HILKA BIRNS / CAPE TOWN
South Africa is to install a R228 million ($33 million) air traffic system that will comply with International Civil Aviation Organisation standards on completion in 2004. This follows the already completed $23.25 million radar replacement and improvement project.
The South African Advanced Air Traffic System (SAAATS) is being implemented by Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS), the country's sole provider of air traffic services. The highlights include:
a complete restructuring of South African airspace; separate disaster recovery systems at Johannesburg and Cape Town. Either can cope alone; the installation of Thales ATM Eurocat X software in ATC centres. the implementation of datalink technology to enable routine information and instructions to be exchanged by controller/pilot datalink communication.SAAATS will also enable a central airspace management unit to be set up, which will ultimately provide full flow management across the country.
Source: Flight International
