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AERONAUTICAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS |
Aeronautical Telecommunications Limited (AEROTEL) is the organization that installs and maintains telecommunication, electronic, electrical and data communication equipment. It was formed in 1978 primarily to provide support and maintenance for the Communication and Navigational systems being used by the then Civil Aviation Department. Other clients include: the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), AJAS , Airport Authority of Jamaica (AAJ), the National Meteorological Service , Air Jamaica and 'Société Internationale de Télécommunications Aéro-nautiques' (SITA) .
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Business partners/service providers are Aeronautical Radio, Inc. (ARINC), Federal Aviation Administration and Satellite Communication System International. The Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority’s Air Traffic Services ensure that airplanes traverse Jamaican air space safely and expeditiously guided by communication, navigational and surveillance systems maintained by AEROTEL. |
COMMUNICATION, NAVIGATIONAL and SUR-VEILLANCE SYSTEMS
RADAR (Radio Detection and Ranging)
AEROTEL maintains the country’s RADAR systems to protect the integrity of Jamaica’s Flight Information Region (FIR) .RADAR is a system that transmits short bursts (pulses) of energy and detects echoes from objects (targets) such as aircraft or ships. The device provides a visual representation of the aircraft in the FIR which is used by Air Traffic Controllers to aid in decision making. The RADAR provides altitude (height above ground), speed and direction of flight of the target aircraft.
AEROTEL maintains the RADAR systems to protect the integrity of Jamaica’s FIR.
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Navigational Systems – The Doppler VHF Omni Ranging / Distance Measuring Equipment (DVOR/DME)
DVOR is the basic electronic navigation that is in use today. An aircraft flies from one DVOR to another. This DVOR navigation method relies on ground based transmitters which emit signals to DVOR receivers in the aircraft.
Most VOR stations also have distance-measuring equipment (DME). A display indicator in the aircraft reads the signals and tells the pilots if they are on course and how far they are from the station. VOR-DME systems are limited in range to 160 miles and can only provide direct courses to or from a given station.
There are two DVOR/DME sites in Jamaica. AEROTEL maintains this system for safe travel in Jamaica’s FIR.
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The Non Directional Beacon (NDB)
The commonest and one of the simplest of aids is the Non-Directional Beacon. It is used to mark airways, when its useful range may be up to 100 miles, and as an approach and landing aid, sometimes referred to as a Locator Beacon.
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The Instrument Landing System (ILS)
ILS facilities are a highly accurate and dependable means of navigating to the runway in IFR conditions. When using the ILS, the pilot determines aircraft position primarily by reference to instruments.
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Localiser transmitter Glide path transmitter Outer markers Approach lighting system
The ILS stations are installed at both international airports, which support the landing aircraft with instrument guidance under adverse weather conditions. ILS is used to provide the pilot with precision information of the aircraft direction so as he lands the aircraft, if it is possible, to touch the ground in the specific point. This point should be the centerline of the runway and be at the beginning of the runway. In addition, aircraft is landed at an angle of 3 degrees. So, the two of the landing guidance (i.e. runway centerline and 30 angle landing path) are provided by Localiser and Guide path respectively.
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Communication
This system consists of air to ground radios used by the air traffic controllers to communicate with aircrafts. These radios are located at multiple sites across the island and in Grand Cayman. The air traffic controllers are at two International Airports, Tinson Pen and the Kingston Air Traffic Centre. AEROTEL maintaining the ground to air radios providing reliable communication in Jamaica’s FIR.
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The air traffic controllers at the KATC coordinate the movement of ALL aircraft in and thru Jamaica’s FIR and with adjoining FIR. The three (3) radar stations multiple ground to air radio sites are interconnected using a dedicated Microwave Link starts at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston and ends at the Donald Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay transporting voice and data for all sites. Communication with adjoining FIR is achieved using VSAT Satellite earth station and dedicated leased lines from Cable & Wireless.
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These systems are maintained by AEROTEL ensuring safe passage through and in Jamaica’s FIR.
AEROTEL provides Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunication Network (AFTN) services for all its clients locally and via the FAA internationally. The AFTN is used to transport and deliver messages pertaining to Aircraft movement and safety such as flight plans and weather data.
AEROTEL and ARINC in partnership provide the ACARS (Aircraft Communication Addressing and Reporting System) service to airlines traversing Jamaica’s FIR. This service is used by airlines to receive and send digital operational updates.
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