AIRSPACE QUARTER 4 2015 17

Transforming Brazilian airspaceImplementing ADS-B in the Campos Basin is a fundamental next step in DECEA’s plans, says Daniel Marinho.Last year, more than 3.3 billion people travelled by air. According to an International Air Transport Association (IATA) passenger growth forecast study, this number is expected to more than double in the coming 20 years, reaching 7.3 billion.

Among the highlights of the report was the fact that Brazil would be handling 272 million passengers per year by this time,�becoming�the�fifth�biggest�aviation�market in the world.

To meet this seemingly endless increase in demand, the Brazilian ANSP, Departamento de Controle do Espaço Aéreo (DECEA) has made several long-term investments, all designed to increase capacity and cope with a highly dynamic market.

One of them ready for take-off is a breakthrough as far as Brazilian air surveillance is concerned; the introduction of automatic dependent surveillance – broadcast (ADS-B).

Fundamental linksWith its enhanced capabilities and low cost, ADS-B aircraft surveillance technology is becoming an aviation industry standard.

Unilike radar, which works by bouncing radio�waves�from�fixed�terrestrial�antennae to airborne targets and then interpreting�the�reflected�signals,�the�aircraft itself uses conventional global navigation satellite system (GNSS)

How ADS-B works over oil platform areas offshore in Brazil.

SPOTLIGHT: BRAZIL

AIRSPACE QUARTER 4 2015 19

technology and a relatively simple broadcast communications link as its fundamental components.

An ADS-B Out-capable aircraft derives its precise position from GNSS, combines that�position�with�other�flight�data�(speed,�heading,�altitude�and�flight�number) and then simultaneously broadcasts the result to ground receivers linked�to�air�traffic�control�centres.�ADS-B�accuracy does not seriously degrade with range, atmospheric conditions or target altitudes. Likewise, its systems and machinery are also simpler, cheaper and easier to maintain when compared with secondary radars.

In Brazil, ADS-B’s debut will take place over an oceanic region that has a large helicopter�traffic�flow�to�the�offshore�oil�and gas platforms. The Campos Basin is not far from Rio de Janeiro and is home to the Brazilian Pre-salt Layer, a massive oil reserve area.

As helicopter operations that support oil�exploration�generally�fly�at�low�altitude,�it�is�difficult�for�radar�to�pick�them up. The service provided to these helicopters is therefore based on non-radar�procedures,�which�significantly�reduces�air�traffic�capacity�–�especially�for�Instrumental Flight Rules (IFR).

“The�use�of�ADS-B�in�the�Campos�Basin�will enable the surveillance of aircraft flying�at�low�altitude�and�will�provide�the�best�trajectories�and�flight�profiles,�meaning�better�air�traffic�management�and�security,”�says�DECEA�Project�Manager of Air Navigation Services Improvement (Ocean Areas), Lieutenant Marcelo Mello Fagundes.

Logistical efficiencyThe terrestrial infrastructure for ADS-B was implemented in August 2015. It is made up of six stations (four on platforms, two on the mainland) and is integrated with the SAGITARIO System in Macaé Approach Control. Operational processes are being tested and certified,�after�which�the�service�will�be�activated for suitable aircrafts. By 2017, all helicopters in the region should be properly equipped with ADS-B.

Filipe Heringer, Flight Safety & Aviation Competence Manager at Petrobras –

the biggest oil company in Brazil – says ADS-B will allow an increase in aircraft density in the Campos Basin area, which will�significantly�contribute�to�the�logistical�efficiency�of�air�transport�services.

“In�the�case�of�air�operations�stopping�due to adverse weather or other issues, ADS-B allows greater resilience of flight�schedules�to�handle�contingency�measures, providing an increase in capacity�to�face�extra�demands,”�he�explains.�“So,�even�with�all�the�logistical�gains, operational safety is our greatest benefit,�especially�considering�that�it is crucial to handle a large number of aircraft in the Campos Basin, most notably�during�peak�times.”

ADS-B in the Campos Basin is just the start for Brazil, however. It is planned to phase in ADS-B over the entire Brazilian continental area, which covers a massive 8.5 million km2.

To make the implementation easier, ADS- B stations will use the existing infrastructure�in�radar�and�VHF�sites.�“The�idea is to implement the land system over the coming years to provide surveillance based on ADS-B throughout the national airspace�above�31,000�feet�(FL�310)”,�says DECEA Project Manager of Airspace Surveillance Improvement Lieutenant Colonel André Eduardo Jansen.

Many of the major airlines that serve Brazil already have a considerable number of aircraft equipped to handle

ADS-B requirements and will meet compliance standards set by the Brazilian civil aviation authority (ANAC – Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil). Those airlines and aircraft without ADS-B, including general aviation users, have some time to make the necessary investment. The mandatory use of ADS-B in continental Brazilian airspace is only predicted to take place from 2022 onwards, and only in airways above FL310.

Maintaining layersEven with the introduction of ADS-B, DECEA will keep its non-dependent surveillance layer since these radars would be immune to failures or abnormalities that may occur in positioning systems based on satellites.

That said, there is no going back regarding the adoption of ADS-B in Brazil. The�system�improves�safety,�efficiency�and environmental performance for pilots and�air�traffic�controllers.

Director General of DECEA, Air Lieutenant Brigadier Carlos Vuyk de Aquino, points out that the implementation of the ADS-B system is one of the most important projects in Brazilian airspace in the years ahead.

“We�are�increasing�the�safety,�capacity�and�efficiency�of�air�traffic�control,�regardless of the route, height and�position�in�which�aircraft�find�themselves,”�he�notes.��

Cre

dit:

Fáb

io M

acie

l

Air Traffic Controller at Macaé Approach Control in Brazil.

SPOTLIGHT: BRAZIL