FOSAIR Consoles populate NATS new air traffic control centre at Prestwick

Driven by the search for safety through innovation and efficiency, the NATS development team planned with foresight a new and flexible approach to the new advances in ATM technology, the need for integration throughout Europe, and the reduction of air pollution. The FOSAIR Controller Console was chosen as the most adaptable modular work platform available to service NATS over the next 25 years. The development team painstakingly investigated the potential changes in technology likely to come on stream over two decades, the capabilities of ATCOs to manage change, the comfort of operatives and above all, levels of safety that needed to be maintained. The FOSAIR console provided multi-task and interchangeable configurations and with all above top hardware suspended a perfect ergonomic solution for the health and safety of controllers. The front-loading hardware access feature within the console, allowed NATS to increase the number of consoles at the new Centre by approximately 30%, giving future expansion capabilities. The foresight at planning stage ensured:

• User acceptance
• Interoperability with other 'systems' within Europe
• Easy non-disruptive upgrades and migration paths to new generation technology
• Technical and Human Factor compliance.
• The ability to manage controlled air space to minimum carbon emission.
• Common working practices for Controllers throughout the UK.