HungaroControl establishes an airspace simulation centre

The objective of the venture is to become the centre of R+D and simulation activities supporting air navigation and to promote the professional cooperation of the states in the region in order to make the forthcoming integration of the union successful.

HungaroControl will establish a regional, training, simulation and R+D institution in the spring. Real-time simulations essential for developing air space management and air traffic control as well as for continuous training of ATC personnel could be performed here. The centre will allow working out new air traffic solutions (e.g. new ATM tools and procedures), testing and approving them. Apart from its traditional air traffic controlling activities, HungaroControl Pte. Ltd. Co has its significant training, simulation and R+D traditions, and experienced training personnel. Its spare capacity and significant projects provide the infrastructural background for developing the planned joint centre.

Basically, the new venture takes over the place and role of EUROCONTROLs CRDS (CEATS Research, Development and Simulation Centre) closed last year. Kornél Szepessy, the president CEO of HungaroControl and Bo Redeborn, the director of EUROCONTROL, signed the contract on 31 January, according to which HungaroControl buys the world standard equipment of the former CRDS centre. During the event, the Ministry of National Development was represented by Máté Gergely, the head of air traffic division.

The rocketing growth of international air traffic and integration launched within the framework of Single European Sky raise a growing demand on the international market of research, development and training supporting air navigation while capacity capable of those is hardly available", said Kornél Szepessy, CEO of HungaroControl, about the background of the venture.
 
The purchase of the set of up-to-date equipment necessary for launching the new centre amounted to 35.5 million HUF. The venture financed from the companys own resources will start its test operation in May with new operational personnel, on new premises and with extended scope of services. According to the plans, from this summer on, it will be available either for real simulations, software testing or training.

The purpose of the centre is to incite the cooperation of air traffic control services of the Central-European Functional Airspace Block Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Hungary - to be established within the framework of Single European Sky. The venture provides the world standard technology needed for the joint work, the international knowledge base and ample spare capacity.

HungaroControl:
HungaroControl Hungarian Air Navigation Services Private Limited Company is a state-run company assigned to provide air traffic services in the Hungarian airspace and training for air traffic controlling personnel. Through its world standard technology, top-ranking developments and services, it is one of the most precise, most efficient and most reliable service provider, active regional initiator, cooperating partner in the integration executed within the framework of Single European Sky.

Single European Sky:
The Single European Sky is the initiative of European Commission with the aim of integrating the system of European air traffic control, enhancing its international competitiveness, improving safety and efficiency, optimizing capacity, reducing operational costs of aircraft as well as ensuring sustainability of air traffic. In the framework of the integration programme, the work of national air navigation services will be harmonized, and the airspace presently divided by national borders will be integrated into bigger regional units, the so-called functional airspace blocks (FAB). Hungary will be a member of Central-European Functional Airspace Block (FAB CE) together with Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia, Slovenia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Eurocontrol:
It is a European inter-governmental organisation established for the development of safe air traffic. At present, it has 39 member states and the European Commission is a member too. Its purpose is, besides improving the safety of air traffic, to introduce a performance-centred attitude and to reduce environmental damages induced by air traffic. It is making efforts to develop Single European Sky with its partners as well as a homogeneous pan-European air traffic control system (ATM).