TopSky ATC Expected To Manage All En Route And Approach Segments In Panamanian Airspace

After signing a contract with the government of Panama on November 25th of last year, Thales has released the hardware list for a new building which will house a 12 Control Working Position (CWP) Air Traffic Control (ATC) Center capable of managing all of the en route and approach segments of Panama’s airspace.

The center, which will be operated by the Civil Aviation Authority of Panama (AAC), will include the Thales TopSky-ATC, and an associated TopSky-Simulator for the training of Panamanian Air traffic control officers. The center will also house an Aeronautical Message Handling System (AMHS) and the high-end Thales Aeronautical Information Management System (AIM) that will allow AAC to more effectively manage and edit its own Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) electronically. The center will be built by Thales’ local partner Sofratesa de Panama.
 
In addition to all the equipment provided by Thales, the new system will also be fully compliant with the new ICAO Flight Plan 2012 format, which was a baseline requirement and one of the key reasons behind the AAC’s decision to launch this important project. This system will allow Panama to continue to offer high-end aeronautical services to airlines or other users, and is expected to be delivered, along with its housing building, fully operational and verified, to the Panamanian authorities by Summer 2013.
 
“The AAC have posed themselves an incredibly ambitious challenge, in one fell swoop they have instigated a massive upgrade of their entire Air Traffic Management network and being chosen to partner with them in this is a true honor," said Rémi Gille, Thales VP and Thales Head of Air Traffic Management. "Our prime position in Latin America is well established, however, being chosen to help in such a venture is a true reaffirmation of the dominant position we hold in the region’s ATM market.”

FMI: www.thalesgroup.com