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. ■