Adacel awarded new FAA contract for TSS System Software and Support
Adacel Technologies Limited, an industry leader in advanced Air Traffic Management (ATM) and Air Traffic Control (ATC) simulation and training solutions, announces a new contract award from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The contract, a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, includes a one-year Base Period and four, one-year Option Periods. Under this contract, Adacel will provide ATC Tower Simulation System (TSS) Software and Support Services for technical and operational training of Air Traffic Controllers at selected FAA Air Traffic Control Towers (ATCTs). Adacel estimates the total value of the contract over its five-year duration to be USD$6.7 million contingent on the optional years exercised.
Speaking about the award, Daniel Verret, Adacel’s CEO states, “As the FAA TSS software Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), we are thrilled with the confidence the Federal Aviation Administration continues to place in our team, products, and services. Adacel consistently improves the performance of its ATC simulation software, while maintaining the highest levels of availability and reliability. We look forward to successfully supporting the FAA TSS software and deploying our latest ATC training software solutions to the FAA.”
The comprehensive scope of the awarded contract includes TSS software support andmaintenance plus options to update the TSS simulation engine, speech recognition software and migrate the FAA’s current Image Generator to AeroScene, Adacel’s latest and state-of-theart image generator solution.
“We are fully committed in supporting the FAA to successfully recruit, train, and enhance the skills of Air Traffic Controllers at critical National Airspace System (NAS) terminal facilities and ensure each day is a training day with Adacel’s high-performing simulation and training solutions,” continues Mr. Verret.
This contract reaffirms Adacel’s industry leadership and ongoing collaboration with the FAA, spanning over two decades. By delivering industry-leading technology and solutions, Adacel remains committed to advancing air traffic control simulation and training systems for the benefit of the aviation industry.
This contract award has already been included in the Company’s forecasts. There are nomaterial conditions that need to be satisfied before the contract becomes legally binding.
People are our strength
Katrina Hall, Deputy Chief Operating Officer NAS Programs and Support, FAA ATO, is a key panellist at our Inclusive Skies: Strategies for Diversity in Aviation session in the Boeing Theatre on Wednesday 20 March, at 15:30. Here she talks about the importance of diversity and inclusion in the ATM industry.
Is aviation an attractive industry to Gen Z?
Aviation is undergoing momentous change. Drones and commercial space vehicles are revolutionizing the industry, we’re introducing digital technologies and looking at how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to increase safety. There are future technologies that I can only dream about and have yet to be invented. We need to recruit a passionate and curious workforce as we integrate all these new technologies into the system.
I think aviation, with its strong history of innovation and focus on connecting people, is attractive to Gen Z. Our challenge is ensuring that through outreach, we meet them on their terms, in their spaces. For example, we have a strong digital footprint on social media and collaborate with influencers from our target audiences to engage with and provide information to Gen Zers on aviation opportunities.
What more can we do to close the gender gap?
Women play critical roles throughout the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Organizations like Professional Women Controllers, Inc., Technical Women’s Organization and the Federal Women’s Program are breaking down barriers to the hiring and advancement of women as well as enhancing employment opportunities for women in every area of federal service.
We know we have more work to do, and through our diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) outreach programs continue to engage with women and female students to show them the career opportunities that exist in aviation.
How important are role models?
I believe that role models are hugely important. It’s so much easier to see yourself in a career if you have a person who can support or inspire you on your journey.
We know that there are many talented people who would excel in aviation, however if you are in a community where no one talks about aviation it’s hard to imagine oneself making it a career. That’s why I am so passionate about mentorship – I’m able to provide information and see opportunities that the person may never have considered.
In addition to our established recruitment efforts, those of us who work in aviation are the best advocates for our industry. I believe we should all aspire to be the role model that we wanted/needed when we started our professional journeys.
What constitutes success in diversity?
