Have you ever wondered how the pilots know which way to approach an airport for a safe landing? Or how information is transferred between the various parties involved so that the same information is available at the same time in Finland and other European countries? Systematic, up-do-date and precise information is the key to everything at the AIS unit of Fintraffic Air Navigation Services. What is the job of this unit, invisible to the public at large? What is its role in the big picture of the aviation industry? What is the expertise required for this precision work?
The job of the Aeronautical Information Service (AIS) unit of Fintraffic Air Navigation Services is to ensure that the international aviation information system functions in Finland’s territory. The purpose of this information system is to ensure the transmission of information that is vital to the safe, regular and financially viable operating of domestic and international air traffic.
“Our unit publishes the national aeronautical information package (AIP Finland), which contains details for all aerodromes in Finland, such as their opening hours and services available. We also produce maps of airfields and of Finland’s airspace, furnished with the information essential for safe and smoothly flowing air traffic, for the use of air traffic control and pilots. Our work is governed by detailed international regulations,” says Mika Suorto, head of the AIS unit.
Wide range of map products covering various stages of flight
One of the important duties of the AIS is to make available a variety of map products. This is a support function for air traffic. The maps are used by air traffic controllers, among others. The details shown on the maps are also displayed on ATC radar screens and in aircraft onboard systems.
“Our map products include airfield maps, approach charts covering an area around an aerodrome showing the approach directions, and procedure charts for aircraft approaching an airfield on instrument approach procedures. We are also responsible for aeronautical maps showing all of Finland’s airspace with things like the flight corridors along which overflying aircraft are directed,” explains Jussi Kivelä, AIM Development Manager at Fintraffic Air Navigation Services.
“Our largest map, the 1:500,000 Aviation Map, is a map of Finland in seven segments that is used by general aviators in particular. It shows the various levels of airspace around aerodromes; hazardous, prohibited and restricted areas; and obstacles. For instance, there are a lot of wind farm projects going on, and it is thus important to consult an up-to-date map before filing a flight plan,” says Kristiina Wilska, planning manager at Fintraffic Air Navigation Services.
The maps produced by the unit are very varied, covering various stages of flight and aimed at a plurality of users. The maps are published as part of AIP Finland, a document that is available for free at www.ais.fi. The AIS unit at Fintraffic Air Navigation Services produces maps of 24 aerodromes. There are a dozen maps for each location, totalling some 400 different maps in all.
“In addition to aviation maps, we have other products such as maps of aircraft stands, showing where at each airfield aircraft are to be parked. This document shows things like what the paving is on any given stand, which in turn determines what kind of aircraft can be parked there,” says Sari Ajomaa, planning manager at Fintraffic Air Navigation Services.
Information link between various parties
In addition to producing maps, the AIS unit is responsible for the functioning of the international aviation information system in Finland. Each country has its own information system, but the information must be provided in precise compliance with a common global format so that all systems worldwide will be able to read it. The operations of the AIS have been ISO 9001 certified for more than 20 years.
“Our job is to ensure that the information we provide is intact and correct and is transmitted according to the internationally agreed timetable. We are a link in the information chain that devises and publishes aeronautical information products on the basis of data such as location data and characteristics provided by aerodrome operators. The aerodrome operators get data from measurements conducted by terrain surveyors. Those who get information from us, in turn, process that information so that it is usable in the systems of their aircraft. Aviators, as the end users, then have access to that information while in flight,” explains Ajomaa.
The aim is that in the future paper can be discarded altogether and that the information will be in digital form all through the chain.
“Aircraft can fly safely from one country to another when all information is consistently integrated worldwide. It is vital that all countries receive the same information at the same time. Our development work includes considering how we can fit the necessary data into the universal international data model,” says Kivelä.
The trend towards a more data-driven and automated service will lead to a service that always provides up-to-date data for operations, available for downloading directly into the system of each operator involved. Data quality development is an important aspect of development efforts.
Work requires diligence and ability to see the big picture
Work at the AIS requires precision, diligence and a good ability to see the big picture. An analytical mindset and cartographic competence are advantages. There are various functions involved, from data reception and processing through map production to data management.
“Our working days involve these areas and also meetings and liaising with other operators in Europe to enhance the international dimension. The maps are already in a uniform format, but we still have work to do in standardising data,” says Kivelä.
“In this job, it is important to understand how everything is connected to everything else. It is also important to understand what it means to encode the real world into various data models. There must be no conflicts in the unity of information between data, maps and other applications,” says Ajomaa.
There are no internationally set qualification requirements for job duties at this unit, but applicants are required to have relevant professional qualifications. The AIS unit employs 12 professionals who variously have backgrounds in air navigation services or university studies in cartography and geographical information. The unit is based at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, but the employees have been working remotely during the pandemic with no problems.
“Our greatest strengths are our team spirit and everyone’s willingness to lend a hand to a colleague. It is a joy to be a supervisor in a flexible and highly competent expert team like this. Every one of them deserves praise,” says Suorto.
