Page 126 - Planning and Design of Airports

CHAPTER 3

Air Traffic

Management

Introduction
In order that the airport planner and designer may be aware of the
importance of the rules and technologies that define the aviation
operations within the airspace, a very brief summary of what consti-
tutes air traffic control, increasingly being known as air traffic man-
agement, how it is managed and operated, and the principal aids to
air navigation, is presented in this chapter.
An appreciation of air traffic management and its current and future
operating and technological characteristics will focus attention on the fact
that any extensive reorientation of runways on existing airports or the con-
struction of entirely new airports requires consultation with the organiza-
tions in charge of operating surrounding airspace and very often an
airspace study. This is particularly true in large metropolitan areas where
several airports are present and the existing airspace must be shared by
several airports. In addition, the design of local airspace procedures
include procedures for the departure and arrival of aircraft to airport run-
ways requires a fundamental knowledge in current and future air traffic
control technologies and policies. Conflicts in air traffic procedures can
seriously affect the efficiency of any single airport or a system of airports
in a region. The planning of airports must include provisions for facilities
located at airports that support the air traffic management system.
As enhanced air traffic management technologies and strategic
plans continue to be implemented, consideration of local air traffic
procedures has become increasingly relevant and important for even
the smallest of airports.
As of 2008, the air traffic management system was just beginning a
complete system transformation. As such it is imperative of the airport
planner to have an understanding of both the fundamentals of air traf-
fic management and the constant enhancements to the system. This
chapter is intended to only briefly introduce the system to the airport
planner.
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