Safety

Israel is planning to begin a trial towards the middle of this year of an authentication system for civil aircraft pilots.

Under this system Israeli air traffic control will be able to identify positively the pilots of civil aircraft approaching the country’s airspace.

While precise details of the method behind the system are not being disclosed, it will be based on a ‘smart card’ to verify pilots’ identity.

This will enable controllers to check that inbound aircraft are not hostile. Every aircraft regularly operating to Israel will be equipped with the system.

A source within the Israeli ministry of transport claims that the scheme will provide “positive identification under any situation”.

Developed by Elbit Systems of Haifa, the system will become operational in late 2007 or early 2008