Thales secure information management systems boost digital transformation across Six Central American Countries, Aruba & Cyprus
Key points
- TopSky-AIM and TopSky-AMHS are being used operationally by COCESNA. Similar systems have also been deployed across Cyprus and Aruba
- This secure information management system will allow COCESNA member states to share information and documentation needed to improve efficiency and reduce workload
- This deployment will forward COCESNA’s objective of becoming a AIM regional HUB and help them comply with latest ICAO international Standards
Thales announces three separate contracts to aid in the digital transformation for premier Air Navigation Service Provider customers. The Central American Air Navigation Services Corporation (COCESNA) is operational with TopSky-AIM Aeronautical Information Management system, complete with TopSky-AMHS Aeronautical Messaging Handling System – only 12 months after contract award. The flexible, dynamic information system will support the airspace of six countries in Central America. Air Navigation Services Aruba (ANSA) is also operational with TopSky-AMHS in addition to TopSky-AIS Aeronautical Information Services with the deployments going live only nine months after contract award. Further, the Air Navigation Services of the Department of Civil Aviation of Cyprus (DCAC) became operational with TopSky-AMHS at the end of last year.
For operators on the digital forefront, like COCESNA, the AIM and AMHS system is a secure information management system that acts as a true accelerator by incorporating information into one single database for data sharing. With the single, centralized database, TopSky-AIXM, all COCESNA members (Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua), can access information, documents and data in real time. This is a marked imprvement from the current legacy systems and procedures which will significantly enhance efficiency and reduce workload across all en route and approach operations1. In addition to the database, the AIM and AMHS systems provide access to the static and dynamic aeronautical data required by operators, including aeronautical procedures, charts, publications and notices, all fully available to all operators at the right time2.
This deployment is a significant step in achieving COCESNA’s objective to become a true AIM Regional Hub, helping them comply with the latest international standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in transitioning from the legacy Aeronautical Information System (AIS) to a full AIM system and providing foundation to offer services to other countries in the Caribbean / Central America zone.
Also focused on ensuring efficiency and safe air travel, Air Navigation Services Aruba (ANSA) deployed TopSky-AMHS with TopSky-AIS to help ensure the highest level of service for its citizens and its visitors. Tourism in Aruba peaks at intervals throughout the year, making the immediate, secure and efficient flow of information most critical. Thales TopSky solutions will assist Aruba in providing safe, efficient air traffic management in both routine and peak periods.
Lastly, Cyprus, another high tourism destination, became operational with TopSky-AMHS at the end of last year. The Air Navigation Services of the Department of Civil Aviation of Cyprus (DCAC) deployed TopSky-AMHS to address their significant annual traffic growth. Thales TopSky-AMHS will streamline and increase the speed of the dissemination of information to the more than 70 airlines operating flights to and from the island as well as support coordination with the six neighboring flight information regions (FIRs) managing the busy traffic routes between Europe and MID region.
1. The system delivered to COCESNA includes a complete aeronautical information management system (TopSky-AIM) including a centralized AIXM5.1 database and shared by the operators of the 6 members of COCESNA. Thus COCESNA complies with the latest international standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in its transition from AIS to AIM. The system has already demonstrated several practical gains in the daily operation of COCESNA and member countries including :
• Management of redundant FPL flight plans: 20% of FPL messages received by COCESNA are duplicate messages, now the new system processes them automatically without the need for operator action.
• Automated management of the COCESNA eAIP as a sum of the national eAIPs: the changes made by the operators of the member countries in their own eAIP are automatically reported in the global eAIP of COCESNA.
2. In addition to the centralized database (TOPSKY-AIXM), TOPSKY-AIM software design includes aeronauticalprocedures (GéoTITAN), design of aeronautical charts (AIS-GIS Charting), management of electronic aeronautical publications eAIP (TopSky- EAIP) and automatic message processing and management Notice To Air Men (NOTAM), Meteorological, flight plans and information bulletins pre-flight PIB (TopSky-AIS). All these services are available from any part of COCESNA's corporate network in the 6 member countries.
2. In addition to the centralized database (TopSky-AIXM), TopSky-AIM software supports:
•design of aeronautical procedures (GéoTITAN from Thales partner CGX)
• design of aeronautical charts (AIS-GIS Charting from Thales partner CGX)
• management of electronic aeronautical publications eAIP (TopSky- EAIP)
• automatic message processing and management of Notice To Air Men (NOTAM), meteorological information, flight plans and information bulletins pre-flight PIB (TopSky-AIS). All these services are available from any part of COCESNA's corporate network in the 6 member countries.
The advantages of the Thales’s AIXM 5.1 integrated solution are:
• Integrity of flight procedures, charts and eAIP in the latest model AIXM5.1
• Collaborative eAIP with workflow management ("workflow")
• Traceability management of AIM changes
• Adjustable solution suitable for large regions (several ANSP), National ANSP or airports.