Aircraft Tracking
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| LADR Location of an Aircraft in Distress Repository Click HERE to access the LADR | Operational contact details for ANSPs and Operators (Authorized users only) OPS CTRL is part of the LADR | Understanding the Global Aeronautical Distress and Safety System (GADSS) | Guidance on the autonomous distress tracking equipage requirements
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Historical Background
Shortly after the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, a special Multidisciplinary Meeting on Global Flight Tracking (MMGFT) was convened at the ICAO Headquarters in Montréal, Canada, to propose recommendations for future actions. One of the main decisions taken was the need for operators to pursue global tracking of airline flights at a faster pace.
The Global Aeronautical Distress and Safety System (GADSS) concept of operations was initiated at this meeting. The GADSS concept describes in an evolutionary manner the execution of actions in short, medium, and long terms with each action resulting in benefits. The first steps in implementing the GADSS can be taken in the short term by implementing the Aircraft Tracking solutions as proposed by the Industry-led Aircraft Tracking Task Force (ATTF) for commercial air transport and by addressing the areas of improvement identified in the GADSS Document.
During the second High-Level Safety Conference (HLSC) in February 2015, the delegates supported the GADSS concepts of operations and called upon the ICAO to lead the conduct of a Normal Aircraft Tracking Implementation Initiative (NATII) using existing technologies. A NATII Steering Committee, with global participation, was formed, and the Asia Pacific Region was selected as a representative area of operations for the initiative.
With the cooperation of numerous industry, regulatory, and other interested stakeholders who formed the GADSS Advisory Group, the different elements of the original GADSS concept were further refined, developed, and implemented. The full system now in place is explained Here.
Aircraft Tracking News!
| Date | Event |
| 2 - 5 February 2015 | The Second ICAO High-Level Safety Conference (HLSC 2015) [Presentation] [Working Papers] |
| 12 June 2015 | Global Aeronautical Distress & Safety System (GADSS) concept of operations by the Adhoc Working Group on Aircraft Tracking [Report] |
| 1 September 2015 | Normal Tracking Implementation Initiative (NATII) update [Report] [Australian Enhanced Flight Tracking Evaluation] |
| March 2016 | ICAO Council adoption of GADSS-related provisions for aircraft tracking and location of an aeroplane in distress. |
| 2017 | Additional complementary Standards related to the practical implementation of aircraft tracking adopted. |
| 2018 | Aircraft tracking amendment to Annex 6, Part I becomes applicable. OPS Control Directory established providing operational contact details for Operators and ANSPs. |
| 2019 | Initial development of the functional specifications for the Location of an Aircraft in Distress Repository (LADR). |
| 2020 | LADR proof of concept workshop using prototype system. |
| 2021 | Operator provisions relating to GADSS adopted into PANS-OPS, covering the need for the establishment of monitoring and training for operators. |
| 2022 | Eurocontrol identified as the developer and host of the ICAO LADR Benin identified as the developer and host of a Satellite LADR system |
| 2023 | LADR Phase I development completed for pre-operational testing. |
| 2024 | LADR was launched on 25 June 2024. |
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