Interest Grows in Singapore’s Plan to Become Centre of Excellence for Air Traffic Management

Since it unveiled plans to develop Singapore as a Centre of Excellence for Air Traffic Management (ATM), the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) says it has received strong interest from organisations across the aviation community, both locally and internationally.

As a Centre of Excellence for ATM, Singapore will house a self-sustaining eco-system, comprising research institutes and think-tanks, industry players, academia, ATM entities and aviation stakeholders, to collaborate and delve into ATM R&D for new concepts and solutions to meet the Asia Pacific region’s requirements. CAAS is pumping Sin$200 million over the next 10 years for this effort.

Mr Yap Ong Heng, Director-General, CAAS, said, “We are very encouraged to see our Centre of Excellence for ATM initiative drawing both national and international interests. Forging strong global collaboration in developing ATM concepts, technologies and solutions is key to modernising and harmonising ATM in the Asia Pacific and across regions. The convergence of key aviation stakeholders working together on ATM R&D, test-bedding and validation in Singapore will bring new and innovative solutions that will support the growth in air traffic in Singapore and the Asia Pacific region.”

To jumpstart ATM R&D in Singapore, CAAS and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) are now in advanced talks on establishing an ATM research institute in Singapore. The partnership will also include developing high quality human capital that is required to support the Center of Excellence for ATM.

“A fast-rising research-intensive university, NTU is contributing its research expertise through the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, one of the world’s largest mechanical engineering schools. The school’s faculty is currently working on research projects related to human factors in air traffic control and ATM. Working with CAAS, the innovative ATM capabilities and solutions to be developed as part of the Centre of Excellence for ATM effort will put Singapore at the forefront of research in this dynamic field. Such initiatives will support the future growth of the nation’s air hub and air transport in the Asia Pacific,” said Professor Chua Chee Kai, Chair, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, NTU.

On 20 November 2012, at the sidelines of the 12th International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Air Navigation Conference in Montreal, Canada, CAAS will sign a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) with the Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR) Joint Undertaking (JU) which is leading the Single European Sky ATM R&D efforts.

The MOC will give Singapore valuable opportunities to partner established ATM entities in the SESAR JU consortium, of more than 125 members and associate members, to collaborate on R&D projects that advance ATM modernisation, and ensure the interoperability of technologies and solutions between Singapore and the Asia-Pacific region and other regions. The MOC will also facilitate the sharing and exchange of information, knowledge and technologies between CAAS and SESAR JU.

Mr Patrick Ky, Executive Director, SESAR JU, congratulated Singapore on this ambitious initiative and also expressed his organisation’s keen interest to collaborate with CAAS. He said, “We hope that more of such international collaborative partnerships can be forged so that the aviation community can collectively move towards a globally harmonised and interoperable aviation system.”

The Centre of Excellence for ATM has also kindled the interest of other international organisations, including the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), The MITRE Corporation and the German Aerospace Centre - DLR, to identify areas of mutual cooperation with Singapore.

Ms Julie Oettinger, Assistant Administrator (Policy, International Affairs and Environment), US FAA, said “I have no doubt that Singapore will be greatly successful in realising this vision.”

Dr Lillian Ryals, Vice President of The MITRE Corporation and Acting General Manager of the Center for Advanced Aviation System Development, said, “The Centre of Excellence for ATM is great news for Singapore and the region. It is indeed another affirmation of the long range view of Singapore to maintain its visionary leadership in aviation and is a testament to the leadership of CAAS to see this moving forward. We are looking forward to partnering with CAAS on this important endeavour.”

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