Business Aviation Services Editor

Curt Epstein

A new high-tech voice communication control system recently approved by the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority has been installed in the ATC center at London Biggin Hill Airport. Created by Netherlands-based Micro Electronics Products, the quarter-million-dollar system known as TCP990 includes a central electronic processor in the control tower that integrates and processes all inputs from UHF and VHF channels, personnel and emergency radio units as well as a slate of pre-selected contacts at each controller position and on the ATC assistant desk. The touchscreen-driven systems can quickly draw up a list of essential contacts in the correct order in case of an emergency and can establish communications with them instantaneously. The new system also logs and records all ATC communications as required.

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