ENAIRE improves communications between pilots and controllers in the Canary Islands

It will provide further efficiency to the controller's work and increase security in the interaction with pilotsENAIRE, the company of the Fomento Group that manages air traffic in Spain, successfully implemented yesterday further automation of communications at the air traffic control centre of the Canary Islands. This involves linking data between air controllers and pilots in the continental flights of that air space. Up until now, this automation was operative already in transoceanic flights.

This implementation is part of the technological modernisation plan carried out by ENAIRE within the organisation's Strategic Plan (2020 Flight Plan).

This improvement allows, by means of a simple click, activating messages between controllers and pilots, which is a qualitative leap in the functions of the Automated System of Air Traffic Control (SACTA).

This technological milestone is the culmination of ENAIRE's commitment towards fulfilling the community regulations and objectives leading to the modernisation of air traffic management in Europe; in this case with regard to communications and linking data (Data Link).

Also in other control centres

This advance in data automation will be implemented gradually in other FIR (air spaces) managed by ENAIRE control centres. The next one will take place in FIR Barcelona on 1 February.

This automation project by ENAIRE will involve an investment of approximately 4.5 million euros up to 2020.

Optimising the efficiency of the controller's work, increasing security and progressing towards the automation of the interaction between controllers and pilots are advances that have been achieved with this update of the SACTA, which is based on ATN technology (Aeronautical Telecommunications Network), and its communications networks for transmitting information.

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ENAIRE'S Strategic Plan

ENAIRE's Technological modernisation plan will help comply with the European regulations, improving the automation of air control processes. Specifically, those related to pilot-controller communications, by means of which the frequency of radio communications will be reduced and both parties will be freed from a part thereof, resulting in further efficiency.

The Data Link functionality will open a new communication channel with airplanes that will complement radio communications. As a result, communications will be made more flexible due to being able to choose between one means or another depending on the situation and the type of message required transmitting.

This possibility of maintaining several channels open with different airplanes will increase the availability of communications, thus avoiding the blocking of frequencies due to communications of minor importance when the controller needs to use the radio to solve immediately any conflict or when the frequency is very busy.

Minimise possible errors

The data link service will also involve a further increase in security by minimising human errors due to misunderstandings in oral communications.

By placing in service the control centre in the Canary Islands, a sequential implementation will be initiated in all the Spanish airspace, gradually activating these services in the remainder of control centres within the route.

This step forwards is particularly important, as we will be combining two data linking technologies in the air transit control system: the one already in use in the Canary Islands in the transoceanic air space together with the new functionality (ATN), which will support the exchange of pilot-controller data in the continental airspace.

The implementation of this new functionality has involved a joint effort between the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC) and the Air Safety State Agency (AESA).

About ENAIRE

The public corporate entity ENAIRE is a company designated by the Ministry of Public Works to manage the fourth largest airspace in Europe in terms of traffic through 5 control centres, 22 control towers and a network of air traffic infrastructure and equipment. The air traffic managed by ENAIRE transports over 250 million passengers in 2 million flights.