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.
The ATC systems of the CAD have been operating round-the-clock smoothly and reliably for providing air traffic services to aircraft flying within Hong Kong Flight Information Region (HKFIR). To ensure secure 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 CAD will continue to ensure the smooth and reliable operation of ATC systems and stands ready to cope with the recovery and growth in air traffic once the impact of the pandemic on aviation has subsided.
A CAD delegation, consisting of electronics engineers and flight procedure designers, attended the third meeting of ICAO Asia/Pacific GBAS/SBAS Implementation Task Force held from 27 to 28 September 2021 through video conference to share our experience in the assignment of frequency for GBAS Very High Frequency Data Broadcast with the coordination of ICAO APAC Office, and the safety and risk assessment processes adopted in the successful trial of GBAS at the HKIA, with a view to facilitating the regional implementation of the GBAS/SBAS.
The Deputy Director-General of Civil Aviation (1), Richard Wu, chaired the Twenty Fifth Meeting of the CNS SG (CNS SG/25) of ICAO APANPIRG held through video conference from 18 to 22 October 2021 with a delegation of the CAD. Mr Richard Wu was elected as the chairperson of the CNS SG for the second term.
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 the CNS development. The meeting reviewed achievements and tasks of the Sub-group since its last meeting and the outcomes of other contributory bodies under the CNS SG. The CAD delegation of electronics engineers and the ATC operational personnel shared in the meeting the experience of the trial inspection on outstation facilities by drones, implementation of the new CNS safeguarding equipment surfaces to cope with Three-runway System (3RS) of the HKIA, as well as the update of the regional flight inspection guidance materials.
In accordance with the ICAO's ASBU framework and the priorities stipulated in the Global Air Navigation Plan (GANP) and Seamless ANS Plan for the 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 on impact of the pandemic on aviation industry.
The AESD values the importance of safety in the provision of air traffic engineering services. For the purpose of further enhancing the communication and cooperation with Maintenance Service Providers (MSPs) on safety management matters, a dedicated CAD-MSP SMS Review Meeting was established in 2021 by the AESD to strengthen communication and closely monitor the MSPs' safety performance.
The AESD continued to upkeep its safety performance through monitoring Safety Performance Indicators and Safety Performance Targets for the CNS equipment, as well as conducting regular safety audits, workshops and training in supporting various operation and maintenance and project works.
To sustain the department's competence in handling the ever-changing cyber security incidents, the AESD took the lead to coordinate with the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau (CSTCB) of the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) to conduct a joint drill in April 2021 to strengthen the coordination and response capabilities of both parties.
Furthermore, AESD officers represented the CAD to attend the ICAO Asia/Pacific Regional Cybersecurity Webinar on 14 June 2021 to share our experience in protecting the digitised air traffic services against cyber threats.
The CAD has been dedicated to achieve zero cyber incident by developing a series of cyber security strategies, including building new capacity, enhancing security control, performing cyber security assessments, conducting drills with stakeholders, as well as promoting cyber security awareness among staff. In December 2021, the CAD received an award of the Government and Public Bodies Sector - Management Category in the "Cyber Security Professionals Awards 2021", which recognised the CAD's professional work in cyber security field.
In accordance with the ICAO requirement, routine flight checks 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 the pandemic, the AESD successfully coordinated with various stakeholders including the Flight Inspection Centre of Civil Aviation Administration of China, Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) and Hong Kong Business Aviation Centre to conduct the commissioning flight check for the Third Runway at the HKIA from March to April 2022 with satisfactory result.
To comply with the roadmap in the ICAO's GANP, the CAD has formulated a plan to progressively trial and implement various new technologies for satellite-based CNS/ATM systems and services. The Pre-Departure Clearance Two-way Datalink Service, Electronic Flight Strip System, Arrival Manager System and Air Traffic Services Inter-facility Data Communication have been integrated smoothly with the ATMS and working satisfactorily since its full commissioning. The latest development of other new technologies and systems is highlighted below:
The existing A-SMGCS has been effective in providing enhanced surveillance and safety alert functions of aircraft and vehicle movements at the airport. To upgrade the performance, the CAD introduced a new A-SMGCS with intensified resilience and additional sensors to expand the surveillance to cover the Third Runway. Phase One of the new system is planned for commissioning in 2022.
New SMRs are installed at top of new tower structures distributed at various locations of the HKIA for surveillance of aircraft and vehicles on the runways and taxiways. They provide surveillance information to the A-SMGCS to enable the air traffic controllers to maintain a smooth ground traffic during all weather conditions.
With the commissioning of terrestrial-based ADS-B system, the safety and operational efficiency of the ATC services have been enhanced. To go further, the CAD has successfully completed the integration of Space-based ADS-B data into the ATC systems in 2021, which has boosted the department's long-ranged surveillance capability and facilitated provision of air traffic flow management service.
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. Drawing on the experience of successful trial 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.
The New ILS that consists of a 32-element ultra-wide aperture Localiser (LOC) antenna array, M-Type 3-element Glide Path (GP) antenna system and bi-directional Distance Measurement Equipment (DME), has been installed at each end of the Third Runway to provide precision approach lateral and vertical guidance navigational signals for aircraft landing on the runway. The systems are planned for commissioning in 2022.
