GUIDANCE MATERIAL ON REMOTE AERODROME ATS
Formal title · Remote Aerodrome Air Traffic Services (GM) · GM to Regulation (EU) 2017/373 · 1.1 – 5.13.6
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1. Introduction
The concept of remote provision of aerodrome air traffic services (ATS) (commonly known as ‘remote towers’ or ’remote tower operations’, sometimes…
1.1 Purpose and intended readership
This document provides guidance to support both: organisations (e.g.
1.2 Scope
The scope of this document is the overall concept of remote aerodrome ATS — covering single and multiple modes of operation (described in Sections 3.2…
1.3 Document structure
This document is structured as follows: Chapter 1 ‘Introduction’ presents the purpose, scope, intended readership, structure and background of this…
2. Definitions
For the purpose of this document, the definitions in Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 923/2012 ‘SERA’ (*) as well as in Article 2 of and Annex I to…
3. The remote aerodrome ATS concept and modes of operation
The concept of remote aerodrome ATS enables provision of aerodrome ATS from locations/facilities without direct visual observation.
3.1 Modes of operation
For the purpose of this document, the concept of remote aerodrome ATS is categorised into the following two main modes of operation:
3.2 Single mode of operation
The single mode of operation refers to the provision of ATS to one aerodrome at a time, from a single remote tower module (RTM).
3.3 Multiple mode of operation
The multiple mode of operation refers to the provision of ATS to more than one aerodrome at a time, i.e.
3.4 Remote tower centre (RTC)
The ATS provider may provide remote aerodrome ATS from a centralised facility known as a remote tower centre (RTC), which could house one or several RTMs.
3.5 Technical enablers for remote aerodrome ATS
The solutions which are available for remote aerodrome ATS are not based on a unique system configuration but on a varied set of technical enablers.
4.1 Single mode of operation
Single mode of operation is, in principle, envisaged to have the potential to be implemented for aerodromes of all sizes and conditions.
4.1.1 Traffic volume/density and traffic complexity
The traffic volume/density as well as the traffic complexity — e.g.
4.1.2 Characteristics of the aerodrome layout
The aerodrome layout is a factor for consideration when implementing remote aerodrome ATS (as is the case when building/upgrading a conventional tower).
4.1.3 Aerodrome switching under single mode of operation
The single mode of operation also covers potential scenarios where the ATCO/AFISO switches service provision from one aerodrome to another aerodrome…
4.1.4 Remote tower as backup facility
The remote aerodrome ATS concept could be used to support the ATS contingency arrangements for an aerodrome, as stipulated by Regulation (EU) 2017/373…
4.2 Multiple mode of operation
SESAR JU has to date published one SESAR Solution related to the multiple mode of operation, with further research to expand the concept ongoing.
4.2.1 Number and size of aerodromes in multiple mode of operation
The number and size of aerodromes to be combined in multiple mode of operation need to be carefully assessed.
4.2.2 Simultaneous aircraft movements on different aerodromes
The probability of instances of simultaneous aircraft movements on the different aerodromes, based on the expected traffic, as well as the impact…
4.2.3 Aerodrome switching/merging/transferring/closing under multiple mode of operation
The multiple mode of operation may include scenarios where the ATCO/AFISO would change service provision between aerodromes on a flexible basis.
4.2.4 Service provision in multiple mode of operation
Regarding the type of ATS provision, what has been validated for multiple mode of operation is the combination of aerodromes where the same service type…
4.2.5 Recommended implementation and transition steps
It is likely that multiple mode of operation will be implemented as part of an extension to an already existing single mode of operation implementation.
4.2.6 Possible developments of multiple mode of operation
Even though, at the time of publication of this document, there is only one SESAR Solution published related to multiple mode of operation, future…
4.3.1 Airspace and traffic circuit characteristics
As for conventional tower operations, the airspace characteristics should be taken into consideration when implementing remote aerodrome ATS.
4.3.2 Aerodrome environment
Since each aerodrome is unique and has its own characteristics regarding the surrounding topography, it is important to take into account the specific…
4.3.3 Local weather characteristics
Local weather/climate factors are other aspects to take into account when assessing the impact that the implementation of the concept may have on the…
4.3.4 ATCO’s/AFISO’s roles and responsibilities
The ATS provider should identify the particular configuration of the RTM and the related operating methods, taking into consideration the operational…
4.4.1.Supervision
4.4.1. Supervision When operating an RTC with more than one RTM, organisational and operational issues of more managerial nature may surface, similar to…
4.4.2.Holders of multiple endorsements
4.4.2. Holders of multiple endorsements Whenever licence holders are authorised to hold concurrently more than one unit endorsement or its equivalent for…
5. Operational and system considerations
This chapter addresses procedural considerations, operational needs and requirements, as well as related system and equipment aspects, to be considered…
5.1 Remote aerodrome ATS procedural considerations
This section details recommendations on procedures related to remote aerodrome ATS.
5.2 Visual surveillance system
A visual surveillance system constitutes the core element of remote provision of ATS to aerodromes and typically consists of two main operational parts:
5.2.1 Visual presentation
The visual presentation replaces the OTW view of a conventional tower, with the purpose of providing a view of the aerodrome and its vicinity (i.e.
5.2.2 Binocular functionality
The binocular functionality (e.g. a Pan-Tilt-Zoom camera/function, as defined and described in ED-240A Change 1 [19]) emulates the function of a…
5.2.3 Primary/direct regulatory requirements affecting a visual surveillance system
Point (b) of AMC1 ATS.TR.205(c) to Regulation (EU) 2017/373 [4] states that:
5.2.4 Indirect regulatory requirements affecting a visual surveillance system
In addition to the above-mentioned primary/direct regulatory requirements, there are some regulatory requirements on the service provision that may be…
5.2.5 Other operational needs affecting a visual surveillance system
In case the ATS unit is also responsible for the provision of apron management services, refer to Section 7.2.6.
