Campbell Scientific’s 50 years of service to aviation

Since it’s conception 50 years ago in 1974 in Logan Utah, Campbell Scientific has been involved in the aviation industry. The company was founded by two brothers, Eric and Evan Campbell, who combined their experience and education to first develop the CA9 Path Averaging Laser Anemometer, which was made for use by the U.S. Army to study wing-tip vortices at the White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. Data from the CA9 confirmed that under common wind conditions, these spiraling air shafts—caused by aerodynamically clean, but heavy aircraft—would sporadically relocate in the center of the runway.

Campbell Scientific knows that aviation has become essential for the success of global business, worldwide transportation of goods, and exploration of our amazing planet. As airlines and airports continue to take advantage of technological advancements, air travel is becoming accessible to more people every day. Just as airports are using modern technologies to solve capacity, security, and baggage challenges, they must also consider modern technologies and solutions that will address their specific everyday weather needs for the safe arrival and departure of aircraft. Each airport has a unique set of weather, capacity, and safety challenges that must be met by a flexible and reliable solution that is sustainable and can grow with the airport for years to come.

To date, Campbell Scientific has worked with many airports worldwide to maintain safe skies and increase critical information flow to airport managers, pilots, and other essential personnel. One major project has been partnering with ASECNA, the Agency for Aerial Navigation Safety in Africa and Madagascar, which has the responsibility of managing an airspace 1.5 times the size of Europe. Their mission is to provide efficient and secure air navigation services for 17 African states. To achieve this, meteorological software is necessary to assess the current and future weather. It is installed throughout the international airports, ensuring continual safety within air services.

There are unique challenges that modern airports face, and Campbell Scientific is ready with flexible, compliant, and future-proof solutions to maximize your performance. Our NEO Modular Web platform offers the ideal Pilot MET briefing system. This software allows the most demanding airport meteorological services to manage OPMET data collection, facilitate AWOS visualization and overlays, produce aviation forecast cross sections and vertical profiles, all while maintaining the highest compliance with both the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The data acquired from the NEO software can automatically produce meteorological flight folders, as well as be stored online for immediate availability for pilots and airline companies.

Campbell Aero Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) and Runway Visual Range (RVR) solutions are designed to accommodate and adapt to a diverse set of needs. Campbell Aero AWOS and RVR solutions are proven to be rugged and reliable in the harshest of environments. Our flagship Campbell Aero software and AeroX Stream™200 hardware provide maximum flexibility to airport managers, air traffic controllers, weather observers, and maintenance personnel to ensure they are in control of their specific AWOS and RVR solutions. Managers can select their preferred sensing technologies, and users can customize their display layouts to improve efficiency and reduce near-term, subsequent project costs. Campbell Aero AWOS and RVR solutions are ICAO and WMO compliant and built to sustain a low total cost of ownership over time.

Campbell Scientific is proud to be exhibiting at Airspace World 2024. For more information on our aviation weather solutions, please come and visit our team at booth H39, or use the QR code to read more about how our suite of AWOS products can work for you.

Leeds Bradford Airport to deploy Altitude Angel’s Approval Services Platform

London, UK & Geneva, Switzerland:  On the third day of the Airspace World expo taking place in Geneva, Switzerland,Altitude Angel, the world’s most trusted UTM (Unified Traffic Management) technology provider, has announced Leeds Bradford Airport is to deploy its Approval Services platform which allows drone operators, and in the future eVTOL pilots, the ability to request and pay for operations within the airport’s airspace digitally and at the touch of a button.

Altitude Angel’s Approval Services platform, described on its launch by [then] Aviation Minister Baroness Vere, as ‘a key step to [the UK] achieving its ambitious outcomes we are setting through the Future of Flight Industry Group’, allows drone operators to submit flight plans, which take place in part wholly or in part, within an airport’s FRZ, quickly and securely, as well as facilitating any charges the airport have in place when a flight is approved.

On the deployment of Altitude Angel’s Approval Services platform at Leeds Bradford Airport, Jamie Babbin, Leeds Bradford Airport Operations Manager, said: “Surrounded by a number of towns, villages and industrial estates, the airport has been dealing with an increasing number of requests to fly within the FRZ from both commercial and recreational drone operators.

