R-SYS enables ANSPs to handle flight plans easier, safer and more efficient by using CFSP API

LVNL (Dutch ANSP) has made it possible for commercial flight plan providers to submit VFR flight plans more easily and safely by using R-SYS developed CFSP API. This allows LVNL to process flight plans more quickly and some of this work by the LVNL Flight Service Centre (responsible for FPL handling at LVNL) is further automated. LVNL is the first air traffic control organization in Europe to do this, in collaboration with supplier R-SYS (a subsidiary of ERA).

One of the tasks of the Flight Service Centre of LVNL is to check and approve general aviation VFR flight plans, for instance for private pilots or business & helicopter operators. The FSC also provides information about everything that takes place in Dutch airspace. Until recently, commercial flight plan providers provided all flight plans by email. Through a link between the various systems, flight plan providers can now submit VFR flight plans to the same system, where pilots can also submit a flight plan directly and where all important information about the airspace can be found; on the website Homebriefing.nl. This therefore benefits the commercial providers, pilots and LVNL itself. The process is also safer because the chance of human error is reduced.

Collaboration with Commercial Flight Plan Service Providers
LVNL came up with the concept for this new system connection in collaboration with supplier R-SYS. This concept was then tested with the three Commercial Flight Plan Service Providers (CFSPs) with which LVNL is currently working. The system connection with the first commercial flight plan provider (EuroFPL) is live and in use since November 2023. It is expected that two other CFSPs will join in the first half of 2024.

Peak load management at Flight Service Centre
Team manager of the FSC is happy with the result. “This is a great step in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of this process for the FSC. The FSC has a very high peak load and the new system connection helps to manage this. This improves mutual communication, reduces sensitivity to errors, flight plans are received faster and can also be processed faster.”

LVNL project leader adds: “The service level is increasing because flight plans can be processed faster and it becomes safer because email is no longer used in the operational process. We are taking a step forward in technology and cybersecurity.”

About flight plans

A flight plan is a document that pilots submit to LVNL before they fly. Flight plans give us insight into which aircraft will fly at what time. This way, our air traffic control can better regulate crowds. Submitting a flight plan is mandatory when you want to take off or land at a controlled airport or cross a national border. This must be done at least one hour before departure. Even if you want to fly through controlled airspace during your flight, submitting a flight plan is mandatory. This way we prevent unsafe situations from arising with other air traffic.

About CFSP API

CFSP API is part of R-SYS IXO family of ATM/UTM solutions aimed at ANSPs. It enables exchange FPL messages between CFSPs and ARO in modern and fully automated way. FPLs filled in by pilots using mobile app provided to them by CFSP are send by CFSP using CFSP API to the IXO system which presents them to ARO staff for further processing. CFSP then via the same API receives information about acceptance or rejection of FPL by ARO and can display this information via it's mobile app to the pilot.