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). A technical team comprising the CAD electronics engineers, system contractors and CAD maintenance service provider continued to oversee the operations and maintenance of the systems, including the radar in the CAD outstations to provide full surveillance coverage for aircraft operating inside the HKFIR.
The CAD will continue to ensure the smooth and reliable operation of ATC systems and our readiness at all times to cope with the recovery and growth in air traffic after the pandemic is alleviated.
With the easing of the pandemic, overseas ANSPs contacted the AESD proactively to arrange early visits to the CAD to exchange views in air navigation service (ANS) technology innovation. The Chief Executive Officer of the ANSP of New Zealand led its management team to visit the CAD on 17 March 2023 to exchange views on implementation of digital tower facilities and other topics of mutual interest. Also, the Managing Director and a technical expert of the ANSP of Germany visited the CAD on 23 March 2023 to share experience in the latest ANS innovation development.
Leading a delegation of the CAD, the Deputy Director-General of Civil Aviation (1), Mr Richard Wu, chaired the Twenty Sixth Meeting of the CNS SG (CNS SG/26) of ICAO APANPIRG as chairperson through video conference from 5 to 9 September 2022.
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 previous 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 provision of digital tower and apron management system to support safe and efficient operation of the HKIA, the assurance of cyber resilience in ANS to ensure reliable operation of the HKIA and support to its expansion project, as well as the update of the regional flight inspection guidance materials.
The ICAO Asia and Pacific (APAC) Regional Surveillance Strategy advocates sharing of surveillance data through System Wide Information Management (SWIM) to support the ICAO Global Air Navigation Plan and Aviation System Block Upgrades (ASBU). The AESD took lead to work with ICAO APAC Regional Office to host the Third Meeting of the Surveillance Study Group (SURSG/3) in Hong Kong. The Meeting was held during 22-24 March 2023 at the CAD Headquarters with over 100 participants, both online and offline, from civil aviation authorities/ANSPs of 14 states/administrations, two international organisations, and three industry partners. The Meeting not only demonstrated the CAD's proactive response to the Government's promotion of the post pandemic recovery of the aviation industry in Hong Kong and also fostered the regional development on the SWIM-based sharing of surveillance data.
The Director-General of Civil Aviation, Mr Victor Liu, led a delegation comprising electronics engineers and the ATC operational personnel to attend the CANSO Executive Summit and Airspace World 2023 in Geneva, Switzerland from 6 to 10 March 2023 to gain an insight into the latest development and innovative technologies of the industry.
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.
The AESD values the importance of safety in the provision of air navigation service. The safety performance of Maintenance Service Providers was reviewed and monitored through regular SMS Review Meetings, including the Safety Trend, Safety Performance Indicators and Safety Performance Targets for the CNS/Air Traffic Management System (ATMS) equipment, to ensure the established safety management actions and procedures were implemented as planned, and the safety targets were all met. Besides, the AESD continued to upkeep its good safety performance through conducting regular safety audits, workshops and training in supporting various systems operation and maintenance and project works.
Cyber security is one of the most critical matters in the global aviation industry. The ICAO has set up the Cybersecurity Panel (CYSECP) to support the implementation of related work. A cyber security expert of the AESD was appointed by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) to serve as a technical advisor to support the Chinese delegation in the work of the ICAO CYSECP. This also benefits the AESD personnel to keep abreast of the latest international development in this arena.
Moreover, to cope with the ever-changing cyber security landscape, a cyber security consultant was engaged to conduct an independent assessment on the ATMS before the commissioning of the North Runway. The assessment confirmed that the AESD has adopted proper measures to safeguard the digitised air navigation service against cyber threats in achieving a zero-incident cyber security record.
Furthermore, to enhance the CAD officers' professional knowledge in cyber security, a specialist consultant was engaged to conduct a thematic workshop to broaden the CAD officers' knowledge in various aspects of cyber security, including the ICAO cyber security requirements, trends in cyber security technology, attack and defence methodologies, incident handling and guidelines for cybersecurity operations.
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.
In face of the challenge brought by the strong rebound in air traffic after the pandemic, the AESD successfully coordinated with various stakeholders including the Flight Inspection Center of the CAAC, Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) and Hong Kong Business Aviation Centre to conduct the routine flight check for the navigation aids at the HKIA in November 2022 with satisfactory results.
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 phase one project of the new A-SMGCS was completed and put into service to provide comprehensive surveillance and safety alert functions of aircraft and ground vehicle movements at the HKIA to support Interim Two-runway System (I-2RS) operations. The new system is equipped with additional sensors to expand the surveillance coverage to the North Runway and associated taxiways. The phase two project is planned for commissioning in 2024 to support the 3RS operations.