At the FAA people are our strength. We are stronger, more innovative, and more successful when diverse talents and experiences are present at the table. The mission of the FAA is to ensure the safety of a diverse nation. It only makes sense that the workforce responsible for that mission reflects the nation that it serves.
For the FAA, diversity is a wide range of life experiences and backgrounds. We believe diversity is needed to ensure multiple perspectives are at the table, guarantee safety as a priority, and promote a healthy work environment. We believe that when we work together, we will advance our objectives more efficiently and effectively than if we do not.
Hear from Katrina at the Inclusive Skies: Strategies for Diversity in Aviation session, Wednesday 20 March, 15:30, Boeing Theatre
Reflections on a super Tuesday
Tuesday saw the opening day of Airspace World 2024, with thousands of attendees from over 130 countries coming to be part of the largest ATM gathering. You can see all of yesterday’s pictures here.
Don’t waste a Wednesday at Airspace World
Airspace World is in full swing, and all our speakers and exhibitors are stepping up to the challenge of keeping our attendees engaged and informed. As ever, there is a full programme of sessions at the five theatres. Here are just a few highlights:
10:00-10:25am Wing Theatre
Electronic Conspicuity, the Roadblock to AAM
A complete picture of airspace is necessary for the safety of all users. The concept of sharing position data is called Electronic Conspicuity. Traditionally, this is done with ADS-B systems but not all aircraft can or choose to use ADS-B. This session will look at UTM, designed to be a comprehensive EC system capable of supporting various types of flight plans and flight tracking systems.
10:30-11:20am Boeing Theatre
Solving a Decades-Old Problem: Dynamic Civil-Military Airspace Sharing
A US company is looking to facilitate civil-military cooperation. Its solution – called Dynamic Airspace Sharing – provides tools to military range commanders, air traffic controllers and flights dispatchers. The aim is to achieve notable reductions in flight times, operating expenses and CO2 emissions.
Increasing digitalisation means an increasing cybersecurity challenge. Participants in this panel will explore the latest emerging technologies relevant to aviation, and discuss the measures, strategies, and collaborative efforts required to fortify the integrity of our airspace systems.
2:30-2:55pm Future Skies Theatre
Enabling Reasonable Autonomy for Emphatic AI Agents in ATM through Large Language Models
Large Language Models (LLMs) have the potential to shape aviation’s future. LLMs can function as reasoning engines, self-deciding agents and human-machine interfaces on a variety of fields, such as ATCO workflows, airline operations and U-space services. Learn how these models ingest relevant data and output informed answers.
4:00-4:25pm Frequentis Theatre
The Power of Sharing: Operational Benefits of Convergence
Find out how advanced digital technology is driving a convergence between airport and tower operations. This promises several advantages, including enhanced situational awareness, an increased time horizon for decision-making and optimisation of airport capacity.
How ATM can drive the industry to net zero
The Boeing Theatre hosted an in-depth presentation on how ATM can play its part in greening the skies.
Vicki Hughes and William McMaster from Egis accepted that aviation is a carbon-intensive industry and there are enormous pressures to reduce CO2 from customers through to governments. Even banks are looking at whether investments are aligned with the Paris Agreement and so future projects will depend on an organisation’s green credentials.
The talk explained the Scopes, which were laid down in the Greenhouse Gas Protocol:
Scope 1 – direct emissions, such as facilities and vehicles.
Scope 2 – indirect emissions, such as energy supply source
Scope 3 – other indirect emissions throughout the supply chain, such as aircraft emissions.
A holistic approach involving all stakeholders is therefore essential because emissions can occur at any point in the supply chain.
It was suggested that, for any organisation, including air navigation service providers (ANSPs), a roadmap is a good place to start. This would establish the existing carbon footprint as a baseline for future improvements. The roadmap would then explore where new technologies, collaboration, and advanced procedures can be properly utilised, and the timeframes involved. A roadmap could even consider charges and how they can be used to incentivise greener practices.
