Air Traffic Engineering Services
The Air Traffic Engineering Services Division (AESD) is responsible for the design, planning, coordination, provision, commissioning, enhancement and maintenance of air traffic control (ATC) systems as well as communications, navigation and surveillance (CNS) facilities.
Smooth and Reliable operation of ATC Systems
To ensure smooth operation of the Air Traffic Management System (ATMS), which was the centrepiece of the ATC Systems, an ATMS technical team comprising the CAD electronics engineers, ATMS contractor and CAD maintenance service provider continued to oversee the deployment of software builds and system adaptation updates.
The ATC systems of the CAD keep operating round-the-clock reliably to provide air traffic services and are always ready to handle the recovery and growth in air traffic once the impact of the pandemic on aviation has subsided.
Experience Sharing with Overseas Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs)
(i) International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Asia/Pacific (APAC) Ground-Based Augmentation System / Space-Based Augmentation System (GBAS/SBAS) Implementation Task Force
A CAD delegation, consisting of electronics engineers and flight procedure designers, attended the 1st and 2nd Meetings of ICAO Asia/Pacific GBAS/SBAS Implementation Task Force held on 23 - 24 June 2020 and 9 – 10 September 2020 respectively to share our experience in the conduct of the GBAS trial at the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) with a view to facilitating the regional implementation of the GBAS/SBAS.
(ii) Meeting of the Communications, Navigation and Surveillance Sub-group (CNS SG) of ICAO Asia/Pacific Air Navigation Planning and Implementation Regional Group (APANPIRG)
The Deputy Director-General of Civil Aviation, Mr Richard Wu, led a CAD delegation to attend and chaired the Twenty Fourth Meeting of the CNS SG (CNS SG/24) of ICAO APANPIRG held through video conference from 30 November to 4 December 2020.
The CNS SG plays an important role in facilitating the provision of seamless air navigation services (ANS) in Member States with the deployment of advanced CNS technologies in a harmonised manner and in shaping the future direction of CNS development. The meeting reviewed achievements and tasks of the Sub-group since its last meeting and the outcomes of other contributory bodies under CNS SG. The CAD delegation of electronics engineers and ATC operational personnel shared with the meeting the flight inspection guidance materials, CAD’s proposal to make use of System-wide Information Management platform for sharing of surveillance data for the region, as well as safeguarding of Instrument Landing System in three-dimensional manner.
Aviation System Block Upgrades (ASBU)
In accordance with the ICAO’s ASBU framework and the priorities stipulated in the Seamless ANS Plan for APAC region, the CAD continued to collaborate with stakeholders in the aviation industry to develop strategies for phased implementation of the ASBU modules in Hong Kong through the ASBU Planning and Implementation Committee, as well as review the latest implementation status and steer relevant planning and implementation in Hong Kong, with due consideration for impacts of the pandemic on aviation industry. The CAD also provided updates of the ASBU implementation in Hong Kong to ICAO to facilitate the Seamless ATM Plan implementation in APAC region.
Safety Management System Certificate 2021 - 2025
The AESD has successfully renewed the Safety Management System (SMS) Certificate in December 2020 for another five years from 2021 to 2025 after rounds of SMS regulatory audit being conducted by the Air Traffic Management Standards Office (ATMSO) in November 2020. The renewal signified that the SMS of the AESD has been implemented in a stable and mature manner with continuous improvement for supporting the CNS and ATM systems for current and on-going system implementation. The AESD will make headway in maintaining the highest safety standards in operational and maintenance as well as project implementation.
Cyber Security
Acknowledging the importance of robust cyber security to sustain aviation safety and security to our air traffic services, the AESD has made continuous development of a cyber security programme to tie with the latest ICAO cyber security strategy. The first edition of the “Security Plan for Air Traffic Services (ATS)” was developed by the AESD in December 2020 to stipulate both cyber security and physical security measures for the ATS systems housed in the CAD Headquarters, ATC Complex and CAD outstations.
The CAD was invited to participate in the first meeting of the ICAO Asia/Pacific Air Traffic Management Automation System Task Force held in October 2020 through video conference. At the meeting, the CAD delegation shared its knowledge and experience in guarding against the increasingly digitised air traffic services against cyber threats.
Flight Check
In accordance with ICAO requirement, routine flight check for navigational aids at the HKIA are conducted twice a year, which usually take place in May and November during non-peak traffic seasons. Start of flight check in early mornings before air traffic building up is crucial to minimising potential impact on both the HKIA and ATC operations.
Despite the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, the routine flight checks in May and November 2020 were successfully completed in co-operation with various stakeholders including the Flight Inspection Centre (FIC) of Civil Aviation Administration of China, Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) and Hong Kong Business Aviation Centre.
Leveraging on the experience in flight check over the years, the CAD took lead to work with the experts of the FIC and other organisations in the region to develop the first “Flight Inspection Guidance Materials” for the Asia Pacific Region, which was endorsed in the CNS SG/24 Meeting in December 2020.
Satellite-based CNS/ATM Systems
To comply with the ICAO Global Air Navigation Plan (GANP), the CAD has formulated an implementation plan and progressively put various satellite-based CNS/ATM systems and services in place. The Pre-Departure Clearance Two-way Datalink Service, Electronic Flight Strip System and Arrival Manager System have been integrated with the ATMS and working satisfactorily since the full commissioning of the ATC systems. The latest development of the other systems is highlighted below:
(i) Air Traffic Services Inter-facility Data Communication (AIDC)
The AIDC, being one of the key functions integrated in the ATMS, enables electronic transfer of air traffic control of aircraft between Hong Kong and Sanya, Guangzhou, Taipei and Manila Area Control Centres. The use of the AIDC has heightened flight safety and also operational efficiency.
