AVIONICS.qxp_Finance 18/05/2022 10:38 Page 1
AVIONICS
Airspace Design Updates for Bizjet Operators Ken Elliott reviews current airspace design, specifically as it applies to Bizjet operators.
T
he world has a governing body for aerospace, including responsibility for both its design and integration given the varying air traffic management responsibilities across different regions. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is headquartered in Montreal, Canada and has 193 member nations, with a 39-member Governing Council. Each member state further maintains its own airspace and may invoke variations to the ICAO rules and standards. Some collective states, such as Europe, have a governing entity. In the case of Europe, that governing entity is the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), but even within its collective authority, EASA members can adopt regional applications to general airspace guidance. Aviation is coordinated in Europe via Eurocontrol, a separate body and Europe’s link to ICAO on airspace issues. EASA focuses on regulation and safety, while Eurocontrol coordinates and manages air traffic. EASA and the US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) are highly regarded and mostly responsible for the initiation of airspace guidance that is later adopted elsewhere, including by ICAO. Other noteworthy agencies that are very active representing ICAO member states are: • Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) – United Kingdom • Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) – Australia • Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) • Ministry of Civil Aviation (MCA) – India • National Civil Aviation Agency (NCAA) – Brazil.
98 Vol 26 Issue 6 2022 AVBUYER MAGAZINE
Many former colony nations founded their civil aviation authorities on the system of the former colonial ruler, but although still under influence, these authorities function independently and rely heavily on ICAO rules and guidance for their own airspace.
Technologies to Accommodate Increasing Number of Airspace Users
Other Airspace Users: Airspace design is driven by the growth and route demands of its users, as well as the need to accommodate emerging technologies. Because of transitioning through, and sharing of, airspace, operators of business aircraft should remain well informed of the progress in emerging aircraft technologies. Subject to world order and economics over the next several years, everyone can expect an exponential introduction of both unmanned and urban airspace that will be a challenge for pilots to stay informed. Growth of Traditional Aircraft Users: Growth is a significant factor today as earning power grows, and demand for more aircraft seats increases. Route demands are mostly driven by efficiency. Operators want to save time and fuel, while providing the least disruption to their passengers, so they request the most efficient routing for each leg of the flight. Naturally most aircraft of similar performance capability, request optimum altitudes and navigation routing, creating popular air corridors that must be managed. www.AVBUYER.com
