CAAS unveils new Singapore air traffic control centre

SINGAPORE - The new centre represents a quantum leap in Singapore’s ATM capability Minister for Transport Mr Lui Tuck Yew and Director-General, Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), Mr Yap Ong Heng, officially inaugurated the new Singapore Air Traffic Control Centre (SATCC). The simple ceremony was held during the Singapore Airshow Aviation Leadership Summit 2014 lunch.

The new Singapore Air Traffic Control Centre represents a quantum leap in the capacity and ability of CAAS in providing high quality air navigation services for the safety and efficiency of the growing, more complex air traffic in the Singapore Flight Information Region (FIR). With the new Centre in full operation, CAAS is future-ready to manage the projected significantly higher and more complex traffic.

With the state-of-the-art LORADS III air traffic management system, developed by Thales, the new Centre presents a generational shift in operational capabilities and robustness. These include:
More control positions for area and approach control;
A paperless (paper strips replaced by electronic versions), highly automated and integrated environment;
Technologies and innovative features that exploit advances in aircraft navigational accuracy and functionality;
A significant increase in traffic handling capacity;
A comprehensive air situation picture with the fusion of data from multiple surveillance sources; air traffic controllers can also at a touch access different views and track aircraft positions more quickly and accurately;
Unprecedented layers of safety nets to alert air traffic controllers of potential traffic conflicts and hazards, and redundancies such as back-ups to ensure that the provision of air traffic services for Changi Airport and the Singapore FIR are uninterrupted;
Air traffic controllers working smarter and faster in the high tempo environment, e.g. with a new display and human-machine-interface sub-system consisting of smart menus and highly configurable displays for easy retrieval, presentation and dispatch of information.

At the heart of the new Singapore Air Traffic Control Centre are the Air Traffic Control Officers, the Air Traffic Control Support Officers, and the engineering staff. They have embraced the step change and raised their faculty to operate the new generation air traffic management system. They have undergone the necessary training on the LORADS III air traffic control (ATC) simulator, which replicates the LORADS III ATC system. These professionals embody the capability and pulse of the new Centre.

Mr Yap Ong Heng, Director-General of CAAS said, “The new SATCC demonstrates CAAS’ determination to continually enhance our air traffic management capability for the Singapore Flight Information Region and Changi air hub. With the Asia-Pacific aviation market – already the world’s largest – expected to continue to grow strongly, the new Centre ensures that CAAS is ready for the future.

Sourced: TravelDailyNews