ATIS and D-ATIS – Automatic Terminal Information Service

The Copperchase ATIS is an aeronautical flight information service that automatically merges the current MET and ATC information on an airfield and converts it to voice using either pre-recorded phrases or voice synthesis. This audio signal is then made available for distribution via radio transmitter (or any other audio device) and optionally over PSTN. Aircrews can tune into the correct radio frequency to hear the ATIS transmission, thus reducing controller–pilot radio chatter on initial contact. The textual version of this ATIS broadcast may also be distributed on the AFTN network.

The ATIS broadcast message is made up of weather information, runway serviceability and any other information considered necessary to maintain a safe ATC environment at an airport. The content of the message is updated every half-hour, and new messages are typically made available at 20 minutes past and 50 minutes past the hour (these intervals are configurable).

Features

• Designed using state-of-the-art process control equipment.
• Design inspired by safety-first approach, including redundant elements, which can include power supplies and communications paths.
• Modular construction makes the system suitable for any airfield, of any complexity or particular needs.
• Adaptable to changes in an airfield’s physical layout without costly re-engineering.
• Touch-screen technology for maximum flexibility of operation and ease of change in response to changes in airfield layout.

Maintenance Display

The Maintenance Display provides an “at a glance” view of the monitored equipment. The screen is split into two sections:

• The top half of the screen to the left of the yellow “Equipment Status” bar provides an alarm overview with buttons to enable further pages to be selected or to give a more ‘in depth’ look at the systems.
• The bottom half of the screen to the right of the “Equipment Status” bar is purely a status area giving information on equipment, airfield and emergency status.

ATC Status Display

Status displays can be connected wherever they are needed. They are connected either by a Modbus Plus multi-drop cable network or by a direct line using Modbus (RS232) connectivity.

Airfield and Emergency Status

One user panel can be designated as an Airfield Emergency Status Control Panel. This enables the user to change the Low Visibilty Procedure (LVP) category and the Emergency category as shown above. On entering the page, the four boxes on the left are ‘greyed out’. The user simply presses the select button and then the appropriate status button.

Once the status has been set the select button must be pressed again before each status change. This prevents accidental status change. The status change will be indicated to other users by the amber button on the main page of their displays changing to red.

The user then simply presses the status button and then enters the status.