“The Approval Services platform allows us to receive all required information from the drone operator in an easy-to-use format, enabling us to quickly assess and decide whether we can allow the flight, or need to request an amendment to the flight plan before approving it.”

Chris Forster, Altitude Angel, Chief Operating Officer, added: “As a forward-thinking airport, Leeds Bradford Airport is laying the digital foundation stones for future airspace users. Whilst drone operators will be the first to benefit from this deployment, the use of the platform will scale as UAM services come on-line.”

Eve’s Urban Air Traffic Management Solutions

Eve is actively championing the development of solutions and concepts worldwide to support the evolution of a globally harmonized traffic management system for safely scaling Urban Air Mobility (UAM) operations. This work includes the publication of multiple Concepts of Operations (CONOPS) for Urban Air Traffic Management (Urban ATM), live trials simulating UAM operations using helicopters, and testing of Urban ATM technology.

The company’s past projects emphasize the importance of collaboration across industry and government, including initiatives involving Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) and regulatory authorities. Eve’s concept development work also includes vertiport developers, airports, operators, other OEMs and UAM ecosystem stakeholders. Ensuring those involved in traditional operations and new UAM operations is vital to the development of future ATM concepts.

The key completed projects that support the development of a holistic ecosystem and future global harmonization of Urban ATM are:

• Urban Air Traffic Management Concept of Operations – Co-developed with Australia’s ANSP, Airservices Australia, this CONOPS was one of the first bodies of work to define the new services necessary to support the safe introduction and scaling of UAM operations. The CONOPS was further supported by real and fast-time simulations quantifying the constraints of the current ATM system and the efficiency, predictability, and capacity gained through the services in the CONOPS.

• UK CAA Regulatory Sandbox Project UAM CONOPS – Eve led a consortium of organizations consisting of NATS, Heathrow and London City airports, Skyports, Atech, Vertical Aerospace, and Volocopter in the development of a UAM CONOPS focused on airspace integration as part of the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) Regulatory Sandbox initiative. This CONOPS focused on the regulatory challenges for introducing and safely scaling UAM operations using the London environment as a use case and the respective procedures and services that will be necessary to overcome them. The CONOPS underwent multiple iterations with intensive feedback cycles, including UK CAA subject matter experts, to produce a body of work that reflects a practical, incremental, and feasible approach to safely scaling UAM operations. This work supported the UK CAA’s own publication on the Key Considerations for Airspace Integration within a UAM Landscape.

• In November 2023, Eve, in collaboration with global private aviation leader Flexjet, conducted an initial software simulation of Eve’s cutting-edge Urban ATM solution. The initiative validated and refined the software through user testing and feedback on its interface and industry value.  With London being one of the world’s foremost helicopter markets and a key focus for future eVTOL operations, the simulation took place over four days at Flexjet’s Tactical Control Centre at Farnborough Airport, UK, and saw Eve’s Urban ATM software shadowing live helicopter flights, performing the kind of services that will be essential to enabling future UAM operations. Flexjet operates a fleet of 11 helicopters in the UK, and its group of companies is one of Eve’s Urban ATM fleet operator customers. Leading UK helicopter operator Flexjet provided its helicopter fleet to perform flights, collaborating closely with Eve’s Urban ATM team. NATS, the UK’s leading provider of air traffic control services, and London Heliport supported the initiative by providing additional feedback to help ensure Eve’s solution will provide the greatest value to all UAM ecosystem participants.

In addition to the above projects led by Eve, several other CONOPS incorporating the Urban ATM concept have been published globally, such as the K-UAM Concept of Operations 1.0, published by UAM Team Korea, and the Concept of Operations for Advanced Air Mobility, published by the Japanese Public-Private Council for Air Mobility Revolution.

Eve is leveraging decades of experience developing trusted ATM systems that keep our skies safe today to bring this vision into reality. Our solutions will advance the Urban ATM concept, serving as a key enabler to the implementation and scalability of UAM through services for ANSPs, urban authorities, fleet operators, vertiport operators, and other UAM stakeholders.

