Air Traffic Control Administration System
In any air traffic environment data flowing in and out is normally via the AFTN. This comprises of flight plans and information on flights that the unit is handling, such as slot time requests, delays etc.
Typically, the required information can be entered in ICAO format and UTC and can contain the following information: -
Aircraft registrations are required so that the aircraft type can be retrieved from the database and this information can be used for correct allocation of stands/air-bridges, aeronautical billing on weight of aircraft etc.
Runway used creates statistical information and assists with the planning of runway maintenance.
Actual time of landing and departure can be used for aeronautical billing of parking and can be used to trigger an update to the flight information status.
Number of circuits and approaches are used for aeronautical billing and statistical purposes.
A major point to bear in mind with the way is that the airlines/handling agents are also being updated on estimates of arrival and departure. Therefore it has to be agreed by all the party’s concerned on who will be responsible for the updating the information.
Airlines and handling agents know of new flight information and if both parties’ have the ability to create new flights then a minute difference in time can create two flights instead of the one.
ATC information can be used to create mandatory statistics required by some Government agencies such as the National Air Traffic Service (NATS) who use the information for planning purposes and in some cases for airspace planning and overflight billing.
