Digital In The Skies Simon Daykin NATS Chief Architect

NATS is a service provider of innovative air traffic services and solutions to the global aviation industry. NATS is the UK’s leading air traffic management provider, maintaining the orderly, efficient and, above all, safe passage of aircraft through UK airspace and beyond, handling nearly 2.1m flights in FY 2012/13 NATS provides services worldwide 24 hours a day, 365 days a year

Two of the key elements of Air Traffic Management (ATM) are: Maintaining safe separation of aircraft Maximising the efficiency of traffic flow through the airspace. An aircraft’s track will be determined by the route it follows, and tactical interventions to maintain safe separation and efficient flow.

Traditionally airspace is based on a route structure; it is broken up into sectors to enable it to be safely managed. Air Traffic Controller Officers (ATCO’s) manage aircraft in their sectors, identifying any possible losses of separation between aircraft before they happen. ATCO’s provide ‘clearances’ to aircraft and instruct changes such as heading, speed or height, to maintain safe separation.

4D Trajectories High resolution ‘expected’ track Based on the flight plan Updated in real time though live ‘surveillance’ Enables ‘Free Route’ More efficient flight tracks Not constrained by routes Benefits Less intervention Increased efficiency and reduced emissions

RADAR Satellite ADS-B 1.5 Trillion Data Items Per Year

Queue Management Air traffic flow can be constrained by the limited resources on the ground. This can mean aircraft have to ‘hold’ waiting to land, burning fuel, increasing emissions and wasting time. By slowing down aircraft before they arrive, we can reducing holding.

By sharing real-time information with partners across the air traffic system (using ‘SWIM’) we can enhance decision making, delivering a better experience and lower CO 2 emissions.

TBS – Real-time Big Data Reference Data Reference Data Live Sequence Data Live Metrological Data Live Metrological Data Wake Vortex Measurements Wake Vortex Measurements Arrivals Management Live Downlink From Airplanes Live Downlink From Airplanes TBS Engine TBS Engine Controller Tools Controller Tools

Digital in the Skies Utilising increased computation power to predict the future in 4 dimensions, creating more efficient flight profiles Exploiting new data sources and fusing data to increase surveillance reach and fidelity Sharing information in real time to increase network wide performance and efficiency Exploiting access to real-time data to improve weather resilience

For more – nats.aero Simon Daykin NATS Chief Architect