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Using Pléiades Neo to improve ...
Using Pléiades Neo to improve aviation safety and support ICAO regulations
eTOD Area 2 zones and captured Obstacles around Dakar GOBD airport
The ASECNA, the Agency for Aerial Navigation Safety in Africa and Madagascar, based in Dakar, faced the critical challenge of managing aeronautical data over 30 international airports. In compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization requirements (ICAO Annex 15), ASECNA needed to establish electronic Terrain and Obstacle Data (eTOD) and Aerodrome Mapping Database (AMDB) datasets for these airports - a task demanding significant investment, meticulous planning, and high precision.
To address this challenge, ASECNA started with Dakar’s new International Aiport Blaise Diagne (GODB) as a pilot project and partnered with CGX AERO and Airbus for its implementation. The project required adherence to ICAO’s stringent eTOD and AMDB requirements, which demand the highest standards of accuracy, freshness, completeness and integrity.
This approach included comprehensive support, such as knowledge transfer on regulations, formats, processes and quality assurance, as well as best practices for digital dataset origination and maintenance.
Obstacles integration in Data4Flight® and sample of 3D captured objects in Pléiades Neo stereo images
To meet ASECNA’s needs, Airbus used the advanced capabilities of the Pléiades Neo satellite constellation, offering 30 cm native resolution imagery to capture highly detailed data with a high level of accuracy. The project’s phased implementation strategy was as follows:
- Data Acquisition: The most stringent eTOD area of interest extending around Dakar airport (Area 2abc, ~400 km²) was captured within a few days by Pléiades Neo satellites in stereo mode, ensuring exceptional precision. Those images were the foundation for accurately extracting initial eTOD and AMDB datasets.
AMDB integration in Data4Flight® (CGX AERO)
- Ground survey and validation: A ground survey mission was conducted to collect additional data, which was used to complete and verify the accuracy of the digital datasets. To ensure dataset integrity, a second independent ground survey provided a validation subsampling dataset, followed by rigorous independent validation processes to meet the highest standards.
- Data management: The finalised Obstacles and AMDB data were integrated into an AIXM 5.1 compliant database, ensuring full alignment with international standards.
Throughout the project, Airbus and CGX AERO have supported ASECNA in navigating the regulatory approval process with national authorities, ensuring that the data met all operational and safety requirements.
Pléiades Neo image of the airport / AMDB dataset of Dakar Airport
Pléiades Neo stereo images had provided numerous benefits to ASECNA:
- Very-high resolution and accuracy with extensive coverage: The 30 cm resolution of the Pléiades Neo satellites allowed for the detection of small but critical thin obstacles, such as poles and telecom antennas with heights as low as 3 meters. The high resolution also enabled the clear identification of small ground markings essential for completing the AMDB dataset.
- Efficiency and safety: The use of satellite imagery eliminated the need for disruptive on-site operations, allowing data collection without impacting airport traffic. This approach bypassed the logistical complexities and weather-related challenges associated with traditional aerial surveys, resulting in smoother and more reliable operations.
- Regulatory compliance: By integrating highly accurate ground control points (GCPs) in the process, the 3D capture from satellite imagery met ICAO’s stringent eTOD and AMDB accuracy requirements. The comprehensive validation process ensured that all datasets were accurate, complete, and compliant with international standards, supporting ASECNA’s regulatory and operational objectives.
In summary, the collaboration between CGX AERO, Airbus, and ASECNA successfully leveraged Pléiades Neo satellite technology to enhance aeronautical data management, providing a robust, efficient, and compliant solution for the region’s air navigation needs.
3D view of eTOD surfaces and Obstacles around Dakar airport
- CGX Aero :
CGX Aero has been involved in designing, developing, and delivering aviation software to enhance the capabilities of major geographic information systems for the aviation industry. Initially focused on software, their expertise later expanded to include specialized aviation services and aeronautical engineering, enabling a broader range of solutions to be offered to clients.
- ASECNA (Agence pour la sécurité de la navigation aérienne en Afrique et à Madagascar) :
Bringing together 19 member states, ASECNA is the oldest institution for cooperation and integration in Africa and Madagascar. It is a public establishment with legal personality and financial autonomy that oversees 10 area control centers, 57 control towers, 25 international airports and 76 national and regional airports.
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CGX Aero’s technical proposal was very convincing as it positioned itself from the outset as the integrator of aeronautical data, with the acquisition subcontracted to Airbus. This method of data acquisition via satellites presents several technical and economic advantages for ASECNA, as its very well suited to our context, which includes a multitude of sites spread over a geographical area of 17 Million km2.
Hamet Sylla
Project manager eTOD AMDB at ASECNA
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