Elec Telegraph: Air traffic control OK

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http://www.telegraph.co.uk:80/et?ac=000154642417163&rtmo=3qKKxHAM&atmo=99999999&pg=/et/99/3/30/ncaa30.html

ISSUE 1404, Tuesday, 30 March, 1999

CAA 'ready for the Millennium', By Paul Marston, Transport Correspondent

THE skies over Britain should be safe when the Millennium arrives, the Civil Aviation Authority said yesterday.

But it admitted that air traffic control could still face disruption caused by power or telecommunications failures, and reaffirmed that it had no influence over the state of readiness of traffic systems in other countries.

In a presentation for the Government, leaders of the CAA subsidiary, National Air Traffic Services, reported that they had completed a successful test of 27 critical systems with computer times set to Dec 31 1999 and run over the date change.

The test involved airspace movements at Heathrow, Stansted, Manchester and Prestwick, the Scottish area control centre. It followed three years of work on the Year 2000 problem by 450 engineers, and the checking and, where necessary, correcting of 870 operational and support systems.

Bill Semple, chief executive, said NATS was doing everything it could to ensure a normal service. "Our declaration of readiness for Year 2000 is an important milestone in that process," he added.

However, work is continuing on assessment of the risk of protracted failure of external services such as electricity or telephone.

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), March 30, 1999

Answers

COOL!

Now that THEY'RE done,can we get the FAA to hire them? Quick!!

Jolly

-- Jollyprez (jolly@prez.com), March 30, 1999.


Hi, Old Git (Is it safe to ask after Nelson?)

Canadians are reporting all is well for air traffic controllers, too.

CBC News

For educational purposes only:

Updated: March 30, 12:20 am

Y2K / Airports

If you've been cautious about flying this New Year's Eve from either Edmonton or Vancouver due to the possibility of a Y2K bug, rest a little easier. Nav Canada tested crucial systems at both international airports and they made the grade. The Edmonton airport computer clocks were advanced to January 1st and nothing untoward happened during early morning simulated flights. Vancouver passed a similar test during regular hours. That is encouraging news for the entire country's air traffic control systems, since they are all virtually identical.

Edmonton y2k Test

NAV CANADA's Edmonton Y2K Test a Success

OTTAWA, March 29 /CNW/ - NAV CANADA today announced the successful completion of another test of its Air Traffic Control system in preparation for the changeover to the Year 2000.

The radar and tracking systems at the Edmonton Area Control Centre (ACC), located at Edmonton International Airport, were the subjects of the most recent two-part test. The Edmonton ACC provides control, advisory and alerting services for aircraft in the Western Flight Information Region.

On February 28, the rollover from February 28, 2000 to February 29, 2000 was simulated to confirm that system software recognizes the year 2000 as a leap year. Then, on March 6, 1999, the system dates were advanced and allowed to rollover from December 31, 1999, to January 1, 2000.

``From an engineering perspective, one of the most effective tools to flush out the uncertainty and to build up confidence is test, test and re-test,'' noted Sidney Koslow, the company's Vice President, Engineering.

Prior to the Edmonton testing taking place, all codes were checked, tested and certified Y2K compliant by NAV CANADA engineers at its state-of-the-art Technical Systems Centre in Ottawa. During the Edmonton site testing, which was completed during the early morning hours, the systems were fully exercised using simulated air traffic. No problems affecting air traffic operations were found. Back-up systems were in place for the duration of the testing.

This test follows the successful completion of a three-week test in January of the Mirabel Air Traffic Control radar system. ``I'm pleased by the results of our testing to date,'' said David Honkanen, the company's Y2K Project Manager, who was in Edmonton for the testing. ``The support and involvement of management and staff in the work of the Y2K Project Office is indicative of NAV CANADA's commitment to being Year 2000-ready.''

NAV CANADA, the country's provider of civil air navigation services, is a not-for-profit, private corporation with operations coast to coast providing air traffic control, flight information, weather briefings, airport advisory services and electronic aids to navigation.

-- Rachel Gibson (rgibson@hotmail.com), March 30, 1999.


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