Control Towers in Denmark to implement NAV CANADA technology

OTTAWA, Oct. 25 /CNW/ - NAV CANADA technology that can automatically broadcast weather and other flight information to pilots is being installed in Denmark as part of a new agreement between the Canadian air navigation service provider and its Danish counterpart, Naviair.

This technology - developed by NAV CANADA - is a multi-purpose tool designed to manage and transmit weather and routine information to aircraft arriving and departing at airports. For aircraft flying international routes, the technology transmits both weather information and information during special situations, such as warnings of volcanic ash in the atmosphere.

Morten Dambæk, Director General of Naviair, said, "Naviair selected NAV CANADA to supply this system on the basis of its extended functionality for both domestic and international flights, its value, and compliance with the project specifications. We have been impressed by the commitment and experience of NAV CANADA in the past, and look forward to the deployment of this technology."

Said John Crichton, President and CEO of NAV Canada, "We look forward to working closely with Naviair on a new project that will introduce key efficiencies for pilots and air traffic managers. This is another example of how technological expertise is transportable across the global air navigation system benefiting customers while reducing overall developmental costs." 

There are two key components to the technology. The first component is the Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) system, which transmits automatic broadcasts to arriving and departing aircraft. It will be installed at Denmark's Copenhagen and Roskilde airports, with an option for other towers in the country.

The second component is called VOLMET, which provides in-flight meteorological information, serving pilots flying international routes. Two national VOLMET systems will be deployed in Denmark - one to transmit  routine information, and the other to transmit information during special situations, such as volcanic ash warnings.

The NAV CANADA ATIS-VOLMET technology is part of the company's Integrated Tower Automation Suite (INTAS) of products, which includes EXCDS Integrated Flight Strips, Surveillance Display, Operational Information Display, Air Field Lighting and ATIS.

EXCDS, an advanced, tower, terminal, airport and enroute coordination system, permits controllers to manage electronic flight data online, eliminating the need for paper handling, reducing voice communications and minimizing heads down time. EXCDS is now being deployed at operational centres on three continents: Europe, North America, and Australia.

In an earlier agreement with NAV CANADA, Naviair went operational with EXCDS technology at its airport tower in Copenhagen, in December 2007. The Danish version of EXCDS Integrated Flight Strips system is called NITOS (Naviair Integrated Tower Operating System).  

ABOUT NAV CANADA

NAV CANADA, the country's civil air navigation services provider is a private sector, non-share capital corporation financed through publicly-traded debt. With operations from coast to coast to coast, NAV CANADA provides air traffic control, flight information, weather briefings, aeronautical information services, airport advisory services and electronic aids to navigation. For more details about INTAS, please visit the Technology Solutions section of the NAV CANADA website at www.navcanada.ca

ABOUT Naviair

Naviair, a state enterprise under the Danish Ministry of Transport is responsible for provision of air navigation services in Denmark. Included are area control service in Copenhagen FIR as well as approach and tower control services at the Copenhagen airports of Kastrup and Roskilde and the airports of Billund, Aalborg, Aarhus, Bornholm and Esbjerg. Flight Information Service is provided in Copenhagen FIR to VFR flights and helicopter flights in airspace of the North Sea.

For further information:

Ron Singer
Manager, Media Relations
NAV CANADA
[phone]

Bo Pedersen
Director of Communications
Naviair
[email protected]
[phone]