Technology improvements of ground controller’s activities

Technology improvements of ground controller’s activities

Mukhtorov Hojiakbar 97 – 18 group

The GROUND controller - The ATC point providing controlling service on the maneuvering area of the aerodrome, excluding the runway

• The GROUND controller is directly subordinate to the aerodrome Flight Supervisor, the senior controller, and operationally on the issue of coordination and provision of flight safety, the TOWER controller.
• The GROUND controller is operationally subordinate to the aircraft Escort duty officer
• In his daily work, the GROUND controller controls the movement of aircraft around the aerodrome according to the flight plan, in accordance with the technology of operation.

Rights

• Prohibit (allow) the start of engines.
• Give instructions on the conditions of taxiing (towing).
• To stop the movement of aircraft in cases that threaten the safety of taxiing (towing), with a message of the reasons.
• Take any other measures to ensure flight safety.

Boundaries

The boundaries of receiving and transmitting ATS during the departure of the aircraft:

• - between the GROUND and the TOWER – a preliminary start; 

The boundaries of receiving and transmitting ATS upon arrival of the aircraft:

• - between the TOWER and the GROUND – the moment when the aircraft leaves from the runway.

Technology of ground controller’s activities in emergency situations

Upon receipt of a report from the crew of the aircraft on the occurrence of an emergency and the decision taken, the GROUND controller is obliged to:

• inform the emergency rescue or AES (if necessary);
• report to the Flight Supervisor (senior controller) about the event and the measures taken;
• prohibit taxiing other aircraft on this route;
• inform the crew of the aircraft about the place of its stop.

 

Surface Movement Radar

Surface Movement Radar (SMR) is radar equipment specifically designed to detect all principal features on the surface of an airport, including aircraft and vehicular traffic, and to present the entire image on a radar indicator console in the control tower. Used to improve visual observation by tower personnel of aircraft and/or vehicular movements on runways and taxi-ways.

Foreign Object Debris (FOD)

Foreign Object Debris (FOD) at airports includes any object found in an inappropriate location that, as a result of being in that location, can damage equipment or injure personnel. FOD includes a wide range of material, including loose hardware, pavement fragments, catering supplies, building materials, rocks, sand, pieces of luggage, and even wildlife. FOD is found at terminal gates, cargo aprons, taxiways, runways, and run-up pads.

FOD detection systems

• XSight – FODetect
• QinetiQ Tarsier Camera
• Stratech's iFerret

XSight – FODetect

• Xsight's automated FOD Detection solution, called FODetect® (Foreign Object Debris Detect), provides continuous monitoring of airport runways for rapid removal of foreign object debris in all weather conditions. FODetect® is part of RunWize, this comprehensive runway threat detection solution, which leverages the fusion of a millimeter-wave radar with electro-optical high definition imaging for superior detection performance.

QinetiQ Tarsier Camera

QinetiQ Tarsier Camera. Tarsier FOD radar detection system sweeps the runway around the clock and, when FOD is detected, the high resolution radar triggers an alarm in the operations center where the user display highlights the object’s location.

Tarsier’s radar detection is complemented by the system’s day and night camera. When FOD has been located, the high-zoom camera pans in and sends a live image for visual confirmation, together with the object’s GPS coordinates, enabling accurate retrieval of the object within minutes.

Stratech's iFerret

The Stratech Group Limited (Stratech or the Group) announced that its flagship iFerretTM intelligent Airfield/Runway Surveillance and Foreign Object & Debris (FOD) Detection System has been selected for performance assessment of a cost effective surveillance system to track aircraft and ground vehicle movements in areas other than runways. These places include taxiway crossings, apron, terminal and cargo areas. iFerret offers superior night vision and HD images

“ASDE-X” equipment

Airport Surface Detection Equipment, Model X, or ASDE-X, is a runway-safety tool that enables air traffic controllers to detect potential runway conflicts by providing detailed coverage of movement on runways and taxiways. By collecting data from a variety of sources, ASDE-X is able to track vehicles and aircraft on airport surfaces and obtain identification information from aircraft transponders.