Northrop Grumman Traffic Management System Replaces Paper Strips

An Electronic Flight Strip (EFS) system is now operational at Jersey Airport, Channel Islands, UK. In December 2010, Jersey Airport's new control tower and approach center became fully operational. Northrop Grumman Park Air Systems provided the EFS system under a subcontract to the UK's National Air Traffic Services (NATS). The EFS system automates the production, distribution and administrative management of flight plan information and other air traffic control data and replaces the paper strip systems previously used by air traffic controllers.

"Our integrated air traffic management system will help controllers meet the demands for increased airspace capacity at Jersey airport," said Eldar Hauge, managing director for Northrop Grumman Park Air Systems Norway. "We are proud of our strong partnership with NATS and delighted that our products were selected for the tower fit-out at Jersey Airport and that they are now in operation."

The EFS also provides data integrity checking, eases the working environment of air traffic controllers and paves the way for the application of advanced features such as Controller Pilot Data Link Communications. The system installed at Jersey exchanges data via standard links with both the enroute centers at Swanwick in the UK and Brest in France, as well as a data link to Guernsey.

"The project faced considerable challenges in delivering EFS for tower, approach and zone facilities in conjunction with moving the Jersey air traffic control center to a new facility," said Derek Brien, NATS Manager Special Projects for Jersey Airport. "The success of the project is testament to the dedication of the entire project team, specifically both customer and supplier in identifying requirements and solutions throughout the project cycle."

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