5.2.6 Camera siting aspects
The determination of the number of cameras to be used, the locations and the height at which they are to be installed, in order to meet the regulatory…
5.2.7 Functional considerations for a visual surveillance system
In addition to the regulatory requirements and the operational needs described above, factors related more directly to system performance should be…
5.2.7.1 Visual presentation set-up and layout
The visual presentation should be designed to avoid unnecessary discontinuities or non-uniformities of the presented view.
5.2.7.2 Binocular-functionality-related functional requirements
The binocular functionality should be simple, quick, and easy to use, not considerably increasing the time needed to perform the same/similar tasks as…
5.2.7.3 Video latency
One critical parameter is the time delay between the occurrence of an event in the real world and its presentation to the ATCO/AFISO on the visual…
5.2.7.4 Video update rate
The fidelity of the image presented to the ATCO/AFISO also depends on the video update rate (also known as ‘frame rate’), defined as the number of times…
5.2.7.5 Difference in daylight/darkness perception
A visual surveillance system, including the camera sensors and display units, can produce an image that may result in the user having a different…
5.2.7.6 Other image quality factors
In addition to the aforementioned factors, there are also other image quality factors which could affect the quality of the visual surveillance system…
5.2.7.7 Protection against natural external influences
Local weather and climate conditions at the aerodrome where the services are provided, lighting conditions, animal interference on cameras/sensors (e.g.
5.2.7.8 Failure detection
In order to fulfil Regulation (EU) 2017/373 [4], ATS.OR.140 ‘Failure or irregularity of systems and equipment’ as well as ICAO Doc 4444 [14] Chapter…
5.2.8 Technical enablers for increased situational awareness
The visual presentation may include tools and functionalities aiming at increasing the ATCO/AFISO situational awareness and enabling the ATCO/AFISO to…
5.2.8.1 Considerations when implementing visual presentation technical enablers
When found beneficial (as described in Sections 4.1.1, 4.1.4 and 4.2.1), the ATS provider may evaluate the possibility of complementing the visual…
5.3 Signalling lamp
In accordance with CS ADR-DSN.K.500 to Regulation (EU) No 139/2014 [7], ICAO Circular 211-AN/128 [18] paragraphs 26 and 29, and in line with EUROCONTROL…
5.4 Aerodrome sound
When providing remote aerodrome ATS from a location/facility where the ATCO/AFISO is unable to detect the naturally occurring sounds of the aerodrome, a…
5.5 Communications
A remote tower facility used for the provision of aerodrome ATS, like a conventional tower facility, is required to enable ATCOs and AFISOs to perform…
5.6 Voice and data recording
[4] specifies recording requirements for aeronautical mobile service (air-ground communications) (ATS.OR.400 (b) and ATS.OR.455 (a)), aeronautical fixed…
5.7.1 Aeronautical ground lights and navigation aids
The remote tower infrastructure should enable the ATCO/AFISO to operate and monitor all assets which are necessary to fulfil the tasks assigned to the…
5.7.2 Management of other aerodrome assets
Even though not regulated as ATS tasks, the remote tower infrastructure may need to consider the monitoring and manoeuvring of (other) aerodrome-related…
5.8 Meteorological information
The presentation of meteorological information to the ATCO/AFISO may in the remote tower context be affected by the need for additional data transmission…
5.8.1.Remote aerodrome ATS equipment used for MET observation purposes
5.8.1. Remote aerodrome ATS equipment used for MET observation purposes Meteorological service is not an ATS task;
5.9 Other ATS systems/functions
This section lists systems/functions which are needed for the ATS provision, but which are not necessarily affected or changed due to the service being…
5.10 Technical architecture, interdependencies and redundancy aspects
Service continuity requirements as well as interdependency aspects should be considered when designing the overall technical architecture of the complete…
5.11 Technical supervision
Remote aerodrome ATS is based on a distributed infrastructure comprising system components on the aerodrome as well as in the remote tower facility…
5.12 Working environment
A dedicated analysis of the working environment and ergonomics of the facilities used for remote aerodromes ATS should be conducted by the ATS provider…
5.13.1.1 Handling of abnormal and emergency situations in multiple mode of operation
The ATS provider should put in place procedures and contingency plans that clearly define how to deal with unexpected or unusual events, such as an…
5.13.1.2 Communication aspects in multiple mode of operation
The ATS provider should conduct an in-depth evaluation of the communication aspects of any multiple mode of operation implementation, as part of the…
5.13.2 RTM design considerations in multiple mode of operation
When performing multiple mode of operation, the ATCO/AFISO should be provided with all systems and data/information required to perform the ATS for all…
5.13.3 Visual presentation in multiple mode of operation
The provision of ATS to more than one aerodrome simultaneously would be made possible by (a) visual presentation(s) that allow(s) for the monitoring of…
5.13.4 Aerodrome sound in multiple mode of operation
The validation activities and the human factors assessment performed in the framework of the SESAR JU programme have indicated that aerodrome sound may…
5.13.5 Other ATS systems/functions in multiple mode of operation
In multiple mode of operation, in order to help reduce the ATCO/AFISO overall workload, it is recommended that coordination and transfer of control (the…
5.13.6 Work environment in multiple mode of operation
It is recommended that the number of input devices to control the same functions for different aerodromes are as few as possible, as this would support…
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