2012-11-02 — /travelprnews.com/ — After months of testing, discussion, feedback, revision and finalization, Winnipeg Airports Authority, NAV CANADA and Team Eagle celebrated the successful ‘go-live’ of the much-anticipated automated runway surface condition reporting system ‘SNOWiz’.
SNOWiz is an innovative web-based infrastructure capable of handling incoming electronic runway surface condition reports in common formats such as NOTAMJ and ICAO SNOWTAM, and then disseminating them instantly to the user community such as airlines and pilots over the web. The improvement in data transmission and common message format is anticipated to create meaningful benefits to all aviation stakeholders.
“October 1, 2012 was a great day for runway surface condition reporting in Canada. We eagerly anticipated the data collection occurring on the ground in Winnipeg, and then the transfer of data to the NAV CANADA SNOWiz,” states Olivier Meier, NAV CANADA’s Project Manager for this initiative. “Although this system has been tested successfully many times over the past year, it was a terrific feeling to see the real, live surface condition transmissions occurring from the Winnipeg Richardson International Airport through the Team Eagle WinterOps™ system.”
“We are pleased to be part of this innovative partnership and be chosen as the pilot airport for this project,” said Bruce Applin, Manager, Airfield and Groundside Services, Winnipeg Airports Authority. “Our team is proud to see the system go live with such success and be leaders in benefits to stakeholders in aviation.”
During the month of October and beyond, other airports using the WinterOps™ runway surface condition reporting system are also planning to go live.
“Our partnerships with the industry including our partner airports, have created a remarkable system that we can all be proud of, and as more airports come on line, the value of the system during winter operations will grow exponentially,” says Tiina Maripuu, Team Eagle’s Manager of Software Development. “The interest in what we are doing here is gaining international recognition as well. Other countries are also looking to improve their safety standards by using a common message format over the web, for the runway surface condition reporting.”
The world’s leading supplier of snow and ice removal equipment, ARFF vehicles, GPS/GIS situational awareness, Safety Management Systems, and Digital Inspection and Monitoring Systems for today’s airfield management professionals. For more information on Team Eagle, please visit www.team-eagle.ca or contact Tiina Maripuu, Manager, Software Development at 1-866-241-3264,tiinam@team-eagle.ca.
About Winnipeg Airports Authority Inc.:
Winnipeg Airports Authority is a non-share capital corporation responsible for the management and operation of Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport and affiliate businesses. WAA receives no operating funding from any level of Government. Winnipeg Airports Authority serves our region by providing value to our customers and community. A source of pride for our community, we strive to be a leader in its growth and development. For more information on Winnipeg Airports Authority, please visit www.waa.ca or contact Christine Payne, Director, Communications & Public Affairs at 204.992-2791, Twitter @YWGairport.
About NAV CANADA:
NAV CANADA is Canada’s private sector civil air navigation service provider. With operations from coast to coast to coast, NAV CANADA provides air traffic control, flight information, weather briefings, aeronautical information services, airport advisory services and electronic aids to navigation. For more information on NAV CANADA, please visit www.navcanada.ca or contact Olivier Meier, Manager Program and Projects at 1-613-248-4286, olivier.meier@navcanada.ca.
###