On Wednesday 19 June, the National Aerospace Laboratory of the Netherlands (NLR) and Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) Avionics signed a contract at the International Paris Air Show, held every two years at Paris-Le Bourget Airport. Under the terms of the contract, NLR will support AVIC Avionics in setting up an Air Traffic Management (ATM) research laboratory. NLR will assist AVIC Avionics in drawing up requirements for the simulation infrastructure that will form part of the new research laboratory. AVIC employees will also receive training in Amsterdam in designing and conducting simulations.
New aviation technologies and procedures are tried out and tested in a simulator before they are put into operation. This allows researchers to assess the expected environmental, economic and safety performance prior to the operational stage. NLR has extensive experience in conducting simulations for the development of Dutch and European ATM systems. For this purpose NLR uses state-of-the-art facilities like the NLR ATC Research Simulator (NARSIM) and the Generic Research Aircraft Cockpit Environment (GRACE). AVIC Avionics and NLR have signed a MOU and work together for many years already.
Aviation is a global industry and harmonizing ATM systems across different countries and continents is therefore of the utmost importance. In Europe, NLR is active in various projects, including the Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR) programme. NLR expects that its contract with AVIC Avionics will contribute to the development of a Chinese ATM system that is seamlessly aligned with European systems. Among other benefits, this will enable European airlines to optimize their flight schedules to China and thus enhance their competitive position in relation to other airlines.
AVIC is a Chinese state-owned aerospace and defence company with a staff of approx. 400,000 employees. It is active in the field of air transport manufacturing and general aviation, and produces helicopters, engines, aircraft systems and automobiles.
For further information, please contact our Marketing & Strategy Manager Aerospace Industry.
Signing of the AVIC-NLR ATM contract
