EMMA KELLY / LONDON
A third phase is needed to ensure smooth implementation of CNS/ATM in the region
Participants in the Southern Ring Air Routes project, which have been testing new air traffic management (ATM) technology in former Soviet Union states and Mongolia, have requested European Commission (EC) funding for the third phase of the project in an effort to improve the safety and efficiency of air transport operations in the countries.
The first two stages of the project, which ended in October and were funded by the EC's Tacis East European and Central Asia programme, tested automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) technology in Azerbaijan, Georgia and Mongolia. The project also involves Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tadjikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The programme has been led by the Swedish Civil Aviation Administration subsidiary Swedavia, which supplied ADS-B technology.
The first two phases of the project involved ADS-B technology being tested on Azerbaijan Airlines Mil Mi-8 helicopters operating in the Caspian Sea region, Georgian Airlines Tupolev Tu-154s andTu-134s operating from Tbilisi, and Mongolian Airlines AntonovAn-24s.
A third phase is seen as necessary to build on the success of the first stages and to ensure smooth implementation of communications, navigation and surveillance/air traffic management (CNS/ATM) in the region, says Sture Ericsson, project director at Swedavia. The region is keen to exploit CNS/ATM developments to support increased air traffic and to improve flight safety. EC funding is vital for the programme's continuation, without which ADS-B implementation in the region "would be dead", says Ericsson.
Swedavia sees the Southern Ring project as an important component in Russian and European moves towards CNS/ATM, with the region being the "interface between Russia and the rest of the world", he says. The use of CNS/ATM technology in the area would allow the former Soviet states to become part of European Union initiatives, including Single Sky and the ATM 2000+ strategy, and could support validation of ADS-B technology in Europe.
In late November Swedavia met with the EC's EuropeAid office, set up earlier this year to co-ordinate external aid, to discuss funding for a third phase, says Ericsson. The group is seeking c5.5 million ($4.8 million) funding from the EC for the ADS-B element of phase three and c2 million for a second component that would develop useof the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay System (EGNOS) in the region.
Although no funding was promised, the meeting was positive, says Ericsson. He expects a decision on funding from the EC by mid-2002, which would allow the programme to continue in 2003 - later than expected, Ericsson concedes.
Not all the partners are likely to proceed to phase three due to political and infrastructure issues, but Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgystan, Mongolia and Uzbekistan have expressed support.
Details have yet to be determined, but the third phase is likely to last three years and will focus on ADS-B. The programme will involve operational preparation, including simulations, development of a business case and ADS-B integration and transition; and training of air traffic controllers, management and technical training.
Source: Flight International
