Safety & Technology Trends

Air Safety Week, June 16, 2008

FAA's Technical Center Designated Historic Site

The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) has designated the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) William J. Hughes Technical Center as a Historic Aerospace Site. The AIAA cited the Center's pivotal role in creating the nation's modern air traffic control system over the last 50 years. The Hughes Center is the nation's leading federal lab for the research, development, test and evaluation of air transportation systems, advancing programs to enhance aviation safety since 1958.

Center scientists have been responsible for implementing critical air traffic management, communications, navigation, airports and aircraft safety projects. Highlights include: automation data processing center work to automate air traffic control (1961); the first wake vortex turbulence test by helicopter (1963); the first operational testing of an automated enroute air traffic control system (1966); the introduction of visual approach slope indicator (VASI) to provide improved guidance to runways (1966); and the first tower cab mockup to test controller work areas and do airport observations (1972).

The AIAA established the Historic Aerospace Sites Program in January 2000 to promote the preservation of, and the dissemination of information about, significant accomplishments made in the aerospace profession.

Cape Verde Deploys AWOS Network

All Weather, Inc. (AWI) will outfit six airfields throughout the islands of Cape Verde with state-of-the-art Automated Weather Observing Systems (AWOS). Cape Verde, a group of islands off the west coast of Africa, is a popular tourist destination for Europeans. With the installation of the AWI AWOS systems, air travel to and among the islands will be greatly enhanced. "Cape Verde is a great example of the benefits of AWOS technology," said Jason Hall, president of AWI. "These airfields are scattered across multiple islands, and essentially isolated from one another. Using our AWOS, they can be used for discrete automated weather observations or connected in a single weather network with consistent, integrated data provided automatically to all of them." The AWOS, developed by AWI, is an ICAO compliant, unmanned system that provides up- to-the-minute weather data to airport personnel, pilots, and meteorological offices.

UAE/USA Discuss Aviation Matters

Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, UAE minister of economy and chairman of the Board of the General Civil Aviation Authority, recently discussed aviation matters with US Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters. She was in the UAE with Acting FAA Administrator Robert Sturgell for a two day official visit. The visit included a tour of the new Al Maktoum International Airport and Dubai International Airport. "Our air carriers, passengers and economies are enjoying the benefits of open skies through direct and scheduled air services to several destinations in the UAE and USA. To cement the current achievements, additional flights will be inaugurated and more destinations will be served by the US and UAE air carriers by the end of 2008," said Al Mansouri. The two sides also discussed the UAE's role to address the emerging global shortage of skilled aviation professionals and its role in promoting global aviation safety. The UAE had convened a summit in January in which a regional plan of action for aviation safety was launched.

The aviation safety plan was developed and initiated in cooperation with: the Flight Safety Foundation, aviation leaders from around the world, Abu Dhabi Airports Company, ICAO, IATA, Airbus and Boeing.

Digital Weather Camera Project

NAV CANADA has selected the IntelliDAR imaging platform and associated services from Searidge Technologies to build a system capable of weather monitoring in remote locations. The system will be deployed in up to 130 sites across Canada. The modernized digital weather camera system being supplied by Searidge Technologies is a valuable tool for pilots and aviation users when planning and conducting their flight operations. The system helps to promote flight safety by providing current weather conditions to pilots assisting them in making timely weather-related decisions with confidence. The system will provide near real-time camera data showing the weather information of a given location, and additional information such as sector visibility. "This innovative technology will allow NAV CANADA to provide added weather information to the aviation community, and enhance safety in various remote locations" said Kim Troutman, Vice President, Engineering, NAV CANADA. IntelliDAR is a technology platform that provides analytic capabilities to video scenes, in real-time. This platform can be used in various applications including ground control, hotspot monitoring and airport business intelligence. Searidge Technologies is a provider of mission critical technology solutions and services in support of air traffic control and airport operation markets. Searidge combines a unique blend of experience working with Air Navigation Service (ANS) providers, along with expertise in imaging and optical technologies, to design and develop solutions that address current industry challenges. Founded in 2001, The privately held company with clients throughout Canada and the United States.