EUROCONTROL MUAC and Indra the first to test-run a ready to market ads-c application that will bolster air traffic safety and efficiency

EUROCONTROL’s Maastricht Upper Area Control Centre (MUAC) and Indra successfully performed the world’s first test run of the ATN ADS-C application developed by Indra used to automatically monitor aircraft routes with the aim of bolstering safety by anticipating possible discrepancies in air/ground routes.

The test took place last February 14 with an Airbus plane that took off from Toulouse and was equipped with a new datalink technology (ATN B2).

On its passage through the airspace managed by MUAC, the aircraft and ground system connected via datalink to employ the Automatic Dependent Surveillance Contract (ADS-C) and Controller Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) applications. Using a ‘contract’, the on-board computer and ground systems agreed to receive the aircraft’s route periodically, on request of the controller and whenever it is rerouted.

The system reduces the amount of voice communication needed between the pilot and controller, thus lessening the workload, reducing the likelihood of errors, increasing the precision of the data exchange and improving the air traffic handling capacity. This system leads to increased efficiency in air/ground route synchronization, thanks to the early detection of discrepancies between both routes.

After successfully testing the system, EUROCONTROL’s MUAC and Indra are finishing up the necessary work to complete its deployment and final commissioning in a pre-operational set-up in May.

MUAC will then become the world’s first control centre to start using this technology pre-operationally to reinforce air traffic safety. Indra thus proves, once again, that it is at the cutting edge in the development and deployment of the latest generation of systems that can respond to the needs of its clients.