Equipment Upgrades are an ongoing process at PJIAE’s Air Traffic Control
Department. “As with all electronic equipment and systems, the equipment
in use are in need of periodical upgrades and since it is required by
International standards to provide quality service to the users, PJIA
ATS is no different and ensures that it abides by the international
Quality Assurance Program laid down in the regulations.
Mr. Jan Brown, Director of PJIAE’s Air Traffic Services Division
stressed recently, that next to Safety and security priorities the
quality of service is seen as one of the basic priorities in Air Traffic
Services at PJIA.
Completed in November 2003 and in operation since March 2004, PJIAE’s
air traffic facility is outfitted with state of the art equipment and is
seen as one of the leading modern facilities in the region (including
Puerto Rico) The equipment in use has been provided through a turn Key
project by Raytheon Canada LTD systems. RCL is one of the leading
suppliers of sophisticated electronics equipment in the world.
Mr. Brown reported that among the upgrades that should be online soon,
is the installation of ground to ground dedicated voice and data links
between the PJIA ATC Facility and the French airports of St. Barths and
Grand Case, St. Martin.
These two airports fall within the area of responsibility of PJIA ATS.
Positive and flight advisory services are provided to these airports and
the communication is being done via commercial lines at present.
Also in line for an upgrade will be the RCAG (remote communication Air
Ground) for the Air Traffic services in San Juan, Puerto Rico, formerly
located in Beacon Hill.
The purpose of this upgrade is to enhance the communication
possibilities between Puerto Rico and aircraft on trans-Atlantic flights
(NE sector) that experience poor or no communication.
Mr. Brown said upgrading PJIAE ATS service is crucial, not only from the
standpoint of following international aviation regulations, but also
from the perspective of customer service. “Companies (airlines) pay for
the ATS service that we provide, so it has to be optimal,” he said.
He said that meanwhile PJIAE is well on target with implementing
measures that will increase performance based navigations (PBM).
“International regulations stipulate that the service you provide has to
be of high quality level. You are supposed to –for instance- help pilots
and airlines to fly more direct routes, land quicker and burn less
fuel,” he explained. It has to do with economics and environmental
enhancement by the operators.
Mr. Brown explained that a number of possibilities exist, such as
satellite based navigation, charts, radar service etc and that
conventional ground base navigational aids will be phased out
eventually.
Mr. Brown: “That will help lessen the carbon footprint. The less time
aircraft spend in the air, the less pollution they cause.” He was proud
to say that PJIAE is well ahead in planning as far as performance based
navigation is concerned, “because we foresaw that the International
Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) would introduce it as a requirement
in the very near future.”
