The 44th IFATSEA (International Federation of Air Traffic Safety Electronics Associations) General Assembly was held in Rome from 20 to 24 October as an occasion to revise the Federation's policy and for all stakeholders to share views and Experience.

ENAV presented two projects, the first relates to the concept of Remote Tower and is meant for the remote provision of air traffic control services and the maintenance or improvement of service levels.

Among topics illustrated were the technical and operational characteristics offered by this solution and expected benefits. In particular a RACOON (Remote Airport Concept Of Operation) project was presented. RACOON is coordinated by ENAV and forms part of a set of demo activities promoted by the SESAR Joint Undertaking. RACOON has a two-year duration (2014-2016) and involves a consortium of high-level international businesses. RACOON is intended to demonstrate how the combination of Remote Tower and RNP Approach Procedures with vertical guidance (APV BARO / LPV SBAS) may imply performance benefits in the operating context of the Milan Linate and Malpensa airports, while keeping the ATC level high with sustainable costs.
 
ENAV also presented a Link IT project for the introduction of Data Link communication between Pilots and Air Traffic Controllers as a add-on to conventional voice communication.

The project forms part of EUROCONTROL's Link2000 programme for the harmonisation and operational implementation of applications in Europe. ENAV is starting up a proprietary network for the in-house management of ATS Data Link communication similar to the management of conventional voice communication, and for the provision of AOC (Aeronautical Operational Control) services for airlines, which will make ENAV a Communication Service Provider (CSP).

In the European multi-provider context, ENAV's Data Link solution offers highly innovative technological peculiarities, such as the new HMI and DUAL SQUITTER functionality making the system unique in Europe in terms of technical and operational efficiency.

The system has already been tested with real flights in cooperation with a few airlines and in the context of SESAR demonstration projects and performed optimally.

In line with the SESAR ATM Master Plan, ENAV considers the introduction of its Data Link a driver for the future of ATM and has therefore committed to a number of international initiatives to support its own model and contribute to medium and long term developments.