Air Traffic Management in the 21st Century
Making ATC as easy as 1,2,3
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The human eye is one of the most complex parts of the body – surpassed only by the brain. It can focus on 50 different objects per second, with a resolution equivalent to 576 megapixels – an extraordinary amount when compared to the ‘high’ resolution of an Apple iPhone 13 at just 12 megapixels. In days gone by, the human eye was the original air traffic controller. Before Air Traffic Control (ATC) towers existed, pilots would use visual navigation methods such as a compass, map and identification of ground features to ascertain the aircraft’s position. Unsurprisingly, it was difficult to accurately and safely verify an aircraft’s position.
Help on the ground was needed, so the roles of Civil Aviation Traffic Officer and Radio Officer were created. They handled air traffic through the use of radio and wireless telemetry equipment. In 1920, the world’s first dedicated Aerodrome Control Tower in Croydon, London was born with three simple features; a platform 15 feet above ground level, large windows and a wind vane.
Throughout the 1920s, the ATC Tower evolved into the recognisable airport technical structure we know today, giving ATC operators 360° visibility, increased operational range and reduced topographic air mass interference.
The first ever Civil Aviation Traffic Officers provided just the basics – location and weather to a dozen or so daily flights that were tracked using radio-based navigation and plotted paper maps with pins and flags. However, to improve accuracy and reduce any potential human error, radio navigation needed to evolve.
It’s one of the few jobs where the lives of many are in the hands of the few, not helped by the multitude of new challenges faced by modern air traffic controllers. Although controllers no longer have to deal with misplaced pins or flags on paper maps, they still need to deal with frequency congestion, weather, communication, noise and workload.
A notable trend in the industry is the move towards digital displays meaning more information is readily available for controllers to view, with better resolution and on larger displays. Although controllers no longer have to deal with misplaced pins or flags on paper maps, they still have to contend with frequency congestion, weather, communication and noise often at the same time. As ATC systems can now display much more information, this means controllers have an increasing workload with more flight data to monitor – which could lead to a higher error rate.
With the adoption of modern technology, controllers face new challenges such as space constraints, readability of screens and ease of use in order to find and use relevant information as and when needed.
The display is the heart of your ATC system and Chelton’s RDS suite is tailored down to the finest detail to ensure it works for your needs. Thanks to its close relationships with ATC Officers, the radar display is easy to use and navigate, with features including Interactive Mapping, Coloured Target Labelling, Dynamic Loadable Maps and 3D flight path monitoring to name just a few.
The modular nature of the RDS is flexible enough to adapt to evolving challenges on the airfield. For example, the system enables extra safety features to be added on to reduce the risk of human error, if required. The modular nature of RDS enabled Chelton to be selected by the British Royal Navy to provide, not only ATC systems to naval bases on the ground, but also to the newest aircraft carriers as part of the UK Carrier Strike Group.
The simplified workflow, along with agnostic system, reduces the existing training burden. Previous iterations of Chelton’s RDS suite are well understood having been implemented in a number of commercial and military airports across the UK. Its updated ATM products are built on the same successful foundations, meaning there are very few training requirements.
Why pick Chelton when you’re looking for your next ATM system?
Usability
Chelton understand what controllers need and work closely with them to identify areas for development to reduce their workload.
Reliability
Chelton’s RDS products have been at the heart of Military ATC systems for over 20 years and it’s been successful in developing this into a fully capable advanced ATM system for civil and military aviation. This, teamed with its impressive Mean Time between Failure (MBTF) rates, makes Chelton a great choice for whatever size airport you run.
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Chelton are there every step of the way from installation to support to help ensure your ATM system is tailored to your exact needs.
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