'Internet in the sky' cleared for take-off

Air traffic control centres in Europe are in the final stages of building an 'Internet in the sky'.

The Aeronautical Telecommunications Network (ATN) will replace local radio communications between pilot and ground control, with an international network of satellite links, digital radio and VHF.

"It's a value-added, safety-critical Internet," said Martin Adams, project manager of ATN Communications Infrastructure at EuroControl, which oversees most of Europe's airspace.

He added that radio links are insufficient for modern needs. "Once the plane goes out of the line of sight, communication is lost," he told Silicon.com. "But the ATN standard will enable contact to be retained between pilots and air traffic control centres worldwide."

Rob Mead, a trials manager at EuroControl, added: "We'll keep voice for the urgent communications, but the data links will be useful during congested periods and for routine stuff like clearance," he said.

EuroControl was a driving force in getting the ATN technology standardised, with financial backing from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and a consortium of 11 North American airlines.

So far, ten European air traffic control centres support ATN, and seven airlines, including SAS and Lufthansa, are running trial flights. The airborne Internet won't be completed until 2005, but full implementation is due to start next year.

Adams said: "We have a series of systems that work, but we need to re-engineer them to ensure more stringent quality standards."

The software is being developed by Toulouse-based ACI, and is on schedule for a February 2000 deadline.

ACI's software is suitable for both ground control and the pilot end of the airborne Internet. ACI general manager, Forrest Colliver, said: "In addition to our contract with EuroControl, we are in active negotiations with avionics manufacturers, AlliedSignalAerospace, Rockwell-Collins, Sexton Avionique and Honeywell."