Conventional control towers are expensive to operate and maintain, and even at a medium-sized airport can become too costly if the number of flights is insufficient to cover the running costs. SESAR’s remote tower services offer the possibility to enhance safety and efficiency at airports where it is too expensive to build, maintain and staff conventional tower facilities and services.
The solution is already deployed at small airports, and is under test at medium-sized airports. Providing air traffic control services from a remote location can spread staffing costs, improve service continuity with the option to extend hours of service, and share training and support costs. The out-of-the-window view from the tower can be captured and reproduced at a remote facility where controllers can access all the information usually found in the tower. The visual reproduction can also be overlaid with information from additional sources and enhanced through technology for use in all visibility conditions. In addition, the controllers have access to all the necessary remote controls, including communications, lighting, flight data, and meteorological information.
Tests have demonstrated the solution’s feasibility using different technology and sensors. Sophisticated camera equipment, some sourced from the military sector, are considered in the scope of this solution; while day/night cameras, infrared, and pan-tilt-zoom functions deliver the level of detail and accuracy required to safely provide ATS services. The tower-like environment at the remote facility can be enhanced with visual alerts, track labels added to flight targets, and hot spots regularly camerachecked to deliver additional safety features. Shadow-mode exercises used a video-based panorama camera system as well as infrared technology to give controllers a detailed view of the airfield.
The tests provided enhanced views of the airfield and terminal area, even during adverse weather conditions and at night. Single airport operations will apply in each case, but controllers will have the option to cross-train for more than one airport.
The SESAR Solution is available for industrialisation and is implemented in the following airports: Are Ostersund, Budapest, Kiruna, Linkoping City, London City, Saarbrücken, Sundsvall-Timraa, and Umea .
SJU references: #12/Release 5
Benefits
• Increased cost effectiveness
Datapack