Posted on: February 08, 2013
The second SATSA training session covered the engineering & programmatic aspects of a SBAS, from the feasibility analysis and mission definition to the operational phase. Besides the development and implementation of a SBAS, a particular focus was placed on applications most relevant to South Africa. Dr. Nestor Zarraoa and Javier Ostolaza, both from GMV, lead this session and allocated significant time for hands-on training using GMV’s engineering tools (magicSBAS, eclayr, and magicGemini).
This training session was held in August (23rd-26th), at the ATNS Aviation Training Academy at the O.R. Tambo International Airport and was attended by ATNS, CAA, industry consultants and SANSA. magicSBAS, GMV’s SBAS testbed, was installed at the SANSA Space Operations premises at Hartebeeshoek using data from South Africa’s existing network of GNSS stations (TrigNet) in order to provide an EGNOS-like signal – which could then be accessed via the Internet. eclayr and magicGEMINI software helps to determine the performance of the magicSBAS EGNOS-like signal generated, and will prove indispensible for the SATSA trials in early 2013.
The third SATSA training session was held at the ATNS Engineering and Technical Services, Cape Town, South Africa from 10 to 14 September 2012. The presenters for the this course were Luis Javier Álvarez Antón and Amaya Atencia Yepez from GMV. This training had a focused on two areas, firstly the use of GNSS in Aviation and all its aspect stretching from ICAO strategy to regulatory requirements also covering the technical details for the system and finally procedure development.
The second main topic focused on safety engineering and its application in the aviation domain when looking at the implementation of GNSS technologies. The training was illustrated with hands-on exercises that ranged from SBAS procedure design using software tools, to participatory exercises in safety engineering. What kept the attendees on their toes was the daily safety quiz used to review learning up to that point. The third course saw participation from SANSA, ATNS and a large delegation from CAA, which was particularly encouraging considering the topics covered.
The last SATSA training session was held on 13-14 November 2012 at the ESSP Operations Centre at AENA near Madrid, focusing on operations, maintenance and service provision. This training workshop was organised by GMV and included training lectures from ESSP staff. The training addressed topics such as EGNOS services, performance, roadmap NOTAM and the LPV implementation status in Europe, as well as training, quality safety and security management. Trainees, from SANSA, ATNS and the South African Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), had the opportunity to visit both ESSP and AENA installations such as the ASQF, NOTAM and EDAS services and also the EGNOS MCC and NLES equipment room.
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| A visit to the ESSP Operations Centre at AENA near Madrid | Attendees of the second SATSA Training session at ATA, Guateng, South Africa |