DFS counts on European AIS Database

In future, the German air navigation service provider DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung will use the European AIS Database (EAD) to provide its aeronautical information services (AIS). The EAD was commissioned by the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation EUROCONTROL and developed by FREQUENTIS. It provides static and dynamic aeronautical information.

The EAD has been a database focusing on NOTAM, Aeronautical Information Publications and static data services. Since 2008, however, the applications have become more and more advanced by adding the functions of a pilot briefing system which will mature to the extent required by the Aeronautical Information Service. The pilot briefing system makes it possible to create and transmit NOTAM, to process flight plans and to retrieve Preflight Information Bulletins.

In addition, the coming release is expected to meet the required standards and latest parameters set by the EU regulation concerning aeronautical data quality within the framework of the Single European Sky. The EAD will also feature further functionalities, web services and a workflow management system.

“The future of state-of-the-art aeronautical information management in Europe depends on close cooperation between the air navigation service providers," says Pierre Hermann, head of AIM at DFS. The air navigation service providers – and, thus, European air traffic – will benefit from the jointly used infrastructure in terms of technology and economy.  

"The enhanced functions offer an optimum solution for the aeronautical information services provided in our AIS Centre", says Hermann. "We estimate cost savings of several million euro because we no longer have to operate and maintain our own system."

Up to now, DFS has operated its own pilot briefing system which will, however, reach the end of its life cycle in 2015. In 2016, the EAD is to supersede the old system.

Since 2003, DFS has been connected to the European AIS Database via the central EAD System Interface.

The EAD has been operational for ten years. During this time, it has been continuously updated and expanded. Currently, 155 customers from 63 countries use the database. Since 2011, the number of flightplan-related messages processed by the system has increased  by 45 percent annually. Each month it processes approximately 60,000 notices to airmen (NOTAM).