Apron controller

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A run-traffic controller (Engl. Apron controller ) has the task of the traffic flow of aircraft and other vehicles on the apron areas of a larger airfield sure to govern properly and swiftly. Apron controllers are usually employed by the respective airport company , their workplace is in the apron control . The use of the term controller is a logical consequence of the term air traffic controller . A separate apron control point is being set up more and more frequently at airports with a very high volume of traffic.

tasks

The apron controller monitors the traffic on the apron and guides all aircraft in his area of ​​responsibility in order to avoid collisions and safety-relevant approaches between aircraft or with other road users and obstacles.

The main task of these activities is landed aircraft after leaving the purview of the space or roll control on the taxiways of the apron to the assigned parking position , or launching aircraft from the parking position via the run-in direction of the assigned runway until it reaches the adjacent areas of competence ( Place or roll control).

The aircraft taxiing traffic is controlled by radio and is handled in English, with the apron controller granting the cockpit crew the permits to push the aircraft back from the parking position ( pushback clearance ) and taxi clearance on the apron. Particular attention must be paid to compliance with the required wingtip clearances and jet-blast distances.
The call sign of the ground radio station is "Vorfeld" ( "apron" ).

The apron controllers work
at Munich Airport

One of the most important tools is direct visual contact. If this is not possible in some places for structural reasons, camera images serve as a substitute. If visibility is poor due to precipitation or fog, the controller is supported by ground radar and position reports from the pilots. Depending on the configuration of the airfield, he has the additional option of rolling traffic by switching optical rolling guide aids such as fired Roll guidelines to lead, stop bars and Einrollleitlinien. Various IT systems are used to supply the necessary flight operations data, which is also used to collect relevant data.

For Einpark- and pilot operations of apron traffic controller coordinates the use of Mars Hallern and follow-me vehicles . As an alternative to the marshaler, automatic docking systems are available in many parking positions , which are operated by the apron controller.

He is also responsible for the control of aircraft towing operations, which, like rolling aircraft, have to be integrated into the current traffic flow. All other vehicles that have to drive on the taxiways for operational reasons are also coordinated and directed by the apron controller. Communication with all of these road users is carried out using company radio in German.

I.a. the apron controller actively participates in the handling of alarm events, drives on the runways at regular intervals to avoid FODs (Foreign Object Damage) and coordinates the winter maintenance activities in his area of responsibility in the event of interference from snowfall and slippery conditions .

The most important interfaces require intensive cooperation with the adjacent air traffic control units (space and taxi control, flight data ) and various airfield departments.

job and education

In Germany, apron controllers work at the international airports Dresden , Erfurt , Frankfurt a. M. , Hamburg and Munich ; They are employed there by the respective airport operators. The aircraft manufacturer Airbus has also been using apron pilots at its special airfield in Hamburg-Finkenwerder since 2006 .

“Apron controller” or “apron controller” is not a state-recognized training occupation, so the training takes place in-house and company-related. To check suitability, some employers carry out a three-day aptitude test at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Hamburg.

The course and content of the training (with the exception of the IFR training) is based on that of the air traffic controller and takes about two years. It includes basic theoretical training, the acquisition of the “General Radiotelephony Certificate for Air Traffic Service” (AZF) , simulator training and on-the-job training at the later workplace. After successfully completing the training, a license is acquired, for the receipt of which a minimum number of working hours must be proven annually and the health fitness must be maintained.

Deutsche Flugsicherung (DFS) is currently planning to deploy apron controllers at the future Berlin Airport (BER) .

Outside Germany, Flughafen Zürich AG trains apron pilots, with the German-language job title in Switzerland being “taxiing traffic manager”. In addition, the employees there obtain a license from the Federal Office for Civil Aviation (FOCA) as “Ground Movement Manager”.

labor union

The union of the air traffic control union (GdF) is responsible for representing the interests of the apron controllers of Fraport AG and Flughafen München GmbH .

See also

literature

  • Hein, M., Kastner, M., Vogt, J .: Optimization potential of the interface between central apron and area control at German airports . Faculty of Human Sciences and Theology, University of Dortmund 2003.
  • Busacker, T., Kastner, M., Vogt, J .: Increase in airport capacity through modeling and optimization of airport-ground taxiing traffic - a contribution to a future taxiing system . Faculty V - Transportation and Machine Systems, Institute for Aerospace, Technical University Berlin 2004.
  • Müller, A., Petru, R., Englmann, I., Glaser, J., Nowak, D. & Angerer, P .: Occupational medical and occupational psychological examination of the stress and strain situation in the apron control at Flughafen München GmbH . Institute for Occupational Medicine and Chair for Psychology, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich 2008.
  • FLUG REVUE: Professions in Aviation - Apron Controller In: FlugRevue. Edition 6/2011.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Flughafen Erfurt GmbH: Employee for the traffic control center / apron control (PDF; 33 kB). Call for applications from July 17, 2013
  2. ↑ FRA Vorfeldkontrolle GmbH: Applicant for Apron Controller (m / f) (Trainee (m / f) Apron Control) . Call for applications from September 2017
  3. ^ Frankfurter Neue Presse: Simulation system In: Frankfurter Neue Presse. 27th September 2017.
  4. ↑ Der Tagesspiegel: BER security staff waiting In: Der Tagesspiegel. February 6, 2013.
  5. ↑ Flughafen Zürich AG: Apron Controller - everything under control (PDF; 2.9 MB) In: AeroRevue (Zurich Airport). Edition 10/2012, p. 7.
  6. ↑ aero.de aviation news:Fraport and pilot union end dispute over millions (07/14/2017)
  7. ↑ Flight controller 2007/03 (p. 31-33):MUC Apron: "Royal Bavarian Apron Control" (PDF; 2.1 MB)