European ATM failing… again?

It is almost boring these days how every possible forum, from LinkedIn to Air Traffic Management Magazine, is full of awe-struck articles about the Functional Airspace Blocks (FAB) and ANSP alliances. Subtly or not so subtly they all seem to suggest that this is now what ATM needs and this is how problems will be… Continue reading European ATM failing… again?

BLUE MED FAB Newsletter Number 2 now available

BLUE MED is the Functional Airspace Block (FAB) being put together by the States in the Mediterranean Sea area and their naturally sunny disposition is amply reflected in their newsletters, of which the second is now available. FABs are exciting because the idea pre-dates SESAR and when we created the SESAR Concept of Operations it… Continue reading BLUE MED FAB Newsletter Number 2 now available

FAB brings European diversity into SESAR – the one thing we were all waiting for?

The latest issue of ATC Global Insight was nothing if not extremely entertaining. In a previous article Steve described why the reported claim of DSNA’s boss about SESAR having been built on FABs is total nonsense. But it seems there was more… Insight tells us that Mr. Georges assured his audience that “FAB will bring European… Continue reading FAB brings European diversity into SESAR – the one thing we were all waiting for?

DSNA CEO says SESAR CONOPS was built on FABs from day one…

No Sir, it was NOT!!!! If ATC Global Insight is to be believed, Mr. Maurice Georges, CEO of French DSNA, said in Amsterdam that “The SESAR operational concept has been built on FABs from day one.” Well, I do not know which SESAR operational concept they use in France but the concept we wrote and… Continue reading DSNA CEO says SESAR CONOPS was built on FABs from day one…

Functional Airspace Blocks (FAB) – New category on Roger-Wilco

FABs may be the highest political priority for the European Commission and they certainly are the source of high flying political statements, but I still do not like them. Why? Well, the idea when it first came up was a good one. At the time, functional fragmentation of air traffic management in Europe was costing… Continue reading Functional Airspace Blocks (FAB) – New category on Roger-Wilco

Shorter night routes in FABEC – is this an achievement?

Working in air traffic management on occasion one gets the impression that a lot of people have very short memories. Take for instance the proud announcement from FABEC (Functional Airspace Block Europe Central) to the effect that as part of the harmonization of European airspace, shorter night routes are being offered on 115 cross-border connections.… Continue reading Shorter night routes in FABEC – is this an achievement?

Air Traffic Management déjà vu

Reading Henning’s article and with my up-close-and-intimate involvement in the SESAR definition phase (and the 20 or so years leading up to it) I could not escape a terrible feeling of déjà vu. This was only strengthened when I read the news about ANSP CEOs rumbling that the performance targets of the EU’s Single Sky… Continue reading Air Traffic Management déjà vu

EUROCONTROL reorganizing – is this good for you?

Visiting EUROCONTROL these days is a bit like entering a five star hotel during off-season in a bad year. Empty offices at every turn and talk in the corridors that tends to focus more on individual futures than on trajectory based operations and other exotic ideas. Yes, EUROCONTROL is reorganizing (again…) but they are also… Continue reading EUROCONTROL reorganizing – is this good for you?