From before take-off to after landing, the urban environment will count on the integrated systems, services and technologies being developed by Eve to enable a safe, efficient and predictable ecosystem to support eVTOL operations alongside many other airspace users. In the future, the advancement of infrastructure and regulation will rely on these network management services to enable uncrewed flights.

Eve’s Urban ATM solutions will address critical challenges for the launch of eVTOL operations, including:

• Predictability of UAM aircraft flight operations
• Managing delay and disruption due to events outside of the operator’s control
• Stakeholder situational awareness
• Guaranteed vertiport FATO & Stand availability and alternate management

In the past few days, we have been discussing the UAM operating environment, the Urban ATM concept and Eve’s solutions to address and support eVTOL operations.

If you haven’t had the opportunity to visit us to learn more and discuss these topics, visit us at the Atech stand F22.

eveairmobility.com 

About the author: Rob Weaver is the Urban ATM Global Business Development Lead for Eve Air Mobility, the Embraer backed start-up dedicated to accelerating the global UAM ecosystem. He also leads Entry Into Service planning for Eve’s eVTOL aircraft in Australia.

Rob has worked with Embraer-X and Eve on new ATM concepts to support UAM since 2018. Previously he was Executive General Manager Safety, Environment & Assurance at Airservices Australia, where he was a member of the Executive for six years. He has also worked for the UK’s Air Navigation Service Provider and holds a PhD in safety critical systems from the University of York.

SITA delivers critical datalink capability to Avinor, Norway’s air navigation service

The project links SITA’s ATN/VDLm2 service supporting CPDLC to cover the complete communication chain from central Air Traffic Management to the aircraft.

Wholly owned by the Norwegian Government, Avinor is responsible for 43 airports and air traffic control across Norway, part of the North Sea and the Arctic Ocean, providing safe and efficient travel for around 50 million passengers annually.

SITA’s Aeronautical Telecommunications Network (ATN) and VHF Data Link Mode 2 (VDLm2) services are playing a key role in Avinor’s strategic initiative to optimize Norwegian airspace to reduce costs, fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by optimizing trajectories in the upper airspace.

SITA will also boost its VHF Digital Link Mode 2 (VDLm2) infrastructure in southern Norway by adding four VHF stations to ensure efficient airspace coverage.

Work on the five-year project began in 2023, with a service kick-off scheduled for early 2025.

Key benefits of the new service

Avinor’s adoption of SITA’s technology will enable it to automate procedures through CPDLC (ATN-B1) – the main airspace capacity booster in Europe today and essential while air traffic keeps growing across the continent. CPDLC is increasingly the primary means of communication between controllers and pilots, with voice used on an ancillary basis or in contingency situations.

The ATN/CPDLC service plays a crucial role in modernizing air traffic management by:

• Driving sustainability – CPDLC is a prerequisite to implement new ATC concepts such as Trajectory Based Operations. This creates an efficient and detailed, four-dimensional trajectory that is coordinated with ground actors. Air traffic controllers then attempt to facilitate that plan where possible.
• Reducing voice congestion – it offloads routine tasks from voice channels, allowing for quicker communication and improved handling of airspace,
• Improving situational awareness – it enables the exchange of data such as ATC clearances, instructions, and position reports in digital format, enhancing clarity and reducing misunderstandings,
• Increasing flight efficiency – it facilitates more precise clearances and instructions, optimizing flight paths and reducing fuel consumption,
• Reducing communication errors – it uses standardized messaging, minimizing the risk of misinterpretation and improving safety,
• Enhancing data security – ATN provides robust data encryption, safeguarding sensitive communication between pilots and air traffic controllers,
• Reducing workload for controllers – CPDLC automates routine tasks, freeing up controllers to focus on complex situations,
• Improving controller-pilot coordination – CPDLC facilitates two-way communication, enhancing collaboration and situational awareness for both parties,
• Sustainability – CPDLC is a prerequisite to implement new ATC concepts that optimize trajectories and limit emissions.

Strategic steps

Commenting on the adoption of SITA’s ATN/CPDLC technology, Ellen Lystad, Director ANS Technology Development at Avinor, said: “As part of our commitment to the Single European Sky programme (SESAR), are  replacing the core system for en-route services, approach control services and tower services. We are also contributing to efficiency improvements in the European network through an increased scope of data sharing. Data sharing between the ground and air and systems on the ground will lay the foundation of this digitalization – and SITA is making a decisive contribution to that process through its ATN and CPDLC services”.

