Conditions for an airport operator to make use of an advanced surface movement guidance and control system (A-SMGCS) for the provision of apron management service

Masterarbeit , 2010 , 96 Seiten , Note: 1,3

Ingenieurwissenschaften - Luft- und Raumfahrttechnik

With the amendment of the European Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 by the new Regulation (EC) No 1108/2009 (into force since 14 December 2009), the area of competency of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is progressively extended towards a “total system approach” including ATM, ANS as well as airport safety and interoperability. This new regulation allows airport operators to continue with providing apron management service – but they have to “declare their capability“ for offering this service within the certification process of the aerodrome.

An advanced surface movement guidance and control system is one important tool for providing this service at large and complex airports. With the implementation of an advanced surface movement guidance and control system (A-SMGCS), the airport contributes to the precise surface guidance of aircraft to and from a runway while maintaining safe distance to each other as well as to obstacles and vehicles. The system is aimed to assist the ground controllers in managing the traffic situation on the movement area in all weather conditions. Due to advanced surveillance technology, the ground movement controllers are able to continue operations with an A-SMGCS even in low visibility conditions (e.g. due to fog) and maintaining nearly the same capacity as with no visibility restrictions.

The focus of this master thesis is not on the operational and technical details of the system, which are profoundly analyzed and elaborated on by R&D projects, e.g. by the German Aerospace Center (DLR), European research projects and the industry. However, the second chapter will provide those details required to fully understand the legal and administrative aspects of an A-SMGCS.

If ANSP are using a system like A- SMGCS under safety aspects, they have to undergo a licensing process according to SES-regulations and are licenced by the national supervisory authority. The airport itself is licenced by the appropriate approving authority of the federal state. For Germany’s biggest airport, Frankfurt International Airport, it’s the ministry of transport of Hesse, the HMWVL. This ministry licences the airport as such as well as the safe provision of apron management service including the use of procedures and technical systems like A-SMGCS.

The conditions for this approval are subject of the Master's Thesis.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• 1. Introduction
  • 1.1. Statement of the problem
  • 1.2. Approach
• 2. Elaboration on A-SMGCS
  • 2.1. Development towards A-SMGCS
  • 2.2. A-SMGCS Benefits
  • 2.3. A-SMGCS functional criteria
    • 2.3.1. Surveillance
    • 2.3.2. Control
    • 2.3.3. Routing/Planning
    • 2.3.4. Guidance
  • 2.4. The Four Levels of Implementation
    • 2.4.1. A-SMGCS Level 1 & 2
    • 2.4.2. A-SMGCS Level 3 & 4
    • 2.4.3. Further documents
• 3. Relevance for the ANSP
  • 3.1. Legal Basis: ICAO
  • 3.2. Legal Basis: European Union
  • 3.3. SES regulation and requirements for licensing
    • 3.3.1. EC No 549/2004: the framework Regulation
    • 3.3.2. EC No 550/2004: the service provision Regulation
    • 3.3.3. EC No 551/2004: the airspace Regulation
    • 3.3.4. EC No 552/2004: the interoperability Regulation
    • 3.3.5. EC No 1070/2009: amendments to SES I Legislative Package
  • 3.4. National Supervisory Authority in Germany
  • 3.5. Requirements for certification
• 4. Relevance for the airport operator
  • 4.1. Legal Basis ICAO: Apron Management Services
  • 4.2. Legal Basis in Europe: SES regulations
    • 4.2.1. Remit of EASA
    • 4.2.2. EC No 216/2008: common rules in the field of civil aviation
    • 4.2.3. EC No 1108/2009: Aerodromes, ATM, ANS, ATC
  • 4.3. Regulatory structure in Germany
    • 4.3.1. Political Hierarchy: The Federalism in Germany
    • 4.3.2. German Aviation Law: LuftVG
    • 4.3.3. German Aviation Regulation: LuftVZO
    • 4.3.4. Chart: Political hierarchy of aviation law in Germany
• 5. New challenges for the approval authority
  • 5.1. The way to a “Declaration of Capability”
  • 5.2. Experts position
    • 5.2.1. Questionnaire
    • 5.2.2. Responses
• 6. Recommendation for a “Declaration of Capability”
  • 6.1. Personal Opinion
  • 6.2. Particular situation at Frankfurt Airport
• 7. Conclusion
• 8. Fields for further study

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This Master's Thesis explores the conditions under which an airport operator can utilize an advanced surface movement guidance and control system (A-SMGCS) to provide apron management service. The thesis focuses on the legal framework, regulations, and practical considerations surrounding the implementation and approval of A-SMGCS systems at airports. Key themes explored in this work include:

• The development and benefits of A-SMGCS technology
• The legal and regulatory framework for A-SMGCS implementation, both at the international (ICAO) and European levels
• The specific requirements for airport operators to obtain approval for the use of A-SMGCS
• The role of national supervisory authorities in the licensing and certification process
• The challenges and opportunities presented by the implementation of A-SMGCS in the context of apron management services

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Chapter 1: Introduction: This chapter introduces the problem statement, outlining the need to understand the conditions for airport operators to utilize A-SMGCS for apron management service. It also describes the approach taken in the thesis.
• Chapter 2: Elaboration on A-SMGCS: This chapter provides an in-depth overview of A-SMGCS technology, including its development, benefits, functional criteria, and different levels of implementation.
• Chapter 3: Relevance for the ANSP: This chapter examines the legal and regulatory framework for A-SMGCS implementation from the perspective of Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs). It analyzes relevant regulations at the international (ICAO) and European levels, including the European Common Aviation Area (SES) framework.
• Chapter 4: Relevance for the airport operator: This chapter explores the legal and regulatory framework for A-SMGCS implementation from the perspective of airport operators. It focuses on the requirements for apron management services, analyzing relevant regulations at the international (ICAO) and European levels, as well as the specific regulatory structure in Germany.
• Chapter 5: New challenges for the approval authority: This chapter examines the new challenges faced by approval authorities in the context of A-SMGCS implementation, particularly the "Declaration of Capability" requirement. It includes an analysis of expert opinions and responses to a questionnaire.
• Chapter 6: Recommendation for a “Declaration of Capability”: This chapter provides recommendations for a "Declaration of Capability" for airport operators seeking to utilize A-SMGCS. It includes a personal opinion and considerations specific to Frankfurt Airport.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The core focus of this Master's Thesis revolves around A-SMGCS technology, its implementation, and the regulatory framework surrounding its use for apron management services. Key terms include: advanced surface movement guidance and control system (A-SMGCS), apron management, airport operator, Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP), European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), European Common Aviation Area (SES), ICAO, certification, licensing, "Declaration of Capability", and regulatory structure.

• Hochschule: Technische Hochschule Wildau, ehem. Technische Fachhochschule Wildau (WIT Wildau Institute of Technology)
• Veranstaltung: Aviation Management
• Note: 1,3
• Autor: Diplom-Staatswissenschaftler (Univ.), Master of Aviation Management Sascha Hissler (Autor:in)
• Erscheinungsjahr: 2010
• Seiten: 96
• Katalognummer: V168238
• ISBN (eBook): 9783640852444
• ISBN (Buch): 9783640852819
• Sprache: Englisch
• Schlagworte: A-SMGCS, SMGCS, Airport, ATM, ATC, Apron Management Service, European Regulation, Declaration of Capability, Aviation Law, EASA, Total System Approach, Single European Sky, Surface Movement Radar