Airspace users and the air traffic management network interact every day and the operation is usually pretty smooth. Of course nobody is happy when there are delays caused by air traffic control capacity constraints, but this is also part of the game. Increasing demand and competition for the same scarce resources, like runways, makes it… Continue reading The pain of retrofit
Tag: EUROCONTROL
Will EUROCONTROL's New DG Rebuild an Old Dream?
Once upon a time, EUROCONTROL had been created to be the air navigation service provider for Europe. Operating a limited number of air traffic control centers, a research institute and a training facility, it would have been the key to an efficient set up not unlike what we find in the United States. Unfortunately, before… Continue reading Will EUROCONTROL's New DG Rebuild an Old Dream?
2013 – Another year of failures?
It is customary to look back at the end of the year to take stock and then to make all kinds of promises to ourselves for the new year… Promises that we seldom keep. European air traffic management had a tumultuous year culminating in grumbling by the airspace users on a previously unheard scale and… Continue reading 2013 – Another year of failures?
Is there a future for the FABs?
In view of the huge effort that went into creating at least the legal framework for the nine Functional Airspace Blocks (FABs) and the recent hard words from the industry blasting states and the European Commission for the failure of the FABs to deliver anything really useful by the December 4 deadline, the question in… Continue reading Is there a future for the FABs?
David McMillan, EUROCONTROL Director General, Assumes Chair of Flight Safety Foundation
The Flight Safety Foundation is an independent, non-profit, international organization engaged in research, education, advocacy and publishing to improve aviation safety. The Foundation’s mission is to be the leading voice of safety for the global aerospace community. It was announced today that EUROCONTROL Director General David McMillan has become the new Chairman of the FSF Board… Continue reading David McMillan, EUROCONTROL Director General, Assumes Chair of Flight Safety Foundation
An Air Traffic Management Master Plan with Question Marks
If you follow European air traffic management developments, you will have noticed in the news that the ATM Master Plan is undergoing a significant update and the SESAR ATM Master Plan portal promises to have new information on this by mid-2012. About now that is… There was less discussion about interesting events surrounding the Master… Continue reading An Air Traffic Management Master Plan with Question Marks
Harmonized Transition Altitude for Europe – EASA A-NPA open for comments
Following completion of the HETA TF work aimed at creating a Regulatory Impact Assessment for the introduction of a harmonized transition altitude for Europe, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has published an Advance Notice of Proposed Amendment (A-NPA 2012-01) Harmonised Transition Altitude, which is now open for comments. You will find this A-NPA on… Continue reading Harmonized Transition Altitude for Europe – EASA A-NPA open for comments
Performance Review Commission (PRC) 2011 Report (Draft) is now available
The Performance Review Commission (PRC) provides independent advice on European Air Traffic Management (ATM) Performance to the EUROCONTROL Commission through the Provisional Council. The PRC was established in 1998, following the adoption of the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) Institutional Strategy the previous year. A key feature of this Strategy is that “an independent Performance… Continue reading Performance Review Commission (PRC) 2011 Report (Draft) is now available
Free flight…or…Flight of Fancy?
If you utter the words ”free flight” these days, a number of interesting reactions are likely. These can range from blank stares via violent reactions to sad headshaking. On one occasion somebody actually asked me.…”But you still have to pay airport taxes…?” But jokes apart, there are plenty of experts who will remember how much… Continue reading Free flight…or…Flight of Fancy?
The FAB Saga. 2012 Edition.
2012 is a significant year for the European Functional Airspace Blocks (FAB). Namely, they must all be fully operational by December this year. All nine of them. Let’s have a quick look at these things to get a good overview of their status and impact. First and foremost I think one needs to clarify that if… Continue reading The FAB Saga. 2012 Edition.