Chicago Aviation System—The Future
(CHICAGO) November, 2000 – Imagine having the ability to pinpoint and track an aircraft’s location anywhere on Earth to an accuracy of seven meters. That idea is not just for science fiction movies anymore.
It’s technology like this that could soon be coming to an airport near you and was the topic of discussion at the first of its kind Chicago Aviation Technology Symposium held at O’Hare International Airport. The Chicago Department of Aviation, the Federal Aviation Administration and United Airlines, brought together representatives from The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), airlines, technology providers and aviation industry to foster communication on technologies that will modernize and improve airspace operations.
The three-day Symposium showcased Chicago’s technological initiatives, like the Local Area Augmentation System (LAAS), and to address specific issues affecting airlines, air traffic, safety and efficiency.
With more people flying more frequently and to more destinations than every before in history, the nation’s aviation system is beginning to feel the crunch. This summer, a number of forces contributed to the delays felt nationwide. Severe weather across the nation disrupted service at several hub airports. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, approximately three-quarters of the delays experienced at airports around the nation were caused by weather. Air traffic has grown 2.1 percent at the 55 busiest airports over a year ago. Technology like the LAAS will help in reducing the number of delays experienced throughout the nation’s busiest airports.
Chicago was the first airport system in the world to contract for public use the Local Area Augmentation System (LAAS). With the primary construction of the LAAS already completed at O’Hare, it is now designated as the first site for certification and testing of the LAAS.
The LAAS works in conjunction with the Global Positioning System (GPS), which is a series of 24 satellites placed in orbit. The satellites’ orbits are arranged so that any point on earth at any time is covered by a minimum of four satellites. Information from the LAAS ground facility is added to the information received from the GPS to ensure accuracy. Together, this information will give both pilots and air traffic controllers at the airports more information about an aircraft’s location, performance, the situation of an aircraft and other aircraft in the vicinity.
"The Chicago Airport System continues to work hard to establish strategic partnerships to develop technologies that address delay reduction, efficiency, safety and noise issues. These initiatives will provide our airports with advanced technology to improve the position and navigation of aircrafts, both in the air and on the ground," said Commissioner Thomas R. Walker. "Just as Stage 3 aircraft have had a positive impact on noise, technological developments will help the world aviation system to handle the growing number of passengers as safely, efficiently and quietly as possible."
The O’Hare and Midway LAAS ground facilities are expected to begin testing systems within the next six months. It will eventually be approved for use at airports nationwide.
