Virtual Tower
Virtual Tower will enable AZANS to perform contingency operations of Gabala airport (GBB) by providing air traffic services remotely from the new ASEC located in Baku. The solution, based on Searidge's Enhanced Airport Vision Display platform, will provide users with the necessary functionality of the current Gabala tower view.
Searidge Technologies is a leading technology innovator providing Remote Tower and surface optimization services and solutions to airports and Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) worldwide.
The Remote Tower System design consists of twelve (12) ATC-Grade video cameras, two (2) approach cameras, and two (2) PTZ cameras for a total of sixteen (16) system cameras.
The 360º panoramic view will serve as the replacement to a traditional tower out-the-window view, enabling controllers to visually monitor the aerodrome; including scanning runway for occupancy, pick-up of aircraft on short final, touch down, roll out onto the taxiway, and into the apron/gate. The PTZ sensors will provide binocular functionality with the added benefit of diversity in viewing angles, and in turn, provide GBB controllers with a high level of situational awareness from the ASEC centre by way of independent pan, tilt, and zoom capabilities. The approach cameras will provide static long-range views of the entire width of each approach path. The static approach surveillance concept provides greater ease of use as the ATCO will never have to manually direct a PTZ to the approach and look for the aircraft.
ASEC Phase 2
TopSky-ATC
The TopSky-ATC automation system proposed is assumed to perform tower-approach (TWR/APP) control for the virtual tower position, and approach or en-route (APP/ACC) control for the contingency of AZANS main ATC system. In addition, it also offers training simulation capability (SIM).
TopSky-ATC will be integrated with the TopSky-Tracking system already delivered in Phase 1, thus benefiting from the investment already made by AZANS in Phase 1, and taking advantage of the outstanding tracking capabilities offered by TopSky-Tracking.
TopSky-ATFM
TopSky-ATFM (ECOsystem) provides the operator a suite of tools that enables assessing and testing amendments to the forecasted traffic scenario in support of contingency planning, rostering and preparation of traffic management initiative implementation in two steps:
- the simulation layer (ECOsystem Strategic Planning mode) uses both historical and predictive information to provide automated computation of long term (days to months) Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and hence to assess the possible impact of different influences upon the ‘standard’ scheduled operation plan, and explore possible options to adapt planning strategies and increase overall efficiency of the operations;
- the intermediate layer (ECOsystem Tactical Mode) focuses on the short-term tactical management of traffic flows within the day of operations. The expected benefit is to anticipate traffic flow organization and structuring with respect to safety and traffic fluidity, in order to relax the constraints applied to ATC controllers, and avoid by anticipation the occurrence of situations generating heavy controller workload.
Integration New Communication Technology
AZANS, Air Navigation Service Provider of Azerbaijan, in cooperation with BuCET Group / BuCVS (Communication Service Provider), have successfully completed implementation of the new satellite communication ground stations at the international airports of Baku, Ganja and Nakhchivan.
The new satellite communication ground station network was designed and developed with the latest VSAT communication technology for CNS/ATM purposes. With the upgraded satellite communication ground stations, the modern communication technology allows quick and premium quality voice interconnections as well as data transmission between the airports across Azerbaijan. After a comprehensive test procedure, the controllers at the three airport towers certified the voice interconnection as premium quality and excellent communication.
IATA – AZANS Safety Management System Support Project
Across the industry, ANSPs are at different stages of SMS development. Some have very mature systems which are fully integrated into the operations. Others are starting to build formalized safety management practices and a culture which assures the priority of safety.
To assist the AZANS in implementing an SMS to efficiently and continuously improve safety in operations, IATA proposed to apply the 3-step methodology as described below.
Step 1: Assessment of Existing SMS Maturity Level + Definition of Actions to Achieve Desired SMS Maturity Level.
The first step was performed during a 1-week on-site mission during which IATA SME will conduct both a gap analysis of AZANS SMS and a workshop to define actions plan with AZANS.
The objective of the gap analysis is to determine the level of maturity of the SMS implemented by AZANS to manage operational safety risks.Such gap analysis includes performing a high-level assessment of the organization safety culture and all four components and twelve elements that comprise the ICAO SMS framework. To this end, IATA SMEs will conduct interviews with personnel at different levels in the organization and evaluate documentation and procedures.
