Sea-Tac Ramp Controllers Getting Help From Sensis Surveillance Displays

The Port Authority of Seattle has purchased additional air traffic control displays from Sensis Corporation to provide surveillance to controllers managing ramp operations at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac).

By leveraging the real-time surveillance data provided by the recently commissioned Sensis ASDE-X system at Seattle, Sea-Tac ramp controllers can view the position of aircraft labeled with their call signs in Sea-Tac's ramp areas from a combination of data from surface movement radars and the multilateration of aircraft transponder signals.

Previously, the airport's ramp controllers had to rely on pilots to report their positions during low visibility and night operations.  Additionally, they can view this data on displays that feature an interface developed in consultation with air traffic controllers, ensuring an intuitive, streamlined display of information for ease of viewing.

Mike Ehl, the airport's director of airport operations, calls the system "invaluable," saying that because of the surveillance information it provides, airlines can better maintain their optimal pushback times, and "we can better manage to flight schedules to help ensure on-time arrivals and departures, especially in low-visibility operations."

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