California’s San Bernardino International Airport (KSBD) is the first airfield to implement Collins Aerospace’s Tower MicroElite (TME) system, an FAA-approved airborne position reference tool. The approval allows airports to deploy TME at eligible FAA contract tower airports and privately operated air traffic control facilities.
TME enhances situational awareness at towers without access to FAA traffic feeds such as radar or other surveillance systems, so controllers must rely on visual observation of air traffic. “Many smaller airports rely on visual observation and radio calls to control traffic,” said Nicole White, v-p and general manager of connected aviation at Collins Aerospace. “TME provides true real-time modern surveillance.”
Installing TME is less costly and simpler versus a dedicated radar system. “TME is a turnkey display and surveillance solution,” she said, “providing a clear real-time picture of their airspace by combining ADS-B and the radar surveillance feed. There is no major infrastructure, and it’s efficient in a wide range of environments.”
For controllers, the interface is familiar because Collins designed TME based on its Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System, “providing controllers a familiar, industry-standard interface to monitor and manage complex aircraft sequencing,” according to the company.
TME can be deployed at any airport, White said. “It’s customizable, and the displays and overlays can be tailored to their unique needs and geography. This allows them to configure the system to what’s best for their use.”
Timing of the first deployment of TME coincides with the FAA’s plans to modernize the National Airspace System. “We’re excited to get it into the field,” she said. “We have a team of experts out actively talking to a lot of these contract towers and airports.”
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