Relevant accreditations and certifications, such as CANSO’s GreenATM and ISO standards, are also important markers on the road to net zero. ANSPs should be aware that these can take time and resources, but they are extremely useful tools for identifying any gaps and plotting progress.
Airspace changes and modernisation were also highlighted as essential enablers for sustainability. Airspace changes require close collaboration but will facilitate free route airspace, cross-border operations and continuous descent approaches, all of which offer significant efficiency and sustainability gains.
The presenters also noted that a sustainability dashboard can assist ANSPs in recognising air traffic management inefficiencies. A dashboard can give an “at-a-glance” overview of such topics as operational performance, weather patterns and airline routing preferences.
“We must encourage a proactive approach,” concluded Hughes. “We must balance growth requirements with environmental responsibility.”
Transforming the skies of tomorrow
Artificial intelligence (AI) once again took centre stage at the Frequentis Theatre, with panellists discussing how artificial intelligence is transforming air traffic management.
The conversation kicked off with a discussion of what exactly should be termed AI. NATS, the UK air navigation service provider (ANSP), has recently launched an AI policy and adopted a broad definition. For NATS, AI is anything that can support a human in his or her tasks or indeed undertake a task normally performed by a human.
It was also pointed out that AI is decades-old, and many companies have used AI for some time, depending on the definition. Frequentis, for example, developed a speech recognition programme that used AI many years ago.
A key point was that full automation that is reliant on AI is a long way off. For many years to come, AI’s role will be in decision support for air traffic controllers and other staff. This will build the trust and experience that will be essential to embracing the full potential of AI. The technology can also be used for monitoring and analysing.
Areas where AI can make an initial impact include weather prediction, digital twin scenarios, predictive maintenance and training. When getting a controller from “street to seat”, for example, AI can look at a student’s progress to ensure simulations are tailored to cover any possible shortfalls in knowledge.
AI is already playing a role mirroring time-based separation at London Heathrow. It was revealed that, generally, AI takes a safer approach than is absolutely necessary, but this is helping to inform the parameters that need to be put in place.
One of the biggest challenges ahead is certification. EUROCAE is working hard on a standard that will align Europe with the United States and also connect with other parts of the world. This work will be a cornerstone of AI development and a key enabler for progress.
Generative AI (Gen AI) is another step, however, because this rewrites its own code, thus defining how to certify Gen AI will be a long and difficult process.
Overall, however, AI will have a positive impact on ATM. It will enhance productivity, performance and resilience while providing the platform for future developments. But the form of these future developments is anybody’s guess!
Navigating air traffic management challenges
By Markus Klopf, Frequentis Head of ATM Portfolio and International Affairs
Passenger numbers are set to reach record highs in 2024, and we see airports looking for enhancements to deal with capacity and air traffic controller workload.
In the realm of Air Traffic Management (ATM), the absence of a unified global framework on resilience underscores a significant challenge. This gap leads to disparate national solutions, highlighting the need for a cohesive approach to ensure the reliability and continuity of air navigation services worldwide. Recently, at the ATM Users Experience Conference in Helsinki, industry leaders from over 20 Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) convened to address pressing issues and chart a course for the future.
The conference shone a light on the theme of digital transformation and its profound impacts on ATM. As one participant noted, similar to the intricate operations of a Formula 1 race car, modern ATM systems rely on a plethora of sensors and real-time data. However, success hinges not only on technology but also on the synergy between processes and people.
Key for us are solutions that increase ATM productivity, performance, and resilience, while also committing to green aviation. These are our considerations:
Productivity
Productivity is vital to the evolution of ATM. With heightened competition and escalating demands from airspace users, ANSPs are compelled to enhance operational efficiency to ensure not only improved passenger experience but also reduce costs. Technologies like remote digital towers offer promising solutions, yet the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), although promising precision and efficiency, brings some scepticism among ATM operational staff of its reliability and security.
