GéoTITAN takes off: the first software package for creating and managing RNAV routes

Citation

(1998), "GéoTITAN takes off: the first software package for creating and managing RNAV routes", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 70 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.1998.12770fab.018

GéoTITAN takes off: the first software package for creating and managing RNAV routes

GéoTITAN takes off: the first software package for creating and managing RNAV routes

Keywords ENAC, Navigation, Software

ENAC ­ the French national civil aviation school ­ has developed a software package for creating and managing flight paths and airspace from a workstation which has access to all the necessary data. GéoTITAN integrates all ICAO recommendations and reportedly automatically disallows choices which do not conform to the regulations.

The GéoTITAN system offers the capabilities of the GEOCONCEPT geographical information system developed by Alsoft (Plate 13). It inputs all the information required for route planning: it includes terrain relief data (from digitized terrain files) and also provides aeronautical data (radio resources, space restrictions, aerodrome locations etc.) and geographical data (from scanned maps).

From a workstation (top-end PC with two 21-inch screens), the user creates trajectories (en route flights and instrument approaches and departures) by plotting aeronautical objects on the screen using the mouse. The background display of scanned maps provides an instant depiction of the environmental impact of the trajectories, especially for take-off and landing. Working from digitized terrain files, the software computes minimum flight altitudes for all types of flights, to guarantee obstacle clearance within regulatory margins. The software can also plot RNAV (surface navigation) flight paths for en route use.

For optimum operational flexibility, the software uses extensive databases and computes flight routes and points in the WGS/84 terrestrial reference system, integrating all regulations and recommendations of the International Civil Aviation Organization. Flight routes and significant points are plotted in strict observance of the rules governing flight over terrain relief. For each route, the system automatically computes the required protection area and displays this on the screen.

Plate 13 The GéoTITAN system

Where applicable, the GéoTITAN system leads the way toward new working practice, bringing greater creativity, substantial time savings, maximum safety, logging of background studies (with time-tagged database entries) and full data archiving capabilities.

The GéoTITAN software can be installed in existing systems to provide full computer-aided route-planning solutions. This service is provided through ENAC's partner company, CGxgraphique.

For further information contact ENAC. Tel: +33 562 17 40 05; Fax: +33 562 17 40 24.