European airspace is among the busiest in the world with over 33,000 flights managed by 30 ATM providers in almost 500 airports on busy days. But the European air navigation system doesn’t have a single sky concept. It makes Air Traffic Control Management even more complex for Europe. But on the other hand USA air navigation system is based upon single sky concept. This is the point which makes a huge difference between ATM systems of USA and Europe. Many initiatives were taken in the past for improving the ATM system. However, due to the lack of commitment from part of the Stakeholders full benefits were not achieved for most of them.
Single European Sky concept is the only way of providing a uniform and high level of safety and efficiency over Europe’s skies. One of the most ambitious research and development projects ever launched to implement this strategy is The SESAR. It is an ambitious initiative launched by the European Commission to reform the architecture of European Air Traffic Management. The key objectives of SESAR are to eliminate the fragmented approach to ATM, synchronize the plans and actions of the different partners and federate resources. It is basically an Air Traffic Management modification program which combines technological, economic and regulatory aspects of ATM and which will use the Single European Sky legislation to synchronize the plans and actions of the different partners and federate resources for the development and implementation of the required improvements, in both airborne and ground systems. A high-performance air traffic control infrastructure will be provided by The SESAR program which will enable the safe and environmentally friendly development of air transport.
The SESAR JU had present ATC Global from March 9 – 11, 2012 in Amsterdam. Around 600 ATM specialists attended the SESAR technical workshops on the integrated controller working position, airport operations and the 4D/business trajectory.
To facilitate exchange of technical and program information the SESAR Joint Undertaking and the European Organization for Civil Aviation Equipment signed a Memorandum of Cooperation during the Program. EUROCAE will align its strategic work program to fit the standardization needs in a better way. EUROCAE Working Groups will be better supported by additional SESAR information & involvement from JU partners. EUROCAE will also benefit from information coming from SESAR validation activities when needed in the life cycle of EUROCAE Documents and EUROCAE Technical Specifications toward the development of Community Specification and European Norms.
According to the Aviation Industry experts this MOC is a major milestone towards a better alignment of EUROCAE activities with the Single European Sky objectives and timeline, a larger involvement of the Aviation Industry to SESAR and its future deployment and contributions to ICAO global ATM modernization initiative. EUROCAE Working Groups will be better supported by additional SESAR information & involvement from JU partners.
