EMMA KELLY / PERTH
Routes would mean quicker flights and less work for pilots
In a project intended to lead to gate-to-gate user preferred trajectories (UPTs) on Australian domestic and international services within 15 years, Australia is to introduce user preferred routes (UPRs) in en route airspace across the Tasman Sea in the next year. The project is part of Australia's revised air traffic management (ATM) strategic plan announced by transport minister John Anderson at the Canberra-based Safe-skies conference in late September.
The plan has been developed by the Australian Strategic ATM Group (ASTRA) which comprises ATM stakeholders and government agencies. It lays out a broad ATM strategy - at the heart of which is the replacement of fixed air routes with UPTs. The strategies are designed to develop and implement numerous changes, including: a concept for conflict management to support UPTs, which would replace rigid separation standards; flexible use airspace; national demand/capacity balancing to optimise traffic flow; an integrated decision support information network to provide high-quality operational data to users; an ATM performance measurement and reporting system; and a security definition and assurance model.
A five-stage implementation plan is proposed, starting with UPRs in the Tasman Sea en route airspace for aircraft with satellite navigation and datalink. This will be followed by the creation of international flex tracks across Australian airspace and UPRs for international operations to and from Australia. Stage four will see the introduction of UPRs in Australian flight information regions (FIR), followed by the final stage of UPTs in the Australian FIR.
ASTRA says UPTs will reduce environmental impact, flight times, and controller and pilot workload. It will also improve airspace utilisation and airport capacity, enhance safety, and provide operational flexibility.
Source: Flight International
