03/03-10   -   Press releases

ATC Global: New in-house developments by DFS

At ATC Global, stand H 208, the German air navigation service provider DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH will be showing several of its new developments and solutions for the air traffic services community. A newly built tower console will be at the stand plus the further enhanced radar data processing system Phoenix and its new flight data processing component, as well as a new position logging system for the electronic recording of working times and responsibilities of controllers. Apart from these systems, the arrival manager 4D Planner and other solutions – all in-house developments – will be presented.

DFS is one of the largest air navigation service providers in Europe and develops several systems and solutions in-house using its long-standing expertise in air traffic management matters. With around three million movements every year, Germany manages one of the busiest and most complex airspaces in the world. “The future of air navigation services will depend on organisations looking closely at efficiency and cost-effectiveness and taking a holistic approach to solving these challenges. Using appropriate concepts, solutions and new developments is decisive in this process", says Stefan Lentz, Director of the business unit Aeronautical Solutions, which supports other organisations in air traffic management matters. For more than 17 years, DFS has been providing consultancy services, training and solutions around the world.

New tower console
The newly built tower console equipped with the latest automation systems will be the eye-catcher at the stand. DFS designed the console for its new tower in Frankfurt, which will be in operation by 2011 together with the fourth runway. The ergonomic and flexible console can also easily be installed in any other small or large tower. Different air traffic management components can be integrated according to individual needs.

Radar data processing system
DFS has integrated the radar data processing system Phoenix into the console. The system is in use at several towers throughout Germany and worldwide. The Brazilian air navigation service organisation, for example, has just recently acquired the system. Now, Phoenix not only displays the air situation but also the ground situation, so that the aerodrome controller can easily "zoom in" from the air to the ground. The safety net functions Short Term Conflict Alert, Area Intrusion Alert and Minimum Safe Altitude Warning are integral parts of Phoenix. Weather data are also processed and visualised on the radar screen.

Tower flight data processing system
The flight data processing system is a new development by DFS. Controllers can edit flight plan data of arrivals and departures, process and correlate it to tracks, and write with a pen directly on the screen on the electronic flight progress strips. The different pieces of information are displayed in different colours to ensure greater clarity. Bird migration can also be shown.

Electronic position log
For the first time, DFS presents its new Position Logging System (PoLo) at the stand. It is used to electronically record working times and responsibilities of air traffic controllers. The controllers use their company ID cards to log in. PoLo can show the consolidation or division of airspaces when used in en-route control, and it can also be used at towers. It gives supervisors a complete overview of all activities. Authorisations, ratings and training times can be documented in a user-friendly manner. The data can be retrieved at any time, for example in the case of an incident investigation. PoLo has already been introduced at all en-route control centres in Germany as well as at the DFS working positions in the Eurocontrol centre in Maastricht. PoLo is also ready for implementation at the towers of the international airports in Germany.

Arrival manager with modular structure
Within the last year, the 4D Planner arrival management system has undergone several changes: Now it can be even more easily integrated into existing environments due to its generic and modular structure. Customer-specific needs can be taken into account, ensuring the delivery of an efficient and cost-effective solution. The 4D Planner allows more movements to be processed at one time, reduces costs and the impact on the environment. Early results in Germany showed a reduction in the average arrival time of approximately 60 seconds. Controllers can also optimally manage arrivals and departures by using the 4D Planner together with departure managers, for example with the system by the supplier delair Air Traffic Systems GmbH. Apart from Frankfurt and Munich, the two largest international hubs in Germany, the 4D Planner will be implemented at Berlin Brandenburg International Airport, and from 2011, the Brazilian air navigation services organisation will also use the German-made arrival manager at various locations.


DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH, the German air navigation service provider, is a State-owned company under private law and has 5,600 employees. DFS ensures the safe and punctual flow of air traffic over Germany. Staff coordinate up to 10,000 aircraft movements in German airspace every day, and nearly three million movements every year. This makes Germany the country with the highest traffic volume in Europe. DFS operates control centres in Langen, Bremen, Karlsruhe and Munich. In addition, DFS is represented in the Eurocontrol Centre in Maastricht, the Netherlands, and in the control towers of the 16 international German airports. DFS provides training and consultancy services around the world and develops and sells air traffic control, surveillance and navigation systems. The company´s portfolio also comprises flight-relevant data, aeronautical publications and aeronautical information services. DFS has the following business units: Control Centre, Tower, Aeronautical Solutions and Aeronautical Information Management.