Copperchase Limited

Turnkey ATC Systems, Crash Alarm Systems and VCCS Solutions Worldwide

Company Profile

• Crash Alarm Systems

  When an aircraft emergency happens on or near the airfield, every second counts. Copperchase crash alarm systems give air traffic controllers instant, reliable contact with fire and rescue, airport operations and emergency services. Copperchase has supplied airport crash alarm systems to airports across the UK and internationally.

  The Copperchase Hotline6 ATC crash alarm is a rapid-access, direct-line telephone alerting system. Lifting the controller’s handset can automatically call up to six parties at once, and LEDs beside each button show who is on the line and listening. Strobes and sounders can be fitted at each call point, so the alert is seen and heard even in noisy environments.

  Every airport is different, so Copperchase supplies crash alarm system versions to suit the exact requirement:

  • Voice-based crash alarm systems over telephone lines (Hotline6)
  • Non-voice, Ethernet network-based crash alarm systems
  • Button and lamp crash alarm systems
  • Crash alarm integration into the MEP VCCS voice switch

  The Copperchase emergency alerting range also includes the Clearance to Land Indicator (CTLI), the Missed Approach Alarm and the ATC Alarm Monitoring System for aviation safety monitoring of ground-based ATC systems and navaids.

  From a single airfield crash alarm system to a complete emergency alerting solution, Copperchase designs, installs, commissions and supports each airport crash alarm system throughout its life.

  Find out more about Copperchase crash alarm systems

  

• Voice Communication Control Systems (VCCS)

  A VCCS voice communication control system is the heart of every air traffic control operation, linking controllers to radios, telephones and neighbouring units. Copperchase brought the MEP TCS990 VCCS to the UK market in 2005 and has installed voice communication control systems for airports and air traffic services providers ever since.

  The TCS990 is a fully digital, highly scalable voice switching and control system built for mission-critical, around-the-clock VCCS aviation operations. It supports:

  • Touch-screen controller working positions for VCCS and EVCS
  • VHF and UHF radios, both IP and analogue
  • Analogue or IP telephone networks
  • ED-137 voice recording compatibility
  • Alarm outputs and crash alarm integration

  For resilience, Copperchase supplies emergency voice communication systems (EVCS), which keep controllers in contact if the main VCCS fails. For smaller airfields and back-up positions, the SVS995 four radio control panel offers compact touch-screen control of up to four radio channels over 4-wire E&M or ED-137.

  Copperchase also supplies complete ATC radio communications with Jotron, including main and standby VHF and UHF transceivers for tower, approach, ATIS, ground, military and mobile use.

  Whether you need a new VCCS, an upgrade to an existing voice communication control system or an emergency back-up, Copperchase manages the full project, from design and installation to training and ATC maintenance.

  Explore Copperchase VCCS and ATC systems.

  

• ADS-B, MLAT & Surface Movement Radar (A-SMGCS)

  Copperchase supplies airport surveillance solutions built on A-SMGCS (Advanced Surface Movement Guidance and Control Systems), bringing ADS-B, MLAT and surface movement radar (SMR) together into one clear traffic picture for air traffic control.

  • ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast): aircraft and equipped vehicles broadcast their own GNSS position, identity, speed and heading. ADS-B is low-cost, accurate and fast-updating, ideal for smaller airports and vehicle tracking.
  • MLAT (Multilateration): ground receivers pick up transponder replies and calculate position from time difference of arrival. MLAT gives accurate position and identity even for aircraft without ADS-B, and cross-checks ADS-B data.
  • SMR (Surface Movement Radar): a non-cooperative sensor that detects everything on the movement area, including aircraft with transponders off, unequipped vehicles and debris. Surface movement radar is the safety backstop.
  • ATM system: fuses SMR, MLAT and ADS-B into one labelled target per aircraft or vehicle, links each target to its flight plan, and runs safety nets such as runway incursion alerts.

  A-SMGCS is central to the future of air traffic management at the airport. Copperchase also supplies navaids through specialist partners, including ILS CAT III with DME, DVOR/DME, NDB and VDF radio direction finding systems.

  Whether you are adding ADS-B, MLAT or SMR to an existing airport, or need a full A-SMGCS surveillance solution, Copperchase delivers turnkey design, integration, installation and air traffic control support.

  Talk to the Copperchase ATC consultants.

  

• AFTN, AMHS, ATIS & Voice Recording

  Copperchase began in 1990 as an air traffic control software house, and ATC data systems and ATC software remain at the core of its business.

  AFTN and AMHS: AFTN in aviation, the aeronautical fixed telecommunication network within the aeronautical fixed service, is supported by the AFGATE AFTN gateway, which routes by AFTN address and message type, and AFTERM terminals. For AFTN aviation users moving to AMHS aviation messaging, the AMHS system range (AMHSSWITCH, AMHSGATE, AMHSTERM, AMHSCONNECT) delivers an ICAO-compliant ATS message handling system and smooth AFTN AMHS migration. AMHSTERM handles every AFTN message format and AMHS message format, including the AFTN flight plan message format for FPL2012. An AMHS-SWIM gateway prepares networks for the future of air traffic control.

  Flight data management system: the Copperchase FDMS, one of its core flight data systems, and electronic strips replace paper strips, removing dual entry and providing accurate movement statistics and billing. Flight plans, NOTAM, METAR and SPECI arrive over the AFTN network or AMHS.

  ATIS, MET and IRVR: the Copperchase automatic terminal information service (ATIS and D-ATIS) broadcasts MET and ATC information by voice and datalink. METSYS works like an automated weather observing system (AWOS), alongside IRVR.

  Voice and data recording: Copperchase AIR records voice, radio, telephony, radar data and video on one platform, meeting ICAO, EUROCAE ED-137 and CAP 670, with AI transcription and search.

  ATC information display: the Copperchase IDS, air traffic controller software, gives controllers documents, charts, MET data and CCTV on one display, supporting CAP 670 compliance.

  See Copperchase ATC data systems.