Air traffic was disrupted due to a technical fault in the air traffic control system at Delhi Airport.
More than 300 flights were delayed at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) on Friday. The reason for this was a technical fault in the air traffic control (ATC) system of the airport. Due to the fault, the planes could not get the schedule. Media reports have claimed that there has been a glitch in ATC’s Automatic Message Switch System (AMSS). This system provides information for scheduling the aircraft. That means when to land the plane and when to take-off. It has been claimed that at present the planes are being scheduled manually.
This has had a direct impact on flights to and from Delhi. Come, in this pretext, what is Automatic Message Switch System, what is it? Connection to the air traffic control system, how it works, how information is obtained from it and how planes are scheduled?
What is Automatic Message Switch System?
Automatic Message Switch System (AMSS) It is a hi-tech computerized message switching system. It works to send and receive security related messages between one airport and another. Many types of information are shared through this. Like- plans of arrival and departure of planes. AMSS Due to a glitch in the ATC operators’ screens, data transmission stopped. After this, efforts were started to get the flight data manually by all the operators, due to which the planes were delayed in taking off. AMSS It is a part of the Air Traffic Control System (ATC).
Why is air traffic control system important?
If understood in simple language, it can be called the traffic management system of the sky. The air traffic control system controls the movement of aircraft in the air and on the ground to ensure that they remain safe and that collisions do not occur. This ensures that the aircraft take off on time, in the right direction and at the right altitude. He should get equal opportunity.
It is impossible to manage airspace manually, so controllers rely on the Air Traffic Control Administration System (AIA). It is a digital platform connected to radar, flight data and communication equipment.
How does ATC work?
The air traffic control (ATC) system collects data from radar feeds, flight planning, transponders, and weather sensors. After their processing a map is prepared. Helps in taking decisions using algorithms. ATC also helps in deciding the flight route and whether the weather is suitable for flying or not. Apart from this, its job is to record and monitor flight data along with airspace management.
ATC’s real time radar keeps showing the movement of all the aircraft. It is connected to the tools of voice and digital communication. These tools help in coordinating with the pilot. It has an alert system and when the aircraft breaks the safety parameters, it also sends an alert. Not only this, it monitors many things including registration of aircraft, runway usage, landing and takeoff time, timing of the aircraft reaching the destination and safety.
How many types of ATC are there?
Broadly, ATC is divided into two categories.
- Ground Based System: This is a conventional system that tracks and guides aircraft using radar and radio communications.
- Satellite Based System: This is an advanced system which controls the planes on the basis of data received from satellite.
How difficult is the controller’s job?
The job of a controller working for an air traffic control system is not easy. They are also called air traffic controllers or ATC officers. Their work is very responsible, stressful and respectable. They work in the control tower or radar room of the airport. From here the computers maintain contact with the pilot through radar screens and radio communication.
Many responsibilities are included in their scope of work. Such as giving permission for take-off and landing, giving correct altitude and route to the aircraft, monitoring all the aircraft on radar, taking quick decisions in case of bad weather or emergency, maintaining constant communication with the pilot and other control towers.
Although airports work 24 hours, but the officers working for ATC work in shifts. Usually their shift is of 8 hours. Concentration is very essential in their job, hence they are given breaks many times.
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