Eurocontrol to Simulate VLJ Integration into European Airspace

Eurocontrol is preparing a simulation that will be carried out this year to assess how VLJs (very light jets) will be integrated into European airspace.

According to research studies conducted by the agency, there are about 440 VLJs currently on order for operation in Europe, of which at least 230 will be delivered by the end of 2010.  Overall, up to 100 additional aircraft, of all types, will enter into service each year in Europe, meaning about 700 more aircraft will be operating over the continent by 2015.

Eurocontrol believes the majority of VLJs will used as air taxis, making an average of two to three flights a day, adding 200 to 300 extra flights per day each year.

To ensure that this growth can be handled safely and efficiently, Eurocontrol has launched a group forum, called the European VLJs Integration Platform (VIP), which includes a large number of VLJ manufacturers and operators, to suggest how to best integrate VLJs into the European air traffic system.

Alex Hendriks, Eurocontrol's deputy director of ATM strategies, said VLJs will add a significant extra dimension to the complexity to Europe's air traffic because of their "very different speeds and cruising levels from current commercial jet aircraft, so we need to conduct an impact assessment to see how they will affect the network as a whole."

As a part of this evaluation, Eurocontrol will analyze on the technical requirements for onboard systems on VLJs to ensure that the fully-integrated avionics systems employed in some VLJs won't have difficulty adapting to Europe's particular navigation requirements.

"We also need to assess the technical requirements for onboard systems, including examining whether there is a requirement for ACAS [airborne collision avoidance system]," Mr. Hendriks said.  02-04-2008.

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