From 28 October 2013, Ukraine started to transfer Correlated Position Report (CPR) messages to the Network Manager’s operational Enhanced Tactical Flow Management System (ETFMS). This information is used to improve the accuracy of the network picture of traffic across Europe.
This additional activation of real-time surveillance data transmission is an important achievement for several reasons.
Geographically, it is the first country crossed by many flights from the east/far-east as they enter the EUROCONTROL Integrated Initial Flight Plan Processing System (IFPS) area. So it is the first opportunity for the Network Manager to receive radar position data and to update the flight profiles on position, time and flight level, thus enabling a more accurate prediction of traffic levels.
The data received from Ukraine also provides the SSR code information used by the Centralised Code Assignment & Management System (CCAMS) monitoring and the 24 bits address used for the Central Route Charges Office (CRCO).
The CPR activation will be deployed incrementally to the whole of Ukraine, with Kiev being the first one to start the process. The other Ukrainian Area Control Centres will follow and the coverage will be completed in 2014.
Improved accuracy of the network picture
Most ACCs in Europe provide surveillance data (radar plots) to the Network Manager Operations Centre (NMOC). These contain the aircraft’s current position and are used to update the flight profiles, so contributing to the overall accuracy of the picture of the network. This results in more accurate flow management predictions and more accurate estimated landing times for destination airports.
The updated profiles further support the preparation and publication of appropriate regulation plans, ATFCM scenarios and ATFCM measures (e.g. slots and re-routings) and enables the optimisation of departure times of traffic that is not yet airborne.
The updated flight data is also shared with other Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs), aircraft operators and airports in order to improve the situational awareness of their flights.
Source / Author: Eurocontrol