New SMRs are positioned at the top of new tower structures in various locations of the HKIA for surveillance of aircraft and vehicles on the runways and taxiways. They provide surveillance information for 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. In addition, the use of Space-based ADS-B data in ATC systems continued to boost 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. The CAD has been actively participating in the ICAO APAC GBAS/Spaced Space Augmentation System (SBAS) Implementation Task Force meetings and International GBAS Working Group meetings to share our experience at the HKIA and keep abreast of the latest development of the GBAS technology in order to prepare for future GBAS deployment at the HKIA.
The New ILS 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). The New ILS at each end of the North Runway was commissioned to provide precision approach lateral and vertical guidance navigational signals for aircraft landing on the runway. For the New ILS at each end of the South Runway, installation has been completed and is planned for commissioning upon completion of flight check in 2023 to replace the legacy one.
The AESD completed the enhancement of A-CDM Gateway to support provision of more comprehensive air traffic data to AAHK, so as to facilitate the 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.
The new DTF is equipped with ultra-high resolution surveillance cameras to provide real-time digitised panoramic views of the airport. With adoption of digitised video analytics, movements of aircraft and ground vehicles are tracked in real time manner and displayed with corresponding flight information tags. Use of artificial intelligence technology provides additional safety alert functions, such as early detection of conflicting situation or intrusion into airfield restricted areas. Phase one of the new DTF was officially commissioned to enhance the overall efficiency and situation awareness of air traffic controllers. Phase two of the new DTF is underway with the target for commissioning in 2024 to support the 3RS operations.
To enhance training for tower controllers for efficient rolling out of the I-2RS and 3RS operations, the AESD, in joint efforts with the Air Traffic Management Division, installed a new Control Tower Simulator (CTS) at the CAD Headquarters and upgraded the existing CTS. The new CTS, equipped with state-of-the-art projection and image generation technologies, is one of the most advanced CTS deployments worldwide. During the year, the AESD continued to update the CTS database to simulate the latest physical environment of the HKIA to provide the best training facilities for tower controllers.
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, Beijing and Bangkok ACCs has been completed by the CAD, with Ho Chi Minh ACC and Macau planned for implementation in 2024.
The ASMS at the Air Traffic Control Centre has been implemented for enhancing the operational efficiency in handling aircraft's final approach operation under enhanced wake turbulence separation scheme and for improving consistency in delivering arrival traffic spacing. With the completion of system acceptance testing, flight check and relevant safety assessment in January 2023, the ASMS is now under trial operation and getting ready for transition into full operation.
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. In 2022, to showcase the benefits of SWIM, 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 been steering collaboration amongst 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 the ATC safety and operational efficiency. In 2022, the AESD has led the ICAO APAC SURSG to complete a feasibility study report on the regional sharing of aeronautical surveillance data through SWIM. A proof-of-concept test and trial are planned to be conducted in 2024 to serve as a reference model for future SWIM implementation.
During the year, the CAD worked with the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department to enhance the performance of the existing Energy Optimisation System (EOS) for chiller plants with adoption of artificial intelligence technology in the EOS to achieve an additional saving of about 3% of electricity consumption by the chiller plants.
Besides, the AESD proactively explored and implemented various energy saving and emission reduction measures in conjunction with other CAD divisions, such as using energy efficient lighting and air conditioning units, optimising operating hours of lighting, air conditioning and lifts, and controlling office lighting with occupancy sensors, etc., to sustain our efforts to reduce energy consumption and carbon emission.
During the year, the CAD commenced refurbishment works of the existing E-ATCC expansion area. The refurbishment works is in smooth progress, targeting for completion in 2024. Upon completion of the refurbishment works, the CAD will set up new controller working positions and a new ATFM Centre in the expansion area to cope with the anticipated increase in air traffic in the post pandemic period and after the 3RS in full operation.
The CAD 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. During the year, the CAD engaged architectural and quantity surveying consultants in April 2022 through open tender to take forward detailed design and quantity surveying services for various refurbishment works. The first phase of the refurbishment works of off-airport outstations has initiated tendering exercise in March 2023 and the detailed design and tender preparation works for the other phases are underway.
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 initiatives, e-Government strategy and upgrade of IT equipment and network infrastructure.
Apart from day-to-day IT support for CAD officers and maintenance of IT systems and infrastructures, the ITMU has been assisting the department in setting up the Electronic Recordkeeping System (ERKS) to gradually replace the conventional paper-based filing system, thereby implementing the Government's Electronic Information Management (EIM) Strategy.
The CAD launched an electronic portal for small unmanned aircraft (SUA) in May 2022 for members of the public to register their SUA and obtain safety information for complying with the relevant legislation. Software upgrade for enhancing system features and efficiency of daily system administration was also completed in February 2023.
To promote the application of big data analytics, the ITMU has set up 3 dimensional/4 dimensional (3D/4D) visual analytics tool on the established CAD Big Data Analytics Platform in March 2023 to facilitate big data analytics from 3D/4D perspectives in enriching the analytic outcomes.