Yann Cabaret, CEO of SITA FOR AIRCRAFT, welcomed Avinor’s decision to contract SITA to provide the complete air traffic management chain across Norwegian airspace. “With the important inclusion of Norway, SITA can now provide complete airspace coverage across the European Union and adjacent countries – all part of the Single European Sky initiative. SITA operates a European-wide ATN backbone, the primary means of connection to the ANSPs. That places us as a critical reference point in the task of delivering a greener European sky.”

SITA delivers key support for European airspace modernization project to add capacity to Europe’s ATC comms system

The first ATN multilink deployment depends on SITA Backbone Service for connectivity and message distribution.

SITA is the world’s leading specialist in air transport communications and information technology is supporting Viasat, a global leader in satellite communications, in the launch of its Iris service, providing Controller Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) for the first time across the satellite network over continental Europe. The service delivers an additional air/ground communications channel providing increased capacity to the overall air traffic control communications system in Europe.

The pre-commercial flight phase of the Iris program began in January, with easyJet as the launch airline. Additional airlines are expected to join the Iris service during 2024.

SITA’s ATN Backbone Service distributes messages (principally air traffic control clearances) between pilots and air traffic controllers in both air-to-ground and ground-to-air directions. The Viasat Iris satellite communications service securely delivers CPDLC and ADS-C messages directly into the SITA ATN Backbone Service for distribution to ANSPs across Europe.

Pan-European capacity boost

Iris adds multi-link capacity in the European sky to existing ATN messaging services for air traffic control communications that SITA currently provides over its VHF Data Link Mode 2 (VDL-M2) radio network. The new service provides aircraft with an additional air/ground communications network service, which will add more resilience to the overall ATC communications system in Europe in response to continued growth in traffic volumes.

As provider of an ATN Backbone Service in Europe, SITA has been a partner and supplier to the Iris programme from the outset. The European Space Agency (ESA) led and funded the Iris programme with the aim of supporting the European Policy on Single European Skies through a solution that has full European coverage and is based on state of the art, highly secure, satellite communication mobile technologies provided by Viasat in partnership with ESSP for the distribution of the Iris service to European ANSPs.

The EASA-certified Iris service provider ESSP (European Satellite Service Provider) has involved 19 leading Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) in support of the first commercial flights taking place across Europe this year, using the SITA ATN backbone.

Worldwide first

Commenting on the in-service introduction of Iris, Joel Klooster, SVP Flight Safety and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) at Viasat, said: “The operational introduction of the Iris service marks a key moment for Viasat and our partners in reaching the long-term goal of reducing emissions and easing congestion across Europe’s skies. SITA is playing a key role through its ATN Backbone Service– fulfilling a shared goal since the initial operational capability phase was launched in 2018. And it marks a first for the aviation industry worldwide”.

Yann Cabaret, CEO SITA FOR AIRCRAFT, echoed those sentiments in his own reaction to the launch of Iris. “At SITA, we have been using satellite technology since its earliest days, but this is the first time we have added space-led communications into the multi-link communications environment in Europe. This has enabled us to realize the added benefits of increased capacity and resilience, supporting a more efficient and sustainable European sky.”

ANRA Technologies partners with Estonian Aviation Academy to establish U-space test center in Estonia

Sandbox goes live to host and support technology and service providers in the U-space environment.   

Geneva, Switzerland., March 19, 2024 – ANRA Technologies, a global leader in uncrewed traffic management and operational solutions, today announced a strategic partnership with the Estonian Aviation Academy, a state-owned institution with a mission to educate and train future aviation talent. ANRA Technologies (ANRA) and Estonian Aviation Academy (EAVA) will jointly co-develop, manage, and operate an Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) testing facility in Tartu, Estonia, for the wide-scale development and deployment of UAS technologies for U-space implementation.

