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Air Traffic Management
What is the issue?
Air Traffic Management - ATM - the combination of navigation, surveillance and communication for the safe and efficient execution of a flight. At the moment, the European Commission is modernising and restructuring air traffic management in Europe which includes a change to the classical concept of operations. The changes to the system also have major implications for the governance and financing of European aviation as well as the restructuring of the ATM-related institutions.
How is ECA involved?
ECA is represented on the relevant institutional bodies (the European Commission, Eurocontrol and EASA) that make decisions or have influence on the future Air Traffic Management systems. ECA also is present in technical working groups and projects, including numerous Eurocontrol teams and working groups as well as EU research projects (eg. SESAR, ASAS-TN, the Air Navigation Team, Airport Operations Team, Wake Vortex work etc..).
Why is the issue important to ECA?
Pilots as the operators are at the heart of the air traffic management system. It is important for pilots to be involved in the development of new systems and to provide their 'niche' operational expertise vis-à-vis technology, equipment, airspace and safety. Pilots and air traffic controllers are forming more and more a cooperative duo, and together, they constitute the human link between increasingly automated air traffic management systems. Issues such as maintaining and improving safety levels in the new system, proper safety reporting systems, the definition of a future concept of operations, the setting of performance targets (including environmental measures), change management etc.. are all issues that directly affect today's and tomorrow's daily work of any pilot in Europe.
Who is responsible?
- Executive Board Director: Riku Aakkula
- Staff member: Fiona Mc Fadden
- Working Group: Air Traffic Management and Aerodromes (Registered users only)
- Chairman: Paul Vissers / Bernd Hechenegger
