EUROCONTROL - News

10 June 2010

Brétigny-sur-Orge, France – EUROCONTROL has launched on 7 June a two weeks real-time simulation to test the viability of improvements proposed by the French DSNA to the air traffic system serving Paris-Charles De Gaulle, Paris-Orly and Paris-Le Bourget airports.

These modifications are primarily aimed at reducing the impact of noise pollution in the vicinity of aerodromes. They will comprise a 1,000-ft increase in the capture levels on final approach on all of the instrument approach paths. As a result of these modifications, almost all of the Paris TMA's initial approach fixes (IAFs) and holding patterns will be moved further away from their respective airports, and the transition altitude in the Air Navigation Service Paris Region (SNA-RP) will increase to 5,000 ft.

Requested by the French DSNA, this real-time simulation will be the largest ever carried out by EUROCONTROL or indeed in Europe, with around 100 participants over 2 weeks: 45 controller positions and 35 pilot positions simulating 11 sectors of the Athis-Mons Control Centre, 13 approach positions (Roissy, Le Bourget and Orly), 2 military positions (Creil and Villacoublay) and 4 feeds with traffic of almost 900 flights. The simulator will also comprise MAESTRO PCU, tool for arrivals management support, on each position simulated.

The implementation date for the airspace modifications is scheduled for spring 2011.

For further information, please contact:

Kyla Evans/Catherine De Smedt, Tel: +32 2 729 50 95 Email:
press@eurocontrol.int For more information via the website: www.eurocontrol.int