The first surface situational awareness systems for airports in the USA have been installed at Indianapolis International Airport and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas.
The uAvionix systems employ an Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) service called FlightLine, providing controllers with real-time, precise depictions of aircraft and vehicles on the airport’s surface to improve situational awareness and reducing the risk of runway incursions
The systems were commissioned after the successful completion of the Service Acceptance Test (SAT) by uAvionix and partner Capital Sciences, enabling ATC at Indianapolis and Austin-Bergstrom airports to begin operational use of the systems at the end of this month.
Christian Ramsey, chief commercial officer for aviation safety technology company uAvionix said, “This milestone marks the first approvals under the FAA’s Surface Awareness Initiative (SAI), part of a broader effort to enhance runway safety across the nation.”
Delivery of the FlightLine systems to the airports were completed and accepted within a rapid 90-day timeframe through with close collaboration with the FAA, National Air Traffic Control Association (NATCA), Indianapolis Airport Authority, and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
Each airport also installed several of uAvionix’s VTU-20 ADS-B Vehicle Movement Area Transmitters (VMATs) on airport vehicles. VTU-20 is an FAA approved system that allows vehicles that operate on runways and taxiways to be electronically seen by the tower and aircraft equipped with ADS-B In technologies, reducing the risk of runway incursions.
Following the completion of the projects at Indianapolis and Austin-Bergstrom Airports, uAvionix will continue working with the FAA to expand the capability to other airports in the USA.
Key benefits of the uAvionix surface situational awareness systems include:
- Enhanced real-time tracking of aircraft and vehicles on the airfield.
- Improved operational efficiency and safety in all weather conditions.
- Reduced risk of runway incursions through timely and accurate data.