REMOTE TOWERS UK CAA PERSPECTIVE Executive Digital Tower Symposium 28-29 November 2018 Dave Drake UK CAA 1
Conventional towers a thing of the past? They ve been here a long time They ll be with us for a time to come They re not cheap: Kuala Lumpur International Airport's West Tower 439 ft (133.8 m) - biggest in the world build cost = 16 million But are their day s numbered? 2
The alternative? Remote tower technology appears to offer a cost-effective option in certain circumstances In service in Sweden SESAR JU trials Implementation projects in China, France, Germany, Norway, UK, USA Under consideration in Australia, Brazil, Thailand BUT WHAT DO WE MEAN? 3
Remote, virtual or digital? Remote tower: ICAO: remote tower in PANS-ATM Amendment 8 but not defined. EASA ED Decision 2015/014/R: Aerodrome remote tower means a facility from which ATS can be provided to aerodrome traffic through real-time visual presentation of the elements contained in its area of responsibility (manoeuvring area and vicinity of the aerodrome) together with other elements that support the operation. 4
Remote, virtual or digital? Remote tower: EUROCAE ED240 MINIMUM AVIATION SYSTEM PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATION FOR REMOTE TOWER OPTICAL SYSTEMS: Remote Tower Module (RTM) - A module from which Remote ATS can be provided. It includes one or more controller working positions (CWPs) (including necessary ATS systems such as communications, aerodrome lighting control etc.) and visual presentation display screens, as required. Remote Tower Centre (RTC) - A facility containing one or more RTMs from which ATS can be provided to one or more aerodromes. 5
Remote, virtual or digital? EUROCAE ED240: Virtual Presentation A computer-generated synthetic visual representation of the aerodrome operational environment generated using target information derived from surveillance systems (e.g. multilateration, ADS-B, approach radar), static environment information (e.g. aerodrome layout, GIS data) and other sensor information (e.g. meteorological data). The virtual presentation may contain two-dimensional, three-dimensional, pictorial, symbolic or textual representations. NOTE: This definition includes two-dimensional plan-position indicator type displays as well as three-dimensional virtual environments. 6
Remote, virtual or digital? EUROCAE ED240: Augmented Presentation A mixture of virtual presentation and optical sensor presentation, whereby information associated with real-world objects is presented as 2D/3D graphical elements, image data, symbols or text overlaid onto the optical sensor presentation, either conformably or close to their optical images. Examples include runway/taxiway boundaries and stop bars, and target symbols and labels. 7
Remote, virtual or digital? But what does digital tower mean? Will use remote throughout the presentation 8
Regulatory oversight challenges System considerations Image fidelity Image frame rate Audio facilities System interdependencies and reliability assurance requirements Need to mandate surface movement radar? Cybersecurity. 9
Regulatory oversight challenges Physical considerations: Camera tower frangibility. Camera tower security. Camera tower safeguarding. Camera tower intrusion into obstacle planes. Camera resilience - snow; ice; birds; age; replacement/maintenance (including cleaning) schedule(s). Signal light and pyrotechnic signal provision 10
Regulatory oversight challenges Operational considerations: Failure modes and mitigation of system failure(s) deployment to contingency facilities, control of traffic at the time of failure, etc.) Transition to LVPs 11
Technology is only half the delivery Social considerations Potential loss of high earners in remote locations, unwanted/unwelcome move of ATS personnel. Of concern to labour organisations For ATS providers to resolve Not in scope of this presentation 12
Technology is only half the delivery Human factors: Image frame rate - consideration of the medical/hf impact of low frame rates. Provision of remote ancillary services (especially Met). Control of grass cutting/snow clearance/general aerodrome work in progress? Control of emergency services? ATS personnel ongoing familiarity with served aerodrome(s). 13
Technology is only half the delivery AIP text references to remote tower service provision? AIP charting (AD2 aerodrome charts)? Location of camera(s)? Location of light signals? 14
Technology is only half the delivery Contestability 15
UK next steps Deliver initial policy statement (delayed but plan to publish ASAP) Develop content to reflect equipage states and multiple operations (2019) Ensure alignment with EASA output 16
The EASA angle So far: EDD 2015/014/R: GM on the implementation of the RT concept for single mode of operation EDD 2015/015/R: AMC & GM to Reg. (EU) 2015/340 Requirements on ATCO Licensing regarding remote tower operations NPA 2017-21: Guidelines on Remote Aerodrome Air Traffic Services (ATS) GM* & AMC** to the ATCO training and licensing Regulation (2015/340) 17
The EASA angle Still to come: Outcomes of NPA 2017-21 Expected publication of the expanded EASA material/revised ED Decision(s): Q1 2019 Replace existing Single Remote Tower GM. Extended in scope, covering more complex mode of operations (e.g. busier/larger airports, multiple mode of operation and contingency solutions ) plus use of new technical enablers. Enhanced/improved,takingintoconsiderationgainedoperationale xperiencesandnewr&dresults. Updated set of AMC/GM to the ATCO training and licensing Regulation (2015/340), including refined and scope to cover also e.g. multiple mode of operation. 18
The EASA angle Still to come: A forum to be created under the existing EASA advisory bodies (ATM/ANS TeB & ATM/ANS TeC) with a view to exchange best practices for remote tower implementation and oversight. Possibilities for EASA to provide support to competent authorities and ATS providers, regarding implementation projects 19
EUROCAE ED240 Beyond ED 240 Minimum Aviation System Performance Specification (MASPS) for Remote Tower Optical Systems : EUROCAE developing ED-240A to address, inter alia, remote tower optical target tracking technologies. Expected publication was end 2018/early 2019, no current news Expected that EASA will consider it the appropriate technical reference. 20
The ICAO angle Global Air Navigation Plan (Doc 9750) Appendix 2 Aviation System Block Upgrades B1-RATS Remotely Operated Aerodrome Control. PANS-ATM Amendment 8 Just a beginning. Air Navigation Conference 13 (9-19 October 2018) Papers from China, India, CANSO/IFATCA/IFATSEA, ITF for more to be done to develop appropriate SARPS and PANS 21
The ICAO angle Air Navigation Conference 13 the variety of operational requirements made it challenging to ensure a harmonized approach to all implementations of remote tower operations. the importance of striking the right balance between a specification-based and a performance-based approach to ensure that innovation would not be stifled. industry standards and guidance should be used where possible working papers referred to the relevant ICAO technical expert group to continue the development of provisions and guidance material, as necessary. 22
The ICAO angle More from ICAO can be expected: ICAO continue to monitor the progress implementation of remote towers in the context of the existing work programme. Consideration of a dedicated public access web-hosted library of national provisions relating to the approval of remote tower facilities pending the development of definitive ICAO requirements,akin to the ICAO UAS Toolkit (https://www.icao.int/safety/ua/uastoolkit/pages/default.as px). Amend Doc 9426 ATS Planning Manual to reflect emergence and application of remote towers. 23
The future Remote towers represent an opportunity Regulators avoid stifling innovation and evolution But remote towers may not be a panacea All stakeholders need to work together to enable implementation that is: Globally as consistent as possible Safe 24
Questions 25