Performance
High performance is equally critical to aviation and so every development must be guided by the need for operations to be reliable, scalable, and, above all, safe. The continued digitalisation of the ATM IT infrastructure allows for new approaches to digital applications and solutions. Open, digital platforms, as already widely used in mainstream IT, is taking its steps into ATM. We are happy that we started this digital transformation roadmap years ago and have already transitioned many ANSPs towards a new, ATM-grade, digital platform. The sheer amount of available computing power today offers new possibilities and approaches to cloud-based or distributed systems. The whole sector is challenged by those new possibilities: industry, ANSPs and also regulators must adopt and find new ways to ensure safety and reliability.
Resilience
As ATM infrastructure evolves and becomes a prime target for disruption, resilience grows in significance. Whether from natural disasters or malicious acts like hacking, it is clear of the need for continuous operation and the need to retain legacy infrastructure as a fallback measure. In recent times, we have learnt that resilience relies on the inclusion of technological precautions, , thoroughly planned contingency processes, and, most importantly the human factor. However, the industry still has not agreed on a harmonised concept and approach, leading to a multitude of diverse solutions across the world. It is great to see advances here by CANSO, such as the newly released “Planning for the expected and unexpected”.
The concept of virtualisation, in the form of virtual centres or remote digital towers is one way to increase resilience of the ATM system, while “digital immunity” is essential to maintain resilience and ensure continued operation after disruptions.
Green aviation
The industry is committed to driving a greener, more sustainable future. We believe sustainability is not just a trend but a necessity. As such, we are dedicated to promoting sustainable practices in our operations.
Sustainability, embodied by initiatives like the CANSO GreenATM scheme, is gaining momentum as the industry embraces eco-friendly practices. Although there are many advancements the challenges remain and the transition to the future requires us to embrace innovation.
The collaborative approach
Navigating the transition to the future of ATM while ensuring safety and reliability of legacy equipment involves significant costs and efforts. It calls for a collaborative approach with partners who share a common vision and are prepared to safeguard existing systems while embracing innovation.
As a reliable partner in ATM for years, we remain committed to navigating these challenges alongside our customers. Our investment in cutting-edge technology is matched by our unwavering commitment to operational integrity. Furthermore, our expansion in local regions underscores our dedication to fostering growth and resilience on a global scale.
Within this landscape, we stand ready to collaborate, fully committed to our clients and the industry. Recognising the complexities ahead, we are set to face these challenges together.
About Frequentis
Frequentis’ safety-critical communication and information solutions leverage more than seventy-five years of cross-industry experience in civil aviation, defence, public safety, and public transportation markets. Frequentis ATM ensures the safety of 95% of the world’s passengers and aircraft and helps ANSPs worldwide efficiently deliver safer and more secure capacity for airspace users.
Markus Klopf is Head of ATM Portfolio and International Affairs for the Air Traffic Management (ATM) division at Frequentis and has over 20 years of global experience in the telecommunications and IT sector. He is involved in international organizations such as CANSO and ATCA and is co-founder of the ATCA Young Aviation Professionals (YAP). In CANSO he’s part of the SISC Steering Group and Co-chair of the Strategic Technology Working Group. Markus has played a key role in growing the Frequentis portfolio in ATM, for example, he championed the creation of Frequentis’ drone strategy, worked on the transition from research to products for SWIM as well as growing the remote digital tower business. His credo is that he wants to make the world a better place, which is why he’s been very active in pushing green ATM solutions for many years. Prior to Frequentis, Markus held various commercial and technical positions at the Swedish telecoms company Ericsson. He has an engineering degree and earned his Master’s degree in Marketing and Sales at the University of Applied Sciences in Vienna, Austria. He is a passionate runner, cyclist, tennis player and certified chair umpire and referee.
The Future of Urban Air Mobility and Urban Airspace
The introduction of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft will create a new, exciting market for Urban Air Mobility (UAM). Very soon, we will see eVTOLs providing air taxi services for passengers and cargo in metropolitan areas around the world. UAM is expected to become a mainstream mode of transportation in certain locations as operations scale and mature.