(ii) Advanced Surface Movement Guidance and Control System (A-SMGCS)
The A-SMGCS provides enhanced surveillance of aircraft and vehicle movements on the airfield and offers conflict and runway incursion alerting functions for greater ATC safety and efficiency in the airport. To cope with the increasing airfield ground movements and various new infrastructure developments at the HKIA, the AESD has engaged the equipment supplier to reinforce the safety alerts and the Government Flying Service (GFS) to conduct aircraft tests to verify the reinforced safety alerts.
(iii) Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast System (ADS-B)
With the commissioning of terrestrial-based ADS-B system within the Hong Kong Flight Information Region (HKFIR), the safety and efficiency of the ATC services have been enhanced. To further strengthen the availability of air traffic surveillance within the HKFIR as well as provision of long-range surveillance for Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM), the AESD has kicked start evaluation of space-based ADS-B data, which are planned to be used after satisfactory completion of all the relevant evaluations and safety risk assessments.
(iv) GBAS
The GBAS makes use of the Global Navigation Satellite System for supporting satellite-based precision approach and landing of aircraft. The system provides approach path data, corrections and integrity information to equipped aircraft landing at the airport. The AESD is preparing the technical requirements for the GBAS and monitoring aircraft equipage to formulate a plan for the GBAS Landing System deployment at the HKIA.
(v) Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM)
The CAD has started enhancement of the A-CDM Gateway in 2020 to provide the A-CDM with more comprehensive air traffic data. To assist the steering of regional A-CDM development, the CAD kept taking an active role in the ICAO Regional Task Force meetings to share experience at the HKIA and to advocate the development of the regional roadmap. The CAD will continue to proactively participate in and promote the interoperability between regional A-CDM and the integration and development of the ATFM.
(vi) Digital Tower (DT)
The CAD has all along been exploring advanced and reliable technologies to ensure the provision of safe and efficient ATC services. The DT facilities (DTF) made use of high-resolution surveillance cameras with video recognition technology to provide digitised video panoramic and hotspot views of the HKIA. Aircraft and vehicles images showed on those panoramic and hotspot views were augmented with relevant information.
Following the successful trial of the DTF, the CAD commenced implementation of the DTF at the HKIA in early 2021 to lift the overall efficiency and situation awareness of air traffic controllers at the HKIA.
To publicise the application of the latest aviation technologies, the CAD displayed a new exhibit showcasing a simulated DTF at the CAD Aviation Education Path.
(vii) Asia Pacific Common Regional Virtual Private Network (CRV)
ICAO formulated an action for Member States to expedite the CRV implementation for the region by the end of 2020 pursuant to their cost benefit analysis. In support of this initiative, the CAD launched the CRV in two phases with a view to improving efficiency of the Inter Area Speech Circuit (IASC) and Air Traffic Services Message Handling System (AMHS) services with other Area Control Centres. The first phase was embarking upon the CRV-Voice supporting the IASC services between Hong Kong and Manila, which had been put into operation since August 2018. The second phase was the CRV-Data to support the AMHS connection between Hong Kong and neighbouring areas. After completion of the relevant technical trials, safety reviews, and pre-operational trial, the AMHS connections between Hong Kong and Manila, Hong Kong and Taipei, as well as Hong Kong and Fukuoka, were migrated to the CRV in May 2019, May 2020 and September 2020 respectively.
System Wide Information Management (SWIM)
SWIM is an integral part of ICAO GANP and covers a number of the ASBU modules derived from the GANP. It aims to promote the exchange of aviation information (flight, meteorological and aeronautical) on a standardised and common platform among aviation stakeholders.
(i) Participation in SWIM Operational Trial on ATFM
The CAD always supports ICAO in the promotion and implementation of SWIM in APAC region. In 2020, along with other pioneering ANSPs, the CAD was preparing a SWIM-based ATFM operational trial to perform the ATFM operational flow through real-time exchange of SWIM information. This event is currently planned for 2022.
(ii) Promoting Regional Sharing of Surveillance Data through SWIM
The CAD is committed to fully co-operation with regional ANSPs to promote the exchange of surveillance data by SWIM with a view to enhancing the efficiency of the ATC operation. At the 4th Meeting of SWIM Task Force held via video conference in November 2020, the CAD presented a joint paper with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore proposing to share surveillance data by SWIM for enriching surveillance coverage for APAC region, and the idea was well received by the participants.
Smart Energy and Green Measures in CAD Headquarters
The CAD has won the Excellent Class and Good Glass of the Innovation Award in the HKIA Carbon Reduction Award Scheme 2020 organised by the AAHK, recognising the department’s accomplishment in energy saving and environmental protection.
The Excellent Class of the Innovation Award was granted to the retro-commissioning of water-cooled chiller system at the CAD Headquarters by the Energy Optimisation System (EOS). The computer program of the EOS enhanced and adjusted the operating parameters of the air-conditioning and ventilation systems in achieving load reduction and energy saving.
Furthermore, the project of applying solar window films to the curtain wall fenestration at the main entrance of the CAD Headquarters helped reduce loading on air-conditioning system, and won the Good Class of the Innovation Award.
Information Technology Management
The Information Technology Management Unit (ITMU) has carried on supporting the day-to-day operations of various CAD divisions through effective implementation of new Information Technology (IT) initiatives and the e-Government strategy.
The project for the replacement of Aviation Personnel Licensing Information System commenced in January 2021. The new system will serve as an integrated platform to improve efficiency for the administration and issuance of licences for personnel including flight crew, aircraft maintenance staff and air traffic controllers, and related medical certificates.
The setup of CAD Big Data Analytics Platform was completed in February 2021. This cross-divisional data analytics infrastructure will support more effective data analysis and data-driven decision making in the department.