Today’s world of Air Traffic Control is marked by the rapid advancement of technology, steady growth of European air traffic and the requirements of the Single European Sky. To address those challenges, we are introducing new technologies and systems to increase safety and partially automate Air Traffic Control.
Our team of highly-trained engineers monitor, maintain and improve said systems, as well as actively participate in international development programs.
The monitoring and control of technical systems and equipment is being provided continuously 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
ATM Data Processing Systems
ATM systems are advanced systems which use sophisticated algorithms to generate and display time and safety critical information from a huge amount of data. They are a necessary tool for safe and efficient Air Traffic Management and include:
- Operational Display Systems;
- Flight Data Processing Systems;
- Surveillance Data Processing Systems;
- Safety Nets and Monitoring Aids Systems;
- Aeronautical Information Management Systems;
- Meteorological Data Processing Systems;
- other IT support systems.
The most complex system we use is the ATM system SkyLine, which is the most important tool for en-route traffic management, approach and tower operations.
Voice Communication Systems
Voice communication continues to be the backbone of efficient and safe Air Traffic Control. Fast and reliable establishment of voice communication between Air Traffic Control Centers and aircraft (air-ground communication), and between the centers in the Republic of Albania and abroad (ground-ground communication), is one of the main prerequisites for providing ATC services.
The architecture of Voice Communication Systems is maximally redundant, secure and manageable, which enables the continuous provision of ATC services, even in the event of a failure of individual components.
The most important Voice Communication Systems are:
- Voice Communication Control Systems;
- Back-up Voice Communication Control Systems;
- VHF and UHF radio systems at multiple locations across the country;
- Voice Recording and Replay Systems.
Voice Communication Control Systems (VCCS) are installed in Tirana ACC. They enable a fast and efficient allocation of all communication resources (A-G and G-G) required by the air traffic controller to establish communication with aircraft and adjacent ATS units.
VHF/UHF radio systems for A-G communication are strategically deployed in several radio stations across the country to ensure quality coverage of the whole airspace in our area of responsibility, and provision of all types of ATC services. Prior to operational use, all VHF radio frequencies for A-G communication are harmonized internationally and registered with the central ICAO global database of frequency assignments. Our responsibility is to assign and register VHF frequencies in the Republic of Albania.
Air Traffic Surveillance Systems
Air traffic surveillance is performed using a variety of surveillance technologies, including radar systems. All of that ensures the safe and efficient provision of Air Traffic Services (ATS), from engine-start and the maneuvering on the ground, to flying in Albanian airspace by applying all international standards and applicable good practices, in full compliance with current European regulations.
Navigation Systems
Ground-based Navigation Systems ensure airspace coverage by appropriate navigation signals, by which pilots and onboard technical systems obtain the required information.
Navigation systems needed for safe operations:
- VOR/DME;
- ILS;
- GNSS.
Meteorological Systems
Weather conditions are a key element to air traffic safety. Weather observing systems measure, collect, process, store and display weather data. There are basic and automated systems. The basic systems are most suitable for use at less busy aerodromes, because they process and display basic weather data. The automated systems consist of meteorological sensors and indicators, communication devices, data collection equipment and devices for data processing and display. Systems of that type process a complete data set of meteorological information, which is displayed to ATCO and meteorologists’ workstations, stored and distributed to local and end users in appropriate formats. Modern meteorological systems increase the safety and efficiency of air operations, thus enabling a better quality of our services.
Aeronautical Information Management Systems
The European Aeronautical Information Services database (EAD) is a centralised reference database of quality-assured aeronautical information that enables users to retrieve and download AIS data in real time.
It provides instant access to the most up-to-date digital aeronautical information from the ECAC areas, from Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs), pre-flight information bulletins (PIBs), briefing facility services and the AIP library.
The EAD is the world’s largest aeronautical information management (AIM) system.
Data Communication Systems
Data communication covers a specific range of communication technologies, such as the Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunications Network/Automated Message Handling System (AFTN/AMHS). To ensure a secure and reliable exchange of ATS messages, it uses the AFTN, i.e. its more modern version, the Aeronautical Message Handling System (AMHS) based on the ITU-T X.400 standard.
Telecommunications and Network Infrastructure
Telecommunications and Network Infrastructure is made up of a range of technologies and systems, enabling reliable communication with our other operating systems and devices. Reliable communication is a key factor for successful operation in every branch of the economy, and in Air Traffic Management it has been raised to an even higher level, primarily in the context of safety.
Electric Power and Air Conditioning Systems
Electric Power and Air Conditioning Systems support all other technical systems in terms of ensuring continuous power supply. They are a part of the infrastructure at all locations and are used to supply electricity and cool all other systems and devices. Electric Power and Air Conditioning Systems include:
- low-voltage power distribution and control systems;
- a large number of automatic diesel generators;
- different types and sizes of Alternating Current (AC) Uninterruptible Power Supply devices;
- Direct Current (DC) Uninterruptible Power Supply systems;
- different types and sizes of air conditioning systems.
