DFS - Air Traffic Control

Last weekend, several hundred pilots attended the Tannkosh Fly-In at Tannheim, where DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH presented two new applications for the iPhone and iPad. One application is for mobile, route-related NOTAM retrievals and the other supports orientation during flight with DFS charts and maps.

The VFRiNOTAM application lets pilots retrieve German NOTAM briefings on their iPhone or iPad for planned VFR flights in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The user enters an aerodrome or a route, a radius around his location and the period of validity into the input field and is then shown a list with all relevant NOTAM for the entered route. The information is marked with different colours according to the read status, which makes the briefing very user-friendly. Thanks to a special feature, the NOTAM can also be graphically displayed on a chart along the selected route. With the menu item "Kontakte" (contacts), helpful telephone numbers of aerodromes, the aeronautical information services and meteorological briefing services can be dialled automatically. The NOTAM list can also be saved as a PDF file and sent per e-mail. This retrieval legally documents the necessary NOTAM briefing within the scope of pre-flight planning. VFRiNOTAM costs €5.99 and is available in the iTunes Store.

In addition to the ICAO 1:500,000 chart for Germany and the Europe Wall Chart at a scale of 1:2,000,000, the VFRiCharts application, which was launched in April, now also includes charts for Germany's neighbours – namely the ICAO chart for the Netherlands as well as 1:500,000 charts for Austria, Poland, the Czech Republic, Belgium and Denmark from the "Visual 500" series. Their format corresponds to the German ICAO chart so that pilots do not need to get used to a different layout when flying outside Germany. This application displays the current aircraft position by means of a small aircraft symbol on the respective chart. Flight level, speed and direction are determined by means of GPS. VFRiCharts costs €49.99 and is available in the iTunes Store. The charts for the neighbouring states cost €34.99 each and can be downloaded as of 9 September. Starting on 16 September, the set of European charts can be bought for €89.99.

This year, DFS presented an AVIATOR's Logbook to every hundredth pilot landing at Tannheim. The AVIATOR's Logbook is a paper logbook where pilots can enter their flight times and which can be customised to meet each pilots individual requirements. In addition to entering flight times, pilots can also write down different types of ratings, aircraft types and classes and, in a special section, simulation times. The logbook is available over the internet at www.dfs-aviationshop.de or from many distributors of aeronautical products. It costs €18.90.

At its stand, DFS presented its aeronautical publications which visitors could order free of shipping charges. Furthermore, the visitors could obtain first-hand information on the work of the flight information service (FIS). At their working position, the FIS controllers presented the radar data processing system "Phoenix" which displays not only the ICAO charts but also approach charts. This means that FIS controllers have the same charts as the pilots in the cockpit, provided they also use the ICAO chart, and can directly see all information relevant to VFR flights. "Now we can, if necessary, recommend a heading to the pilots or support them during approach" says Herwart Goldbach, head of FIS in Langen, explaining the new functionalities. Moreover, the FIS expert gave several presentations with recommendations for the safe use of airspace and conduct in difficult meteorological situations as well as on aircraft proximities.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like to see screenshots of the applications.

For further information, please contact:
Stephanie Schmiedel, telephone: +49 (0)6103 707-1388, fax: +49 (0)6103 707-1395
E-mail: Stephanie.Schmiedel@dfs.de

DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH, the German air navigation service provider, is a State-owned company under private law and has 5,600 employees. DFS ensures the safe and punctual flow of air traffic over Germany. Staff coordinate up to 10,000 aircraft movements in German airspace every day, and nearly three million movements every year. This makes Germany the country with the highest traffic volume in Europe. DFS operates control centres in Langen, Bremen, Karlsruhe and Munich. In addition, DFS is represented in the Eurocontrol Centre in Maastricht, the Netherlands, and in the control towers of the 16 international German airports. DFS provides training and consultancy services around the world and develops and sells air traffic management systems, surveillance systems and navigation aids. The company's portfolio also comprises flight-relevant data, aeronautical publications and aeronautical information services. DFS has the following business units: Control Centre, Tower, Aeronautical Solutions and Aeronautical Information Management.