In 2021, the AESD has completed the enhancement of A-CDM Gateway to support provision of more comprehensive air traffic data to AAHK, so as to facilitate CAD and AAHK to more efficiently cope with challenges arising from the 3RS operation. As always, the CAD continues to fully support and provide advice on technical and operation aspects for enhancing HKIA's overall operational efficiency. To assist the steering of regional A-CDM development, the CAD kept taking an active role in the relevant ICAO Regional Task Force meetings to share our 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 A-CDM and ATFM for the region.
Following the successful trial of digital tower technologies at the HKIA, the CAD has commenced implementation of full-scale DTFs at the HKIA in 2021 in accordance with the latest international standards and guidance.
The DTFs are equipped with ultra-high resolution surveillance cameras with video recognition technology to provide real-time digitised panoramic views of the airport. Aircraft and vehicles images shown on those panoramic views are augmented with corresponding flight information. Artificial intelligence is applied to the digitised video to provide additional safety alert functions, such as early detection of conflicting situation or intrusion to airfield restricted areas. Phase 1 of the DTFs is planned for commissioning in 2022 to further enhance the overall efficiency and situation awareness of air traffic controllers.
To cope with the increasing demand for tower controllers' training arising from 3RS operation, with the joint effort of the AESD and ATMD, a new Control Tower Simulator (CTS) was installed at the CAD Headquarters and the existing CTS was upgraded in October 2021. The new CTS, equipped with state-of-the-art projection and image generation technologies, is one of the most advanced CTS deployments worldwide.
The ICAO has formulated an action for its member states to expedite the CRV implementation for the region pursuant to their cost benefit analysis. In support of this initiative, the CAD has commenced the migration work of its existing circuits to the CRV progressively with a view to improving efficiency in aeronautical communication with other Area Control Centres (ACCs). The migration to CRV voice or data communication with Manila, Fukuoka and Beijing ACCs has been completed by the CAD, while that with Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh ACCs is planned for implementation in 2022.
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.
The CAD always supports the ICAO in the promotion and implementation of SWIM in the APAC region. To showcase the benefits of SWIM, within 2021, the CAD along with other pioneering ANSPs, continued the preparation of the SWIM-based ATFM operational trial to perform the ATFM operation through real-time exchange of SWIM information.
The CAD has taken a leading role to steer cooperation with pioneering ANSPs and industry partners in the region to jointly promote the sharing of aeronautical surveillance data under the SWIM environment with a view to enhancing air traffic control safety and operational efficiency. In 2021, the AESD has led a newly established dedicated study group under the ICAO APAC to conduct a feasibility study, proof-of-concept and trials of sharing aeronautical surveillance data through SWIM, which can serve as a reference model for future implementation.
Upon the implementation of Energy Optimisation System (EOS) using rule-base algorithm for the chiller plant of the centralised air conditioning system serving CAD Headquarters since 2015, the CAD went further in 2021 to enhance the EOS with artificial intelligence algorithm, which adopts intelligent neural network algorithm, based on input parameters including outdoor temperature and relative humidity, as well as inlet and outlet temperatures of chillers and cooling towers to calculate the optimal parameters for operating the chillers, water pumps and cooling towers to achieve further energy saving.
A smart lighting system has been installed at the library of the CAD Headquarters for a small-scale trial application. The system offers various control methods to optimise energy saving. The experience gained can provide insight on how such technologies can be applied in other venues to achieve energy saving.
The carpark management system had been in use since the opening of the CAD Headquarters in 2012. With increasing carpark usage and aging hardware, the system was upgraded in September 2021 with enhanced features, such as license plate recognition and auto matching with carpark database, real-time calculation and display of available parking spaces, reservation for guests' parking, and provision of carpark usage statistics etc. All these aim to provide carpark users with enhanced experience and enable administrative staff to analyse data more efficiently for optimising carpark utilisation.
The CAD has commenced refurbishment works for the building and facilities of off-airport outstations in phases to tie in with the replacement plans of various ANS equipment. In 2021, the CAD has commenced open tendering for engaging consultants to provide detailed design and quantity surveying services for the refurbishment works. The consultants are expected to be on board in 2022.
The Information Technology Management Unit has carried on supporting the day-to-day operations of various CAD divisions through effective implementation of new Information Technology initiatives and the e-Government strategy.
The Electronic Portal for Small Unmanned Aircraft (eSUA) was launched by the CAD in mid 2022. To ensure its smooth operation, technical trial with stakeholders of the aviation community was commenced in January 2022. The dedicated platform for small unmanned aircraft enables members of the public to register for their small unmanned aircraft and obtain safety information for complying with the new legislation.
On the application of big data analytics, visual analytics reporting dashboards for go-around flights and flight movements were set up on the established CAD Big Data Analytics Platform in May 2021. Air traffic management visual analytics dashboard prototypes were also completed in March 2022. Through these dashboards, divisional colleagues may uncover the hidden patterns from the big data and find inspiration of professional insights.