Santa Safe In Australian Skies In 2009

Santa Safe in Australian Skies in 2009

When Santa's sleigh enters Australian airspace on Christmas Eve, his progress through our skies will be monitored by air traffic controllers using the latest state-of-the-art surveillance equipment.

Although sworn to secrecy, Airservices Australia's controllers will know exactly where Santa is at any given moment. His sleigh will be equipped with Automatic Dependent Broadcast (ADS-B) technology which broadcasts his call-sign, position, altitude, velocity and other data, twice every second.

The accuracy of the information displayed on controllers' screens will allow them to keep other aircraft well clear of Santa's flight-path and give him priority as he carries out his special deliveries.

Airservices provides air traffic control services over 11 per cent of the world's airspace and is one of the first air navigation service providers in the world to adopt ADS-B.

ADS-B Project Manager Donna Willis said Airservices technical teams had completed the installation of 28 ADS-B ground stations nationwide in 2009. Once linked by secure communications to existing radar sites they will provide radar-like coverage over continental Australia for the first time ever.

"Our controllers are really looking forward to expanding their use of this new technology. It's a very exciting Christmas present for the aviation industry and a world first," Ms Willis said.

"ADS-B is a huge advance in our surveillance capability and provides significant safety benefits. Not only does it provide surveillance over remote areas of outback Australia that previously had no coverage at all but we are also getting early warning of international flights coming over our northern airspace boundary. This helps enormously in setting up an orderly flow into major capital city hubs.

"Once duplicated communication links are completed, ADS-B will allow reduced aircraft separation standards to help minimise delays and improve efficiency across our whole air traffic control network.

"These efficiencies will have a significant environmental benefit by enabling airlines to reduce aircraft fuel burn and consequent CO2 emissions thus aiding the fight against climate change," Ms Willis said.

More than 1100 aircraft, ranging from single-engined flying-school trainers to international airliners such as the latest Airbus A380, are already equipped and approved to operate with ADS-B in Australian airspace along with Santa's sleigh.

More details about Santa's 2009 flight can be found on Airservices' special children's website at www.airservicesaustralia.com/Santa09
For media enquiries/interviews call 02 6257 2828 or email [email protected]

Airservices Australia is a Government owned organisation responsible for the safe and efficient management of air traffic across 11 per cent of the world's air space. Services include air traffic control, airspace management, aeronautical information, radar communications, radio navigation aids, aviation maintenance and engineering, environmental management and aviation rescue and firefighting.


SOURCE: Airservices Australia