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February
22nd 2007 Copperchase
the UK based Air Traffic Engineering and Data Systems suppliers are
pleased to have worked with Leeds Bradford International Airport (LBIA) on
their recent ATC Tower Refit. A
contract was awarded to Copperchase for the ATC Tower refit at LBIA. The
contract involved the supply of a Voice Communications Control System (VCCS),
ATC furniture, an Emergency Handset System (EHS) and relocation of all
existing systems into the new furniture. The
Copperchase approach was that each party involved in the contract were
effectively stakeholders and each of these “stakeholders” had key
roles to play with some of the activities being critical to ensure the
LBIA criteria of minimal interruption was achieved. The
stakeholders, LBIA (Customer), Copperchase (Prime contractor/project
management), Schmid (Supplier–VCCS), Alusett (Designers/builders–ATC
furniture), NATS (Provider VCCS - Safety Case), Keltel (EHS System)
attended an initial review and planning meeting to agree the project
strategy. Along
with the Initial design proposals for both the VCCS and Control Desks that
would address LBIA Operational and Safety Requirements, agreement was
reached in respect of project responsibilities, communication strategies
and reporting priorities. This
was the first of regular meetings that took place during the course of the
project which served to monitor progress, agree procedures and address any
issues. The Air Traffic Engineering staff at LBIA led by Steve Scott
(Senior ATE) and Steve Murphy from ATC contributed valuably to the project
with a high degree of commitment, technical knowledge and flexibility. The
agreed project strategy was firstly to install the Schmid VCCS consisting
of main equipment racks, desk equipment (installed in temporary housings
on the existing desks) comprising touch screens and controller positions. This
enabled the existing Radio Distribution and Control Equipment (RDCE) to
remain in operation and following cut over, act as a fall back resource in
the event of problems and negated the need to attempt major modifications
to the existing desks and unnecessary disturbance of operational systems. Secondly,
to obtain CAA-SRG approval for the VCCS and commission it into operational
service. a “bedding in” and familiarization period was scheduled to
allow ATC confidence to develop in the new system. Thirdly,
to prepare the way for Desk Installation and a final integration of
retained and new ATM Systems. This
third phase was greatly assisted by the production, by LBIA Air Traffic
Engineers, of an Equipment Audit Document which allowed Project Plans to
be formulated and also assisting in location of existing cable accesses to
VCR enabling removal of redundant cables thereby reducing potential delay
when the desk installation took place. Following
approval of the Project Plans by CAA SRG, the implementation stage was
initiated. It
was planned to Install VCR Desk over three consecutive nights during ATC
close down which involved ·
Phased removal of the old
desk / installation of new. ·
Removal of existing RDCE
equipment and associated cabling. ·
Permanent Installation of
VCCS ·
Removal and replacement of
existing systems ·
Safeguarding of critical
operational systems The
bulk of the project was completed over two nights leaving the final night
to tidy up any issues that came to light and make minor changes to desk
layouts. All
critical project stages were achieved with a minimum of disruption to LBIA
ATC operation with the EHS system finally being approved for use by the UK
CAA (Copperchase assistance with Safety Case, Declaration of Suitability
of Use and Declaration of Verification) The
stakeholder team approach to project management enabled the contract to be
completed with minimum disruption to operations and Copperchase is pleased
to have had the opportunity to work with LBIA on this prestigious project. Tony
Myers, the Copperchase Director of Business Development stated “The
successful completion of this contract to the satisfaction of the UK CAA
regulator and most importantly , the end customer further confirms
Copperchase’s position as one of the UK’s leading supplier of System
and Solutions for ATC”. For
more information on what Copperchase can do for your ATC unit then
contact: sales@copperchase.co.uk or call +44 (0) 1202 774 500 |