ENAIRE launches a new version of its Insignia app, with messages from general aviation aerodromes

ENAIRE, the national air navigation manager, has just launched a new version of its Insignia application to consult aeronautical information: Insignia VFR.

The new version enables this functionality by incorporating messages of aeronautical interest (known as Flash messages) for flights operating under visual flight rules (VFR). This allows managers of aerodromes restricted to general or sports aviation to directly communicate notices and relevant information about their facilities to users.

This update and revamp of the Insignia app stem from the InfoARES project, one of the winning projects at the 5th Edition of the ENAIRE Innovation Awards

This improvement addresses one of the most requested needs of general aviation: having a fast and reliable mechanism for distributing urgent notices related to their airfields.

Insignia VFR is the web application developed by ENAIRE for consulting VFR (Visual Flight Rules) navigation charts from the AIP-SPAIN publication in digital format.  It is specifically designed and tailored to the needs of pilots flying under VFR, which make up a large part of this type of non-commercial aviation.

This update and enhancement of the application stems from the InfoARES project, one of the winning projects at the 5th Edition of the ENAIRE Innovation Awards. The InfoARES project introduced an innovative concept that enables managers of restricted aerodromes to communicate notices and information related to their facilities directly to users by creating Flash messages on a web-based map platform.

The InfoARES project has culminated in a new version of the Insignia VFR application, which, based on the latest Web GIS technologies, integrates the management and distribution of Flash messages and the VFR Guide. This marks a significant step forward and a paradigm shift in how general aviation information is distributed, and opens up a new field of development in aeronautical information services.

What is a Flash message?

Flash messages provide a new functionality with information on restricted-use aerodromes, managed by their respective authorities.

They enhance safety and planning by providing information on operations and restricted-use aerodromes, offering more reliable, first-hand details about various situations. This results in improved situational awareness for pilots, while also gathering data about the aerodromes' services and facilities.

In the process of developing this enhanced version of Insignia VFR, ENAIRE, through its AIS (Aeronautical Information Service) department as the project lead, received support from the Innovation Division, the Information Systems Division and the Communications Division. Additionally, the Real Aeroclub de España and the aerodromes of Casimiro Patiño, Casarrubios, Requena, La Axarquía, Mutxamell, Robledillo de Mohernando, Castellón, Lillo, Lugo, San Luís, Santa Cilia de Jaca, La Morgal, and Binissalem have collaborated by expressing their needs and validating the resulting tool.

About ENAIRE

ENAIRE is the air navigation service provider in Spain.

As a company of the Ministry of Sustainable Transport and Mobility, it provides air traffic control services during the en route and approach phases of all flights to and from Spain and overflights. In addition, it manages communications, navigation and surveillance services from ENAIRE in the airspace and the entire AENA airport network in Spain and provides aerodrome air traffic control services in 21 airports, including the busiest.

ENAIRE is the fourth largest European air navigation service provider, and it is a member of international partnerships A6 Alliance, SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research) Joint Undertaking, SESAR Deployment Manager, iTEC, CANSO (Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation) and collaborates closely with ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization).

ENAIRE has received the highest score in Europe on the aviation safety key performance indicator for four years in a row. It has also been awarded the EFQM 600 Seal for its safe, efficient, innovative and sustainable management of air navigation services.