FREQUENTIS wins the 2016 IFATCA Technical Award

The International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Associations (IFATCA) awarded Frequentis the 2016 Technical Award for the company’s “smartSTRIPS” electronic flight strips system deployed at Hong Kong airport. Hand-over took place during the opening plenary & ceremony at the 55th IFATCA Annual Conference in Las Vegas (USA) on 14 March 2016.

The International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Associations (IFATCA) annually honours the best technical solutions for upholding the highest standards of professionalism among air traffic controllers. The 2016 Technical Award goes to Frequentis for its electronic flight strips system “smartSTRIPS” implemented at Hong Kong airport. The official award presentation took place during the opening ceremony of the 55th IFATCA Annual Conference in Las Vegas with more than 500 attendees representing air traffic controllers and management from more than hundred countries.

The Frequentis electronic flight strips system “smartSTRIPS” was the first to replace previous paper strips, combining similar good usability with electronic data connection. Deployed on five continents, the company’s solution covers installations from two to more than ninety controller working positions. The Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department (HKCAD) replaced their paper strips to keep pace with rapid developments. Now it is possible to automate data retrieval, minimise manual controller tasks, and to integrate data from various systems into one common user interface.

“As we were introducing a new technology, it was important to be able to continually customise and modify the platform. The ability to modify protocols and behaviours as traffic patterns and movement rates change is invaluable. Electronic flight strips have made considerable silent coordination between controllers possible, and the ability to customise the platform has increased the scope for this to occur. When controllers understand the tools and behaviours, they can adapt them directly to managing workload and usability according to operational experience. This gives users system ownership and makes the technology quite dynamic rather than static”, says Mike O’Neill from the Hong Kong Air Traffic Controllers’ Associations, praising the Frequentis solution.

“Receiving this award is an honour for Frequentis. Having been an air traffic controller in my previous job as well, I really know what challenges they have to cope with. By introducing automation features like digital departure clearance or silent coordination, our system makes their daily work much easier”, says Thomas Fränzl, New Business Development Manager for ATM Automation at Frequentis, proudly.

“Operational feedback from controllers in various parts of the world indicated that the Frequentis systems provide a highly reliable and user-friendly experience, thereby enhancing safety and efficiency”, said Ben Gorrie, the Chairman of IFATCA’s Technical & Operational Committee, praising Frequentis’ electronic flight strips system in his introductory speech.

Presenting the award, from left to right: Alfred Vlasek, Thomas Fränzl, Ben Gorrie.