Aviation News Item: 00356

8th Sep 2009

Source: ubmaviationnews.com

Air traffic controllers at EUROCONTROL's Maastricht upper area control centre (MUAC) are now able to access aircraft's selected altitude (the level that an aircraft is actually climbing or descending to) and magnetic heading (the actual heading being flown by the aircraft), which are automatically down linked from aircraft operating within their airspace. These two parameters are the first step in the use of secondary surveillance radar (SSR) 'Mode Select' enhanced surveillance (EHS) at MUAC. The selected altitude not only provides an instant check that the aircraft is indeed climbing or descending to the level instructed by the controller, it also provides this information instantaneously to other controllers as required. The availability of the magnetic heading reduces the amount of radio communications between pilots and controllers. The use of the other down linked parameters, such as indicated air speed and Mach number is currently being validated; they are expected to be available in the coming year.

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