21 January 2025
Gloucestershire Airport will soon be using a state-of-the-art Flight Information Display system called Romeo5 to enhance situational awareness for air traffic management.
Spanish company Databeacon has created Romeo5 to provide real-time aircraft position data. It will equip Air Traffic Control Officers (ATCOs) and Aerodrome Flight Information Service Officers (AFISOs) with comprehensive visibility of both ground and airborne activity.
According to Databeacon [set Nerd switch to on], “Romeo5 ensures seamless access to core real time system functions. Romeo5 operates on on-premise hardware to ensure the highest reliability, redundancy, and low latency, while also offering complementing functions available on the cloud.” [Nerd switch off].
Databeacon Romeo5 display on an iPad. Image: Databeacon
An example given by Databeacon is a video playback tool which enables incident investigation and analysis, while the cloud-based data recorder and replay tool enhance operational efficiency and post-operational safety assessments.
Over to a human: Chris Brian, manager of Air Traffic Services at Gloucestershire Airport said, “This new Flight Information Display system will allow Gloucestershire Airport ATCOs to see participating (ADSB-out) aircraft, thus improving their situational awareness and allowing them to use the FID in line with CAP493 procedures.
“We hope to have the FID operating by Spring 2025. However, we will still require approval from the CAA before being able to use it operationally.”
David Pérez, CEO of DataBeacon, added, “Our collaboration with Gloucestershire Airport showcases our dedication to delivering innovative solutions that prioritise safety and efficiency in air navigation services. We are proud to work alongside the Gloucestershire team to address the dynamic challenges faced by airports and air navigation service providers.”
Earlier this month, Gloucestershire Airport announced its upgrade to a permanent Rescue and Fire Fighting (RFF) Category 4 status.
The upgrade follows substantial investment in both personnel and equipment. Airport firefighters have undergone extensive training to meet Category 4 standards, ensuring rapid and effective response to any potential emergencies.
Jason Ivey, managing director of the airport, said, “This upgrade represents a major milestone in our commitment to safety and growth. By achieving permanent Category 4 status, we have not only enhanced our safety protocols but also opened doors to new opportunities for regional air travel and business.”