Several airspace and Air Traffic Management (ATM) challenges must be addressed to support the introduction and growth of UAM in a globally harmonised way. Urban aircraft operations will increase in tempo, density, and complexity, with more flights and shorter turnaround times. It will be necessary to solve the unique ATM issues associated with battery-powered, piloted, passenger-carrying operations. In addition, ground infrastructure will evolve to accommodate this new environment, with multiple vertiports operated by different organisations serving multiple fleet operators.
While initially piloted, a diverse range of eVTOL aircraft will enter service over the next 10 to 15 years. UAM’s increased use of airspace will coincide with the rise of other users like Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) in urban skies. We will eventually transition to both piloted and uncrewed electric aircraft, integrating with existing airspace users and drones. Ultimately, the urban airspace will comprise a mix of piloted, remotely piloted, and autonomous aircraft of varying sizes, propulsion systems and payloads.
In some locations, existing airspace management and ATM approaches will be insufficient to handle future urban airspace demands. A more advanced approach is needed to safely scale operations, agnostic to the aircraft type, and ensure fair and equitable airspace access. The evolution of ATM in the urban environment must support existing and new airspace users, including piloted and uncrewed aircraft operations. New ATM services will likely incorporate UAS Traffic Management (UTM) concepts, tailored for urban airspace and all airspace users.
The first eVTOL UAM operations will follow Visual Flight Rules, with Instrument Flight Rule operations anticipated soon after. While an eVTOL can operate within the existing airspace and ATM framework without significant changes, introducing UAM-specific ATM services early is highly beneficial. They can support the launch of eVTOL operations and help prepare for scale, so planning must commence now for these types of services. Therefore, Eve is working on these solutions with a wide range of industry stakeholders and partners.
The complexity of integrating new urban airspace operations with existing aircraft requires more advanced ATM services compared to other airspace segments. Therefore, a specific concept focused on urban airspace is a crucial priority for the industry.
The implementation of Urban ATM concepts must be harmonised globally. Aircraft Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and operators will likely develop and operate aircraft in many different countries. Like traditional ATM, common global approaches will be needed to enable technology integration and ensure investment in UAM can be made effectively. UAM Ecosystem stakeholders will need a shared vision of how ATM will evolve to support UAM in the short, medium and long term.
Eve believes an agnostic approach to managing traffic is needed for operations to scale safely. The company advocates for an agnostic Urban ATM concept supporting fair and equitable airspace access through participation in standards bodies and industry associations and discussions with aviation authorities.
Tomorrow, we will introduce our work on Urban ATM as an approach to address the integration of all airspace users in the urban environment.
For more information, visit us at the Atech stand F22.
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.
CANSO welcomes two new members including its first Academia Member – Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
CANSO is delighted to welcome Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University as its newest Member and the very first organisation to join CANSO’s Academia and Research membership category.
The official welcoming of Embry-Riddle took place today (19 March), the first day of Airspace World – the world’s largest and most influential airspace and near-space management event.
CANSO’s Membership category for Academia and Research organisations targets organisations focused on fostering education, research, and knowledge dissemination in the aviation field and is aimed at those who specialise in matters related to aviation and air traffic management.
This strategic move of CANSO aims to foster collaboration between Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) and academia and research institutions. By joining CANSO, not-for-profit institutions dedicated to advancing air traffic management will have a platform to engage with industry stakeholders and contribute to impactful research initiatives.
“We are delighted to announce that Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has submitted the first application to join the Academia and Research Membership,” commented Eduardo Garcia, CANSO Senior Manager Future Skies. “This milestone achievement, celebrated today during Airspace World, signifies the beginning of an exciting journey towards fostering collaboration, innovation, and mutual growth,” he added.
