Technical Support for Tendering Remote Tower Services

Remote Towers are a key element of the modernisation of air traffic management and enable midsize and small aerodromes to become part of the progressing digitalisation. Replacing the out-of-the-tower window view by a transmitting relevant visual information in real-time to the controller working position allows to disconnect the place of work from the place of control – the aerodrome.

Remote Towers are a key element of the modernisation of air traffic management and enable midsize and small aerodromes to become part of the progressing digitalisation. Replacing the out-of-the-tower window view by a high-end camera-screen system transmitting relevant visual information in real-time to the controller working position allows to disconnect the place of work from the place of control – the aerodrome.

The concept has been developed, implemented and proven over the past decade by a peer group of research institutes and industry partners and is now becoming of more and more interest for users. Especially the chance to combine the services for multiple aerodromes in a so-called remote tower centre enables to bundle resources in one location, with positive effects on economic viability and availability. It is not only about cost savings in an economically strained area – the new HMI environment offers the chance to include enhanced functions and thus improve situational awareness for controllers and rise safety e.g., during times of low visibility.

Moving away from the traditional concept of an aerodrome tower providing AFIS or ATC which often uses decades-old technology towards this new environment let aerodrome operators often face an immense challenge. The regulatory field is still not defined throughout all levels, internationally and nationally, there a numerous providers and manufacturers entering the market, the question how to get started, what is the business case, can my CAA support me, and – what about the costs? The questions along this process strongly depend on whether the aerodrome operator holds their own ANSP certificate on contracted an ANSP. 

airsight can help aerodromes and ANSPs to successfully initiate remote tower projects, e.g. by supporting tendering processes and implementation. airsight is providing technical support to the operators of the aerodromes of Braunschweig-Wolfsburg and Emden to select via an Europe-wide tender procedure the right partner for developing and operating a new Remote Tower Center and as well as developing it further for the next decade. 

As a first part of this project, airsight developed the tender’s technical and operational requirements for the future remote tower centre, together with an evaluation method to enable a fair and transparent appraisal of the potential tenderer bids.

This remote tower project is motivated by a funding from the State of Lower Saxony. They benefit from airsight’s long time experience in both airport operations and air traffic management to ensure a proper tendering process and smooth implementation process.

Do you plan to implement remote tower services at your aerodrome? Contact us for more information!