Small aircraft operators express concern over tacking system implementation

Aug 24, 2014 News

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– Cost factor is source of unease

By Zena Henry
The cost to equip locally-used aircraft with the newly-received aircraft tracking

system, Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B), has operators seriously studying their dollars since they might have to spend several thousand (US) to come up to par.
The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) on Thursday last launched its ADS-B trial project. The body opined that the system will significantly improve the way Guyana controls air traffic. However domestic operators are questioning the cost to accommodate the device and how soon they can begin to see returns on their investment, since the total programme will not be operational until the next five years.
In gaining clarity, aviation stakeholders were concerned about the system’s operation and the finances that would have to be invested. It was explained that to accommodate ADS-B some operators would have to spend as much as US$8,000. Some of the local aircraft already have built in systems that could be upgraded. This reportedly can cost about US$5,000, while those carriers without any accommodating system will have to spend more.
However, Air Navigation Services Director Chaitrani Heeralall emphasised that ADS-B is a positive move in the country’s aviation history. While acknowledging the operators’ financial concerns, she said that within the five-year period it is expected that the companies would try to get themselves in order, since the programme would be immensely beneficial to them.
Operators were also informed that previous challenges being faced in the country will be overcome, because the information given by the system is easily more accurate and reliable. ADS-B is a fairly new air traffic control system which is steadily gaining traction globally. The system tracks aircraft activity in real-time and with air traffic control accuracy and security, practically anywhere in the world.
It is said to be proven and certified as a viable low cost replacement for conventional radar. According to ADS-B Technologies, the engineering and technical consulting firm which provides support in the system’s deployment, ADS-B allows pilots and air traffic controllers to “see” and control aircraft with more precision, and over a far larger percentage of the earth’s surface than has ever been possible before.
Heeralall told the gathering of invitees that in 2002 Guyana was considered a “black hole.” That was because international air traffic refused to use the country’s airspace because of its poor air traffic control systems. The method being used required radio communication. This could not provide a visual feed of what is happening in the sky.
The procedural system which demands audio exchange of information between Air Traffic Controller (ATC) and pilots means that any information on positioning, terrain, etc. had to be requested. This information was not received in real time. It was explained that a pilot could be asked to radio in his position, but by the time that information is received by the ATC, he would have flown some distance away..
The procedural system also limited aircraft to certain routes and altitudes. That is, in a given block of airspace, only a certain number of planes were allowed to operate and they had to fly a certain distance apart or, with wider margins, to avoid collisions.
ADS-B reduces these restrictions significantly. Once an aircraft is connected to ADS-B it is automatically tracked. Information that was previously unavailable to an ATC is now readily available. That is because the system is always on and working. It depends on an accurate global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signal for position data surveillance and provides a radar-like monitoring service and broadcasts aircraft position and other aircraft data continuously.
Local operators were asked to remain optimistic about the new system since the sector will no longer trouble from flight delays, diversions, longer routes and loss in revenue. These challenges existed because of the poor surveillance systems. Therefore, an aircraft, for example, would have been asked to operate at a certain altitude which would be below its optimal level. The craft would then burn seven percent more fuel, which over a year’s time could result to millions of dollars being lost.
Operators without the ADS-B system will have to operate in a small airspace block, which will lead to continued setbacks, delays and loss of revenue.
ADS-B will give a satellite feed on an aircraft’s position, altitude and other relevant information. The information is then sent to an ADS-B ground station which will then be transmitted to the ATC systems for presentation on a controller’s display.
Minister of Works, Robeson Benn, highlighted that the new tracking system goes along with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)’s standards. He described it is a significant achievement for the aviation sector and stressed that it will enable millions of US dollars to be saved.
The total implementation of ADS-B, including, training, hardware, software acquisition, will cost about US$3million.

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