“We are proud and thrilled to become the first academia member of CANSO,” said Clyde Rinkinen, Associate Professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (pictured above, right, with Simon Hocquard, Director General, CANSO). “We hope that our membership with CANSO will provide us the platform to facilitate independent research and training on aviation-related topics for CANSO members and workgroups. Moreover, we are looking forward to participating in discussions and exchanging knowledge to bridge the gap between academia and the air-traffic management industry,” he added.
Other CANSO membership benefits in this category include participation in CANSO groups, collaboration on research projects, potential involvement in postgraduate scholarship programmes, enhanced visibility within the ATM community, and opportunities to promote educational courses and study programmes.
In addition to extending a warm welcome to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, CANSO is delighted to announce the addition of NASA as an Associate member. This new partnership underscores CANSO’s commitment to fostering collaboration and innovation within the aviation industry. With NASA’s renowned expertise and groundbreaking research in aerospace exploration and technology, their participation as an Associate member will enrich the collective knowledge and drive forward-thinking initiatives aimed at advancing air traffic management and airspace operations globally. CANSO looks forward to the valuable contributions and insights that NASA will bring to the organisation’s collaborative efforts towards shaping the future of aviation.
Intelligent Approach now fully incorporated in Indra ATM Systems to increase capacity at high traffic volume airports
Indra’s ManagAir air traffic management system, one of the most widely used in control centres and airports around the world, now incorporates the NATS and Leidos developed Intelligent Approach system.
Intelligent Approach has been deployed at some of the world’s busiest airports to deliver additional tactical capacity, increase on time performance and reduce emissions per-flight.
In continuous operation at Heathrow since 2015, Intelligent Approach was deployed at Toronto Pearson in 2022 and then Amsterdam Schiphol in early 2023. Once it went live at Amsterdam, it increased the airport’s capacity by up to six additional landings per hour, per runway.
The partnership agreement signed between the three companies means users of Indra Air Traffic Management systems in over 50 countries now have the option to seamlessly integrate Intelligent Approach – including time-based separation and wake vortex re-categorisation – into their operations.
Intelligent Approach allows air traffic controllers to optimise the spacing between arriving aircraft based on time rather than distance and thereby maximise runway capacity, reducing delays, and cutting fuel burn and emissions per-flight. It dynamically calculates the optimum time between arrivals based on aircraft size and type together with their runway occupancy time.
Intelligent Approach uses the latest wake vortex categorisation and dynamically calculates the spacing between arrivals based on real time wind conditions, rather than relying on wind forecasts and set distances. It has been shown to help airports increase the capacity of their existing runways without the need for any new airfield equipment or infrastructure.
Managing Director of ATM at Indra, Javier Ruano, said: “This collaboration allows us to accelerate the introduction of the most innovative technologies to move towards a greener and more sustainable aviation. It provides our clients with quick and easy access to the most cutting-edge technologies that have demonstrated a real ability to increase the efficiency of their operations.”
Indra’s Chief Executive Director, José Vicente de los Mozos, said: “This collaboration allows us to accelerate the introduction of the most innovative technologies to move towards a greener and more sustainable aviation. It provides our clients with quick and easy access to the most cutting-edge technologies that have demonstrated a real ability to increase the efficiency of their operations.”
Martin Rolfe, NATS Chief Executive Officer, said: “Intelligent Approach has a proven track record of delivering addition runway capacity wherever it has been deployed. This new agreement means Indra customers all over the world can now more easily enjoy those benefits, increasing their operational efficiency, improving on-time performance, and reducing fuel burn per-flight.”
Graham Emmons, Vice President & Managing Director, Civil at Leidos UK & Europe said: “This is an exciting milestone for Intelligent Approach as more airports globally may be able to reap the benefits it delivers. As evidenced by our most recent deployments, Intelligent Approach not only supports operational enhancements to existing airport infrastructure, but also contributes to environmental improvements. These include a reduction in overall airport CO2 emissions and decreased usage of noise-sensitive runways. We look forward to supporting future deployments.”
