and book your
place(s) online, visit www.askhelios.com/atmagenda or
contact linda.micallef@askhelios.com.
DAY ONE
Sir Roy McNulty – UK CAA
Dr Giovanni Nero – EUROCONTROL PRU
Hemant Mistry – IATA
Marc Baumgartner – IFATCA
Peter Naets – Maastricht UAC
Johann Pradel - Skyguide
Philip Hughes – IAA
DAY TWO
Alexander ter Kuile – CANSO
Guillaume Berghouwt – Amsterdam
Aviation Economics
Frank Brenner – DFS
Fritz Feitl – ICB
Bertrand de l’Epinois – ATA
David Stoplar – UK CAA
Jan van Doorn – EUROCONTROL
Carey Fagan – FAA
Luc Tytgat – EC DG TREN
Ann Sta – UK DfT
These are some of ourconfirmed speakers, highlyregarded experts with arange of experience to share.
News and In format ion f rom Hel ios
3
NAV07 - A welcome awaits you on Helios' standat this year’s NAV07 conference
and exhibition organised by the RoyalInstitute of Navigation. At this year’sevent to be held in London on 30 Oct -1 Nov, Helios will be presenting papersacross all aspects of transport, on land,at sea and in the air. We will also beconducting the official on-line NAV07survey amongst participants anddelegates, seeking to gain answers to some of today'smost challenging questions. To take part (and enter thechampagne prize draw!), please visitwww.askhelios.com or www.rin.org.uk.
Reviewing operations in Jordan - Heliosconsultant Bryan Williams has spent his summer
in Jordan performing an operations review for theJordanian Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA). Helios wascontracted through Lufthansa Consulting GmbH toprovide a comprehensive analysis and review detailingthe current capability of the Jordanian Civil AviationRegulatory Commission’s (CARC) ATC Operations andPractices. As well as looking specifically at the qualityand adequacy of the training given to operational staffand their management, the review also considered indetail general factors such as the organisationalstructure and division of responsibilities, standards andprocedures, documentation, facilities, equipment andthe authorities in place.
New arrivals - Whilst Helios has moved to abrand new, bigger office, our support team has
experienced some expansion of its own. Over thesummer, two new assistants have joined: Zoe Buswelland Stacey Paddock. Zoe is helping with clientcommunications such as this newsletter and ourattendance at ATC Global 2008 in Amsterdam, andStacey is taking bookings for training courses. Also, ifyou ring our new switchboard, it's either Stacey's orZoe's voice that you are likely to hear!
Helios Information Services 2008 trainingdates for your diary -
● January 14-15 - Understanding ATC● February 4-8 - Aeronautical Communications Training Week● May 12-16 - Surveillance Technologies Training Week● May 15-16 - Air Traffic Management Strategy Workshop● October 6-10 - Navigation Technologies Training Week
Contact training@askhelios.com for details.
Bye bye BagshotHelios moves toFarnborough
After 10 happy years in Bagshot, Helios has moved to
Farnborough AeroPark, 15 minutes drive away and
right next to the well-known airfield.
The new office enables all of the team to be based in
one building and offers improved facilities including more
training/meeting rooms, more parking and climate
control!
Our neighbours include TAG Aviation (who run
business aviation services from the airfield), BAE Systems,
Sun Micro systems and the Farnborough Aerospace
Consortium.
Says Operations Director Nick McFarlane who has
coordinated the move: “We had outgrown our two offices
in Bagshot and wanted to improve the working
environment for our staff and customers. We also wanted
to move further into the “Farnborough Aerospace Belt” –
since this is a fantastic area for an aviation company to be
in. We love our new location – 500m from the runway!”
The new offices are 45 minutes by car from Heathrow
and 1 hour by car from Gatwick. There is also a high
speed rail link into London Waterloo station (35 minutes).
As well as new address and telephone details, Helios
has also changed its electronic contact details to
firstname.lastname@askhelios.com and web address to
www.askhelios.com. Full location and travel advice can
be found on the website. ■
4
News and In format ion f rom Hel ios
In 2003 a study of hundreds of incident reports and a
corresponding safety survey of pilots and controllers,
highlighted Air Ground Communication as a major
contributing factor. Four areas were identified: call-sign
confusion, loss of communications, a blocked transmission
and lack of radio discipline.
One of the objectives of the resulting action plan
published by EUROCONTROL was to raise awareness
amongst pilots and air traffic controllers – a task given to
Bengt Collin and his EUROCONTROL colleagues.
They chose Helios to work with them on developing an
education and awareness package which has now been
launched at www.allclear.aero.
The package includes:● video reconstructions of real aviation events (together
with transcripts and self-study notes)● a video ‘trailer’ to get people talking● top tips handouts for pilots and controllers● a 20-minute interactive learning module developed by
EUROCONTROL IANS● a dedicated Trainer’s Zone with extra materials for ATCO
ALL CLEAR?The perils ofcommunicationbreakdown
and Pilot Instructors (including a PowerPoint presentation,lesson facilitation notes and the opportunity to order highresolution video clips for the classroom)
Helios put together a multi-disciplinary team that
included pilots, controllers, ATM experts, media and design
specialists. They worked on branding, video scripting and
production, website development and campaign planning.
Says Bengt Collin: “We are very pleased with the
finished package, which has been well received by test
audiences. Now our aim is to get the message out to the
aviation community that these high quality resources are
freely available and monitor the take-up.”
For more information on this project visit
www.allclear.aero or contact bengt.collin@eurocontrol.int
or james.hanson@askhelios.com. ■
For further information, contact Mike Shorthose by email:
mike.shorthose@askhelios.com, telephone: +44 1252 451 651 or visit
our website www.askhelios.com.
This newsletter has been written for the interest of our clients and colleagues.
We believe the facts are correct at the time of printing, but cannot be held
responsible for any errors or omissions. Please send change-of-address details
to info@askhelios.com. Helios, 29 Hercules Way, Aerospace Boulevard,
AeroPark, Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 6UU, UK.
Helios is a technical and business consultancy working in airports, air
traffic management and navigation markets. We help our customers solve
problems and implement technical and operational solutions that will
improve corporate performance. Our team has a range of expertise
covering research, planning, simulations, feasibility studies, cost benefit
analysis, procurement support and safety studies. Our knowledge covers all
of the technologies that support air traffic management, as well as satellite
navigation and advanced communication systems.
Boggle brainteaser
As the theme for
this issue of On Air!
is change and our
office move, we
thought it would
be fun to ask our
readers to make as
many words from AEROPARK as possible. Words must be
four letters or more.
The highest number of words will be revealed in the
next edition of ON AIR!. Please send your solutions to
zoe.buswell@askhelios.com. All entries must be received by
15th January 2007. We will give a bottle of champagne to
the person who gets the most words, but since it’s a special
occasion we will also give a bottle of champagne to the
person who gets the longest word (other than AeroPark of
Course!). Good luck to everyone!
And the winner is …
The correct answer to the conundrum in the Summer edition
of ON AIR! was that both motorboats reach the buoy at the
same time. This is because from the buoy’s point of view
(floating downstream) the motorboats move away from it at
equal speeds in still water. Thus the motorboats reaching the
buoy simultaneously. Congratulations to Dirk Kuegler of DFS
who wins the champagne. ■
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