SA airspace to be watched from space
South African airspace will‚ by 2018‚ be watched by the “world’s first space-based global air traffic surveillance system”. An agreement has been signed with Aireon LLC which will give Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) “100% air traffic surveillance of the Johannesburg Flight Information Region (FIR) and the Cape Town FIR‚ which cover approximately 10% of the world’s airspace”.“This will be done through Aireon’s satellite-based Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) service‚” a statement said.This system will‚ the ATNS said‚ “enable real-time visibility throughout their airspace”.“Increased visibility‚ coupled with real-time air traffic surveillance‚ improves both the safety and efficiency of air travel and gives air traffic control the ability to optimize airspace with more accurate‚ predicable data‚” it added.ATNS CEO Thabani Mthiyane said: “Much of Africa is currently without any air traffic surveillance. Aireon’s service will give us visibility into many regions‚ allowing us to facilitate seamless transitions between air traffic control providers.“This will be achieved without any additional ground infrastructure and utilising currently-mandated on-board avionics.“Once Aireon’s service is operational in 2018‚ our increased area of surveillance will allow us to work with our African neighbours to improve safety and air traffic efficiency across this region of the world.”..
There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.
From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.
For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.
Already subscribed? Sign in below.
Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.