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The Aircraft Identification Programme is managed by EUROCONTROL and oversees the coordinated development and introduction of ELS, CCAMS and E-ORCAM to achieve the Initial Operating Capability
The expected benefits of the ACID Programme are:
- Unambiguous and continuous aircraft identification for ATC services is assured;
- Eliminination of Mode 3/A code conflicts in the EUR Region;
- Significant reduction in Mode 3/A code changes required (workload reduction for pilots and controllers);
- Elimination of Mode 3/A code shortages in the EUR Region;
- Avoidance of delays induced by code shortages.
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Unambiguous and continuous aircraft identification is an essential and basic requirement for the provision of Air Traffic Control services in the European region. The current method of using Mode 3/A codes managed though the Originating Region Code Assignment Method (ORCAM) suffers from a number of shortcomings which have been observed over the past years.
Since 2003, the ECAC area has been experiencing increasing problems to have sufficient Mode 3/A codes to cope with traffic demand and respect the ORCAM rules for assigning codes. The shortage of available codes to meet traffic demand has been causing more and more problems for individual ATC units and for the European ATM system as a whole. The main problems being experienced are code conflict with potential loss of identification, frequent changes of code for a given flight and a shortage of codes to meet demand.
The situation was compounded by the technical and operational difficulties encountered in bringing new technologies, notably downlinked aircraft identification using the Elementary Surveillance (ELS) capabilities of Mode S surveillance, into full operational use.
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Development of the Aircraft Identification Strategy |
In May 2008, the EUROCONTROL Provisional Council requested the Air Navigation Services Board (ANSB) to examine the issues and problems of aircraft identification and to propose a way forward. The ANSB created a small dedicated Task Force to review the options available and to develop a strategy to meet the need for unambiguous and continuous aircraft identification.
The ANSB Task Force determined that downlinked aircraft identification* is the most effective long-term solution to meet the objective of guaranteeing the unambiguous and continuous identification of individual aircraft within European airspace. As this could not be reasonably implemented across the region before the year 2020, the Task Force determined that immediate action was necessary to meet the current operational problems.
The Task Force developed an Initial Operational Capability, consisting of a mixed environment of ELS, along with more efficient use of the Mode 3/A codes through a Centralised Code Assignment & Management System and where necessary an enhanced ORCAM capability which could be implemented by 2012, and as a first step to realising the long term goal.
* Downlinked aircraft identification is achieved through Mode S Elementary Surveillance, ADS-B and Wide Area Multilateration and does not rely on discrete Mode 3/A codes.
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The 2012 Initial Operating Capability |
To achieve the 2012 Initial Operating Capability, it is necessary to integrate the operational deployment of three code management procedures and processes within Air Navigation Service Provider systems across the European region in a coordinated and structured manner. At all times the implementation must ensure that the operational methods to establish and maintain aircraft identification within one airspace of the region are seamless and completely interoperable with the methods employed in other airspace volumes of the region.
The three operational methods to be used for establishing and maintaining aircraft identification by February 2012 are:
- Elementary Surveillance enabled by Mode S;
- CCAMS;
- Enhanced ORCAM environment.
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The 2012 Initial Operating Capability will be underpinned by EC Regulation and by ICAO & EUROCONTROL agreements for non EC states.
In May 2009, the Stakeholder Consultation Group endorsed the Aircraft Identification 2012 Initial Operating Capability concept as mature and ready for operational implementation (Conclusions SCG/11 Agenda Item 5.3).
The following map shows the regions in which the three aircraft identification methods will apply as confirmed by the Provisional Council Correspondence procedure on 31 August 2009.
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The Aircraft Identification Programme to implement the 2012 Initial Operating Capability |
To achieve the Initial Operating Capability the Aircraft Identification Programme has been developed. The programme is endorsed by the Provisional Council and managed by the EUROCONTROL Agency. Programme oversight is assured by the dedicated steering group of the Air Navigation Services Board.
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The first edition of the ACID newsletter brings you the latest news on ACID, EUROCONTROL's Aircraft Identification Programme.
Click on the link below to access it.
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ACID Newsletter Issue 1, November 2010 |
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- No event is currently planned for 2011.
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Mr
Niema
Mobascheri
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Expert Aircraft Identification
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Last validation: 05/08/2011
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