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Mansouri opens 2nd Mideast ATC Global Conference

ABU DHABI - In the age of globalisation, those who fail to reach out will be left behind, according to Minister of Economy and Chairman of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri.

In his keynote address before the the second Middle East ATC Global Conference

and exhibition, organised by the GCAA, Al Mansouri said “Our new ACC at Sheikh Zayed Centre has recently been given the prestigious Sheikh Khalifa Award as the country’s best technical project. Nevertheless, we keep improving on it.

Outlining new developments in the UAE aviation sector, the minister added :”

We have upgraded our system to handle – at the same time – both the new ICAO flight plan format and the existing format; We have installed a fourth ATC display system, purely for research and development; We have opened Al Ain approach-radar to the benefit of both military and civilian airspace users; We have replaced our radar console furniture with a new and revolutionary low-profile design with improved ergonomics for both ATC and maintenance staff.

In his address read on his behalf by Deputy Director General of GCAA Omar bin Galib, the minister indicated that the first wide-area multi-lateration system in the Middle

East was installed and it will now begin its pre-operational trials as part of our research and development work.

In the field of research, he went on to say :”We have completed the first year of automated navigation performance monitoring for an RNAV 1 route and obtained some 40,000 measurements. This constitutes the largest set of data held anywhere in the World and permits us to draw conclusions about actual navigation performance to the benefit of airspace development. The reason is that we now can demonstrate that the assumptions upon which route separation standards are based actually are considerably more conservative than necessary.

“Being conservative is a good starting point, but it is equally important to verify our assumptions and base our judgement on facts as they become available. In so doing, we can derive significant benefits without jeopardising safety: We can open more routes and thereby increase capacity, We can shorten routes and save track miles; and We can reduce impact on the environment.

“This example shows why the ACC’s task – in addition to operating air traffic control – is to undertake research: The knowledge gained can be used to the advantage of the entire aviation industry.

“And we need these benefits. Our airlines keep growing and our airports are growing. Therefore, our air traffic control must grow with them. It is a challenge, yes, but it is a challenge for which we are thankful.

“As our airlines expand their route networks we also need stretch out to the World to exchange views and know-how. The main channel for this is ICAO, where we were honoured by massive support in the UAE’s recent re- election to ICAO Council. But there are many other avenues, like ACAC and IATA, where the UAE actively participates in the on-going work. This is also where ATC Global comes into the picture. In the age of globalisation, those who fail to reach out will be left behind and – as the name indicates – we see ATC Global as a platform for global outreach that is consistent with our vision,” he concluded.