One flight, one code: CCAMS operational in Ukraine

Until now, SSR codes have been statically allocated to States and assigned to flights by Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs), based on a pre-defined scheme. The current static system of code allocation is running out of codes at peak times in some parts of Europe and this problem will become more acute with the expected increase in traffic. CCAMS, a service based on a central server located at the EUROCONTROL Network Manager Operations Centre in Brussels, will assign a deconflicted code to each flight operating in the European CCAMS region.

By managing code assignment on a central basis, the optimal use of codes can be achieved.The reduction of code changes and conflicts has a positive impact on controllers and pilots workload as well as on ground delays. CCAMS is a tool of the Network Manager to improve ATM Performance and manage scarce resources, says Joe Sultana, Chief Operating Officer of EUROCONTROLs Network Management Directorate.

CCAMS optimises the efficiency of European SSR transponder code management: it automatically selects and distributes the code to all the units along the route of the flight and responds to code requests received from ATC units in near real-time.It also guarantees the most efficient use of codes within the European network and will be beneficial in case of network crisis or special events such as major sporting occasions in Europe.

In the course of 2012, 13 other European ANSPs (Albania, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Lithuania, Moldova, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Turkey and United Kingdom) will implement CCAMS.