NAV CANADA announces new technology sales

OTTAWA, March 9 /CNW Telbec/ - NAV CANADA air traffic management technology - currently in use in the United Kingdom and Denmark - is being adopted by an increasing number of air navigation service providers around the world.

In the latest deployment by NATS, the leading air navigation service provider in the UK, London City Airport is now using the NAV CANADA technology known as the EXCDS - Electronic Flight Progress Strips for its air traffic control tower. London City is the fifth UK airport to go live with this advanced 'paperless' flight-data system.

"We are pleased that more of our colleagues around the world recognize the proven and reliable capabilities of this technology," said John Crichton, President and CEO. "New deployments demonstrate the flexibility of our solutions which are adaptable to a wide range of local operational environments."

NAV CANADA is also working with Sensis Corporation on the design and delivery of an integrated Air Traffic Control solution for Airservices Australia. The companies have been selected to upgrade three air traffic control towers in Melbourne, Adelaide and Rockhampton, with the potential for additional towers in the Australian Air Navigation system.

NAV CANADA is also partnering with Northrop Grumman Corporation on adaptations for the U.S. market. Northrop Grumman has announced that the electronic flight strip management system has been adapted for the U.S. Air Force. The Real-Time Electronic Flight Data System (REFS) - as the Northrop version of the system is known has been interfaced with the NAS operated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and is being used at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas.

With EXCDS technology, controllers use touch-sensitive computer screens to monitor aircraft and manage air-traffic flow, eliminating the need for traditional paper flight strips. It is currently used in over seventy facilities across Canada including Control Towers, Area Control Centres and Flight Service Stations.

An adaptation of EXCDS is already operational at four London area airports: Stansted, Gatwick, Luton and Heathrow.

In 2007, Naviair, the Danish air navigation service provider, began using the system at the newly constructed control tower in Copenhagen. Naviair selected the Canadian technology as part of its modernization program aimed at increasing the capacity in the airspace over Denmark. This system has improved efficiency and enhanced the quantity and flow of flight data.

NAV CANADA, the country's civil air navigation services provider, is a private sector, non-share capital corporation financed through publicly-traded debt. NAV CANADA provides integrated Air Traffic Management Technology Solutions to air navigation service providers, worldwide.

For further information: John Morris, Director, Communications, [phone]; Ron Singer, Manager, Media Relations, [phone]; Media Information Line: 1-888-562-8226