Step 2: Performance of Workshop to share Best Practices and Examples of SMS Implementation of other ANSPs.
Step 3: Delivery Advisory/Technical Assistance.
Cyber Security
The problems that confront today’s leaders are substantial and diverse: how to protect a nation’s most critical infrastructure from cyber-attack; how to organize, train, and equip a military force to prevail in the event of future conflict in cyberspace; how to deter nation-state and terrorist adversaries from conducting attacks in cyberspace; how to control escalation in the event of a conflict in cyberspace; and how to leverage legal and policy instruments to reduce the national attack surface without stifling innovation. These are just a sample of the motivating questions that drive our work.
The aim of the AZANS- Thales ATM Project on Conflict in Cyberspace is to become the premier home for rigorous and policy-relevant study of these and related questions.
AZANS ATM /CNS Feasibility Study
Within the framework of the strategic development of AZANS, in order to meet existing challenges and to provide superior services to its clients, the decision was made to analyze the ATM and CNS systems on their efficiency and effectiveness.
Scope of Work
The study should consist of two tasks:
- Task 1: Analysis of existing ATM and CNS infrastructure
- Task 2: Action plan and generation of options for evolution of the infrastructure
Objective of the Project
The overall objective of the project is to execute a feasibility study of the existing Air Traffic Management/Communication, Navigation and Surveillance (ATM/CNS) infrastructure efficiency and effectiveness of the Azerbaijani air navigation system and provide AZANS with the robust Action Plan for further development of the infrastructure.
DLS- data link service project
The project reflects willingness of AZANS to alleviate voice channel congestion and to provide benefits to ATC efficiency, capacity and communications in order to accommodate the expected growth in air traffic demand.
CPDLC is a two-way data-link system by which controllers can transmit non urgent 'strategic messages to an aircraft as an alternative to voice communications. The message is displayed on a flight deck visual display.
The controllers will be provided with the capability to issue ATC clearances (level assignments, lateral deviations/vectoring, speed assignments, etc), radio frequency assignments, and various requests for information.
The pilots are provided with the capability to respond to messages, to request/receive clearances and information, and to report information. A “free text” capability is also provided to exchange information not conforming to defined formats.
The CPDLC is being globally implemented and currently is in different implementation stages. The global communication procedures are detailed in the ICAO Provisions: Annex 10 Volume III Part 1 Chapter 3. The CPDLC message set is contained in ICAO Doc 4444: PANS-ATM, Annex 5.
UTM Project
Azerbaijan’s national air carrier and Chinese high-tech company Ehang Intelligent Equipment signed an agreement on establishment of a single center under “Azeraeronavigation” for controlling the unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) at Heydar Aliyev International Airport.
The agreement was signed on October, 9th by the President AZAL, Mr. Jahangir Asgarov and the President of Ehang Intelligent Equipment, Mr. Huazhi Hu, in Baku.
The Center’s task is to protect against unauthorized use of drones at the territory of the airport, as there is a great danger that drones can fly at relatively low altitudes and even in the immediate vicinity of the runway.
For the first time the new center will be integrated with the Azerbaijan Air Traffic Control System to prevent UAV collisions with civil aircraft.
The center includes 3D mapping and terrain scanning functions, which are important for the airfields design and the development of air navigation maps.
If necessary, the web application of the command center will include the information about the registration of the UAVs and its pilots, certification documents and flight permissions.
OLDİ Implementation between Baku and Rostov Centers
This the first step in OLDI implementation in AZANS.
A number of benefits will be achieved by the use of On-Line Data Interchange, the most notable of them being:
- routine tasks are handled by machines, thus reducing controller workload and increasing capacity;
- enhanced situational awareness. Essential information is integrated and presented in a comfortable way after being derived from different sources. Unnecessary or unimportant information is filtered. Important data (e.g. about the status of special use areas) may be exchanged between ATC centers in real-time;
- reduced or eliminated human errors - especially when simple calculations are involved, the computer is much faster and more accurate that the human brain. Also, the system may prevent or provide warnings in case of certain wrong inputs;
- efficiency at management level - tools that suggest optimal sector configurations help achieve efficient personnel use while preserving the required levels of safety.