Communications, Navigation and Surveillance Services

Contacts

     The communications, navigation and surveillance services are provided all over the Vilnius Flight Information Region.

     Delivering flight safety in this region is supported by the currently operating communications, navigation and surveillance facilities, meeting the international civil aviation standards. Maintenance of these facilities is performed by highly-qualified specialists. The enterprise annually allocates considerable funds for their skills development and it means investment not only into successful day-to-day issue solution, but also investment into the future.

     Navigation systems are designed to provide crew members with the precise information on the position of aircraft in the airspace.

     For the purpose of providing air navigation services the following radio navigation facilities are used:

      In 2012 new DVOR/DME equipment was installed in Klaipėda. Adjustment works for the equipment will be completed in the first half of 2013. When CAA issues a suitablility certificate, the equipment will be put into operation.  

    DVOR/DME or VOR/DME complexes, operating in the Vilnius Flight Information Region (FIR) form a special navigation data field, providing crew members with the precise information on the position of an aircraft in the airspace.

     Instrument landing systems (ILS) provide information on the position of an aircraft with respect to a runway. Lithuanian airports are equipped with ILS of ICAO category I, permitting precision approach with a decision height of 60 m and a visibility of 800 m. Landing direction in respect of a runway is strictly observed. Radar surveillance systems provide air traffic controllers with the precise information (with an error of 300 metres) on the position of aircraft in a radar control zone. Alongside with precise coordinates, additional messages on the flight altitude, speed, flight profile, route and other relevant information is displayed.

     The Vilnius FIR air traffic control system uses data of four radars (Vilnius, Kaunas, Palanga and Gdansk) providing primary and secondary radar information. In this way double radar coverage of the airspace of Vilnius FIR is achieved. In Kaunas control zone (CTR) and Kaunas terminal control area (TMA) autonomous air traffic control equipment was launched in 2010. In 2012 implementation of new automated air traffic control system was started in Palanga Air Traffic Control Centre. According to the schedule, the new equipment has to be launched in May–June  2013.

     State-of-the-art communications systems ensure continuous information exchange with crew members and air traffic controllers in all phases of a flight as well as uninterrupted data sharing with the neighbouring centres. 

     Air traffic control hardware and software are continuously upgraded to meet the latest requirements set down by the European Union and to deliver flight safety.