In this exercise, DLR and UkSATSE are collaborating to further investigate the Flight Centric ATC (FCA) concept, by using the upper Ukrainian airspace as an example. Over flight level 275, a total of 21 sectors, which are currently controlled by four area control centres, are merged and designated as one single Flight Centric ATC airspace. In this airspace, air traffic controllers are working in single person operations supported by various FCA-specific air traffic control tools (measuring tool, filtering, probing, conflict detection and resolution and short-term conflict alert).
In November 2024 the exercise has carried out a real-time simulation using DLR’s TrafficSim and Skynet. A total of ten Ukrainian air traffic controllers took part in the exercise to further validate the Flight Centric ATC concept in both nominal and non-nominal (e.g. adverse meteorological conditions) medium complexity air traffic scenarios.
The objective of the exercise was to assess the impact of the introduction of the Flight Centric ATC concept on operational and cost efficiency, environment, human performance and safety and to demonstrate the feasibility of civil military coordination procedures. Further objectives were the validation of a new radar display and adapted FCA-specific air traffic control tools for use in large Flight Centric ATC airspaces, the investigation of an automatic dynamic allocation with the help of an allocation centre and the assessment of enhanced CPDLC using complex messages and messages in advanced that have been specifically adapted for use in Flight Centric ATC.
In order to be able to make well-founded statements on the set objectives following the validation, the feedback of the participating air traffic controllers was recorded by means of questionnaires (e.g. Instantaneous Self-Assessment, Situational Awareness for SHAPE) and debriefings, and data on track miles, flight time, fuel consumption, occurring conflicts, etc. were logged during the real-time simulation.
Findings from the validations and outcomes of complementary workshops are intended to contribute to raising the Flight Centric ATC concept to the desired technical readiness level 6.