DFS pioneers the implementation of Mode S in Europe

Since 2 March 2009, the MSCC has been used in operations at the DFS control centres Munich and Langen for flights between Frankfurt and Munich. Instead of the Mode 3/A code, aircraft are now assigned the fixed conspicuity code A1000. In addition, the 7-digit aircraft identification as entered manually by pilots appears on the radar screen to correlate flight plan and aircraft. Each aircraft is assigned a unique, fixed 24-bit address that is used for tracking targets. Installing Mode S significantly reduces the radio frequency congestion because the continuous all call interrogations by radar and the replies by all Mode 3/A transponders are no longer necessary. Instead, Mode S data can be requested and displayed via a selective roll call. This greatly increases the detection accuracy and eliminates garbling. Selective interrogation considerably enhances safety, capacity and efficiency. Using Mode S codes significantly reduces the number of required Mode 3/A individual codes, which until now we have had to assign to each pilot for each flight. This is a major step towards meeting the challenge posed by the expected rise in air traffic in Europe in the future, says Frank Brenner, Director of the business unit Control Centre at DFS. This year MSCC is to be implemented on more air services in German airspace apart from the city pair Frankfurt-Munich.