Chennai ATC to control south sky

Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) in Chennai now have the entire South Indian region on their radar screens. Thanks to a highly advanced integrated radar technology that became accessible from Thursday last, flight movements above 26,000-46,000 feet will mainly be coordinated. Airliners can look forward to better economic flying levels, advanced safety surveillance and less carbon in the skies. More flights can be operated as the system expands air space capacity while reducing carbon emissions. A recent study by INSPIRE (Indian Ocean Strategic Partnership to Reduce Emissions) says that in 2011, integrated radar networks and better navigational technologies can help save about 2.47 million litres of fuel and cut down about 6,850 tonnes of carbon dioxide in the skies. Chennai, among the four flight information centres in the country besides Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata, will now have Hyderabad, Mangalore, Thiruvananthapuram and Bangalore under its control. The high frequency radio conversations between ATCs and pilots from different area control centres can easily be coordinated from the Chennai Flight Information Center using a VHF Cross Coupling technology. The system will help pilots switch on to the respective radar stations with a remote system at the Chennai ATC. The system also helps ensure desired flight levels for pilots. By flying at the desired height, a navigator can ensure an economic level of flying — reducing fuel consumption and carbon emission. The new air traffic control technology, AUTOTRACIII Plus, was supplied and installed by US-based Raytheon, integrating various radars in the specified region.