Conditions for an airport operator to make use of an advanced surface movement guidance and control system (A-SMGCS) for the provision of apron management service

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

1.1. Statement of the problem

1.2. Approach

2. Elaboration on A-SMGCS

2.1. Development towards A-SMGCS

2.2. A-SMGCS Benefits

2.3. A-SMGCS functional criteria

2.3.1. Surveillance

2.3.2. Control

2.3.3. Routing/Planning

2.3.4. Guidance

2.4. The Four Levels of Implementation

2.4.1. A-SMGCS Level 1 & 2

2.4.2. A-SMGCS Level 3 & 4

2.4.3. Further documents

3. Relevance for the ANSP

3.1. Legal Basis: ICAO

3.2. Legal Basis: European Union

3.3. SES regulation and requirements for licensing

3.3.1. EC No 549/2004: the framework Regulation

3.3.2. EC No 550/2004: the service provision Regulation

3.3.3. EC No 551/2004: the airspace Regulation

3.3.4. EC No 552/2004: the interoperability Regulation

3.3.5. EC No 1070/2009: amendments to SES I Legislative Package

3.4. National Supervisory Authority in Germany

3.5. Requirements for certification

4. Relevance for the airport operator

4.1. Legal Basis ICAO: Apron Management Services

4.2. Legal Basis in Europe: SES regulations

4.2.1. Remit of EASA

4.2.2. EC No 216/2008: common rules in the field of civil aviation

4.2.3. EC No 1108/2009: Aerodromes, ATM, ANS, ATC

4.3. Regulatory structure in Germany

4.3.1. Political Hierarchy: The Federalism in Germany

4.3.2. German Aviation Law: LuftVG

4.3.3. German Aviation Regulation: LuftVZO

4.3.4. Chart: Political hierarchy of aviation law in Germany

5. New challenges for the approval authority

5.1. The way to a “Declaration of Capability“

5.2. Experts position

5.2.1. Questionnaire

5.2.2. Responses

6. Recommendation for a “Declaration of Capability“

6.1. Personal Opinion

6.2. Particular situation at Frankfurt Airport

7. Conclusion

8. Fields for further study

Objectives & Core Themes

This master thesis investigates the regulatory and administrative conditions for airport operators to implement an Advanced Surface Movement Guidance and Control System (A-SMGCS) for apron management services. The central research question focuses on identifying the responsible authorities for authorizing such systems and determining the compliance requirements within the evolving framework of the Single European Sky (SES) and German aviation law.

• Regulatory framework for A-SMGCS implementation in Europe and Germany.
• Distinction between Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) responsibilities and airport operator tasks.
• The role of EASA and national supervisory authorities in the certification process.
• Challenges for airport operators regarding the “Declaration of Capability” under European regulations.
• Case studies on the operational and administrative status at major German airports like Frankfurt and Munich.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

1. Introduction: Highlights the increasing bottleneck of airport capacity in Europe and introduces A-SMGCS as a strategic tool to improve efficiency while maintaining safety standards.

2. Elaboration on A-SMGCS: Describes the technical functions of surveillance, control, routing/planning, and guidance, and outlines the implementation levels developed by EUROCONTROL.

3. Relevance for the ANSP: Examines the legal foundations from ICAO to the SES legislative packages and discusses the role of National Supervisory Authorities and certification requirements.

4. Relevance for the airport operator: Focuses on the legal challenges for airport operators, specifically regarding the expansion of EASA's remit to include aerodromes and apron management.

5. New challenges for the approval authority: Discusses the transition to a “Declaration of Capability” and presents expert responses from major German airport operators.

6. Recommendation for a “Declaration of Capability“: Offers a personal recommendation on how to structure the approval process for A-SMGCS when used by airport operators.

7. Conclusion: Synthesizes the findings, emphasizing that while technical implementation is advanced, regulatory frameworks for airport-run apron management remain in an evolving state.

8. Fields for further study: Suggests future research regarding the transferability of the German federalism model to other EU states and the evolution of controller tasks through automation.

Keywords

A-SMGCS, Airport Operations, Apron Management Service, Air Traffic Management, European Aviation Safety Agency, Single European Sky, SESAR, Certification, Airport Capacity, Aerodrome Regulation, Surveillance, Germany, EASA, EUROCONTROL, Declaration of Capability

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the core subject of this thesis?

The thesis examines the legal and administrative requirements for airport operators to utilize Advanced Surface Movement Guidance and Control Systems (A-SMGCS) for apron management services within the regulatory environment of the Single European Sky.

What are the primary themes discussed?

Key topics include the technical capabilities of A-SMGCS, the legislative evolution of European ATM regulations (SES I & II), the role of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and the specific complexities of German aviation law.

What is the primary objective or research question?

The study aims to define the regulatory framework for an airport operator to legally provide apron management services using A-SMGCS and identify which authorities are responsible for granting operational approval.

Which scientific methodology is employed?

The author uses legal and policy analysis, relying on regulations, official ICAO/EUROCONTROL documentation, and primary qualitative data obtained through a questionnaire distributed to aviation stakeholders.

What is covered in the main body of the work?

The main part covers the technical description of A-SMGCS, the legal foundations (ICAO, EU Regulations), the specific role of the German National Supervisory Authority (BAF), and the current challenges regarding the "Declaration of Capability".

Which keywords best characterize this work?

A-SMGCS, Apron Management Service, Single European Sky (SES), EASA, Certification, and Aerodrome Regulation.

How does the federal structure of Germany complicate the certification process?

The German federal system delegates administrative authority for aerodromes to 16 individual state-level ministries, leading to a fragmented landscape of regulators compared to the centralized oversight of the ANSP by the Federal Supervisory Authority (BAF).

What is the status of apron controllers regarding official licensing?

Unlike Air Traffic Controllers who require a formal license and medical certificate, EASA has indicated that apron controllers do not currently fall under the same mandatory licensing requirements, instead coming under the airport operator's "Declaration of Capability".