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Both domestic and international carriers are introducing new techno-airliners to Australian operations in an effort to reduce fuel burn and thereby costs. Unfortunately, much of the savings are to some extent being forfeited through an archaic ATC system that has simply not kept pace with the leading edge of aviation technology.
Does Air Traffic Control Affect The Economy?
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Australia’s Air Traffic Management System has not kept pace with available technology. In this fascinating article, John Botwood describes some of the problems confronting the management of ATC flow at Australia’s major airports.
The Effect of Air Traffic Control On Aviation Economy
Most overseas countries have Air Traffic Systems in which the system handles the air traffic and the controller uses the system. In the event of an overload, the system holds the aircraft until the controller can resume operations. These systems include flexible route structures inside the terminal area which change with varying runway configurations allowing maximum utilisation of airspace. Feeder stacks established within 15-30nm of the aerodrome enable aircraft to be held close to the field allowing every opportunity to keep the traffic running in the most economical manner. This is achieved by aircraft holding at lower altitudes and having a lower stack entry and exit speed resulting in tighter patterns; they are easier to control and can be turned in towards the field before the completion of a pattern. Any inaccuracies in Stack Departure Time can be compensated for by shortening or lengthening the track miles with vectoring to finish In the event of an overload on the system, aircraft automatically hold if they have not been cleared past the stack. The stack being close to the field enables rapid recovery from any overload situation.
Now, closer to home we have our Australian Area Approach Control Centres, there is no mention of a system in this context. Without a doubt, the Australian Area Approach Control Centre is the most flexible, economical and efficient means of handling light to medium-density traffic but once an overload occurs or holding is required, it becomes inflexible and uneconomic. There is no SYSTEM to take any overload and any holding stacks are either out at 50 or 60 miles or at the final approach aid. Safety is never compromised but efficiency suffers. Australian Air Traffic Controllers have to control aircraft directly, without an intervening system. This results in a one-on-one or sometimes one on twelve situation. As can be seen, the efficiency of any traffic management will rely on the efficiency of individual controllers. The efficiency of Australian Controllers can be judged by comparing Perth and Hong Kong, two airports with similar traffic movements and mix. The 72 controllers in Perth achieve the same results as 143 controllers in Hong Kong.
The Australian means of handling traffic depends more on human abilities than many others. There are of course two human elements, the Air Traffic Controller and the Pilot.
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