“We are excited about the opportunities this partnership brings, as it aligns with our shared vision of fostering growth and excellence in the field of Innovative Aerial Services,” stated Maiken Kull, Vice Rector of Development at the Estonian Aviation Academy. “This collaboration is set to unlock new possibilities and contribute to the broader landscape of UAS development, making Estonia a focal point for advancements in U-space implementation.” 

The successful completion of initial testing and validation phases in September 2023 with the Estonian Transport Administration, Estonian Business and Innovation Agency, and the Tartu Science Park Foundation has paved the way for ANRA and EAVA to establish permanent test facilities for U-space operations and supporting infrastructure. Leveraging ANRA’s airspace and fleet management technology solutions combined with EAVA’s aviation expertise, facilities and staff will provide a first-of-its-kind sandbox in the region. This collaboration will provide a conducive test environment for de-risking and maturing technologies and services that align with EU U-space regulations while also serving as a catalyst for accelerating innovation and market adoption of Innovative Aerial Services.

Furthermore, the establishment of a U-space sandbox will enable stakeholders to fulfill their roles and responsibilities in accordance with EU Regulation 2021/664, 2021/665, and 2021/666, facilitating the evaluation of their business and operational strategies. It will allow the Competent Authority to establish a gradual approach to enable commercial operations and service provision in a real-world environment until U-space is fully implemented. 

“This strategic alliance marks a significant step forward in advancing the capabilities of uncrewed aerial systems, and it solidifies the shared commitment of both ANRA and EAVA to drive innovation and progress towards fully commercialized UAS operations in the EU,” stated Amit Ganjoo, Founder and CEO of ANRA Technologies. “The Tartu-based testing facility will serve as a hub for research, testing, and refinement of UAS technologies, fostering an environment conducive to the evolution and integration of these technologies into the EU airspace.”

EAVA takes the role of managing airspace and coordinating flight activities in multiple test sites by establishing the sandbox operations center at its premises near the airport and the City of Tartu. This aligns with regional efforts to develop the IAS ecosystem where U-space stakeholders can converge to validate and implement UAS solutions addressing urban challenges. This collaboration aims to set up a sandbox as a U-space integration platform and facilitate obtaining regulatory compliance to pave the way towards commercial UAS operations and services provision in the real-world urban environment. The physical and digital infrastructure for the test center will be established and available for validation activities by the second half of 2024.

Finish with a flourish on Thursday

Airspace World has a strong final day lined up. Rather than easing down, the event is accelerating toward the finish line and will surely leave you eagerly anticipating Airspace World 2025, 13-15 May, in Lisbon, Portugal.

Thursday is especially important for the next generation of aviation professionals thanks to our “Tomorrow’s Voices” initiative. But all the theatres have a packed programme of sessions and here are just a few “don’t miss” suggestions:

10:00-10:50am Boeing Theatre

SESAR Research on Future Air-Ground Connectivity

Greater air–ground integration will require a solid, safe and secure means of communication This panel will explore how European skies can avoid the capacity crunch and what needs to be considered when rolling out future connectivity infrastructure to in the context of the European ATM Master Plan.

10:30-10:55am Frequentis Theatre

Tomorrow’s Voices – Forum of Next Generation Aviation Professionals

This panel provides a platform for recent graduates and students who have participated in the three-day event to share their insights. It aims to give a voice to the aspiring aviation professionals, fostering an open dialogue about their experiences and key takeaways.

12:00-12:25 Future Skies Theatre

Higher Airspace Operations – Space Traffic Management

DG DEFIS is launching a legislative initiative to develop a framework on safety, resilience and sustainability for space traffic management under the Union Space Programme. Find out about the impact on air traffic during the launch and re-entry phases and why a pan-European approach is important.

12:00-12:50pm Wing Theatre

Next Level Governance of AAM – Co-Creating the Future

This panel focuses on co-creating agile and resilient governance schemes, highlighting top-down and bottom-up approaches, and the necessary skills and capacity-building for public authorities.

12:30-12:55pm Indra Theatre

May Virtual Tower Operations Become Real

Thanks to Remote Towers and Remote Tower Centers, ATCOs are not bound to the airport location. This presentation explores wireless state of the art virtual reality glasses, meaning air traffic control can take place wherever there is internet access. Air navigations services may never be the same again!