7.2.4 Management of the change to remote aerodrome ATS — aerodrome operator

At aerodromes where ATS is provided from a conventional tower and the introduction of remote aerodrome ATS is planned, or at aerodromes where no ATS is provided but is planned to be introduced via the introduction of remote aerodromes ATS, due care and time should be taken for the adequate preparation of the transition/implementation plan before the change/introduction is introduced. Due to the significance of the change, a competent authority approval may be required. Therefore, the aerodrome operator and the ATS provider should communicate intentions and plans to the appropriate competent authority in due time before the planned introduction of the new operating concept in order to avoid unnecessary delays. As part of the aerodrome operator’s processes and procedures for managing safety, including changes, a safety assessment accompanied with the updated relevant documentation required for initial certification, including human factors aspects, should be submitted by the aerodrome operator to its competent authority prior to the introduction of the change. This assessment should be properly coordinated with the ATS provider and all other interfacing organisations that may be affected by the change. Although each aerodrome’s unique characteristics (based on its complexity, types of operations, organisational arrangements, etc.) may have an effect on both the content and the outcome of the safety assessment, it is expected that this process should at least include the following areas: Tasks that are currently performed by the ATS provider and which may need to be performed by the aerodrome operator. This may include: tasks that fall under the responsibility of the aerodrome operator but had been performed by the ATS provider based on existing local arrangements (e.g. runway surface condition assessment or apron management service) and which may need to be performed by the aerodrome operator; and tasks which fall under the responsibility of the ATS provider and which are planned to be performed by the aerodrome operator, based on existing or new local arrangements. Such tasks may include, but are not limited to: maintenance of facilities, installations and equipment necessary for the remote aerodrome ATS; meteorological observations; and provision of pyrotechnic signals to aerodrome traffic. tasks which were, and will continue to be, performed by the aerodrome operator, but which may be affected by the introduction of the change in that they may need to be enhanced in order to cover additional areas. Such tasks may include, but are not limited to: regular inspections conducted by the aerodrome operator; safeguarding and protection of facilities, installations and equipment necessary for the remote aerodrome ATS (e.g. obstacles, interference from various sources, etc.); and security procedures for the protection of facilities, installations and equipment necessary for the remote aerodrome ATS. Need for review, update and timely implementation of the training requirements for aerodrome personnel, as a result of task reassignment/enhancement, but also amendment of the aerodrome procedures. Technical solutions applied: remotely for the implementation of the remote aerodrome ATS, such as: operation/control of the aerodrome’s lighting systems and their individual elements, as appropriate; operation/control of the visual surveillance system elements located at the aerodrome, as appropriate; communication systems between the remote ATS unit and the relevant aerodrome units (e.g. RFFS station, apron management services unit), persons or vehicles operating on the manoeuvring or movement area (if apron management services are also provided by the remote ATS unit); and operation of the alerting system for RFFS purposes; at the aerodrome in order to support the implementation of the remote aerodrome ATS, such as: provision of power supply to the facilities, installations and equipment for providing and supporting ATS remotely; location/installation of cameras and, if applicable, sound microphones; and any other data processing equipment (servers, computers, etc.).