BULATSA
Who we are
The Bulgarian Air Traffic Services Authority (BULATSA) is a legal entity, established in 1969, which holds a certificate for the provision of Air Navigation Services (ANS).
Mission
“Provision of high quality Air Navigation Services, ensuring reliable and efficient operations while maintaining the highest levels of safety and diminishing the impact on the environment”.
History
The establishment of BULATSA is the result of a chain of events in the history of Bulgarian civil aviation:
- Following a government decision, the first civil aircraft were procured in 1922 and thus the beginning of civil aviation was laid in Bulgaria.
< >The first internal flight with a route Sofia – Varna – Rousse was performed on 8 November 1927. In 1930 the Sidna Airline (present-day Air France) launched a regular line along the route Paris – Prague – Sofia – Bourgas – Istanbul and return.In 1946 a Directorate on Air Communications was established subordinated to the Council of Ministers. In 1948 the Law on Aviation came into force and it went through a series of amendments over the years until the Civil Aviation Act of the Republic of Bulgaria evolved.In 1965 Bulgaria joined the SITA Communications Network. Operations with the first three en-route VHF omni-directional radio ranges (VOR) commenced in 1965, to be followed by the implementation of ten long-wave non-directional beacons (NDB) in 1966.State Enterprise "Bulgarian Air Transport" (TABSO);State Enterprise "Aviation for Special Purposes"; State Enterprise "Civil Airports" for the provision of air traffic services to civil flights over the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, as well as technical, terminal and commercial services to Bulgarian and foreign aircraft and other activities related to civil aviation;State Aeronautical Inspectorate with the Ministry of Transport for the control of civil air traffic and civil aircraft and the performance of duties delegated to the Minister of Transport by the Law on Civil Aviation.On 5 December 2012 BULATSA deployed a new air traffic control tower (TWR) at Sofia Airport. The construction of the new Sofia TWR was related to the reconstruction and development of Sofia Airport and is the natural extension of the development of the airport complex. The new Sofia TWR is situated to the west of Terminal 2 and is complementing the terminal building in architectural terms. The total built-up area of the Tower is 2,400 sq.m with 50 m height. The tower, financed entirely by BULATSA, is set up in accordance with the latest tendencies in Europe and has more than 40-year useable lifecycle. On November 14th, 2013 BULATSA and "Sofia Airport" EAD introduced procedures that allow aircraft operators to conduct approach and landing of aircraft in conditions of low visibility with CAT IIIB. Procedures now ensure landing under runway visibility of 75 meters (so far it was 200 meters for landing and 125 meters for takeoff). This innovation reduced the number of aircraft using reserved airports due to weather conditions and saved the inconveniences to passengers and airlines and that without leading to an increase in the service charges and the cost of tickets.In 2014 BULATSA commissioned a new centralized system for recording and replay of voice and digital information – RICOCHET. RICOCHET provides technical functionality for recording and replay of all communication channels related to the operational activities for ATS provision. The system allows investigating aviation occurrences and recreation of the actions of the Air Traffic Controllers (ATCOs) with the purpose of analyzing non-routine situations.
< >BULATSA’s Training Centre is another great asset we take great pride in. The training centre (TC) is certified for training of Air Traffic Controllers (ATCOs), in compliance with all European Regulations. The centre functions under the strict requirements of EUROCONTROL. The ATCO training encompasses the combination of theoretical courses, practical exercises, including simulations and on-the-job training, necessary for acquiring and maintaining skills for provision of safe, proper and expeditious air traffic control service.
BULATSA operates BEST (Beginning to End for Simulation & Training) to support the development of its training courses and the evolution of its ATC systems. The state-of the-art equipment includes 16 dual-role radar and tower controller workstations; a tower simulator with 4 controller positions and a 10 channel panoramic 3D display using large LCD panels in portrait mode; 16 pseudo-pilot workstations; the Fast Airport Builder and 3D modelling tools; speech recognition and synthesis; part-task trainers and a comprehensive package of user training, project services and support equipment. In addition the TC conducts examinations for assessing the language competency of the aviation personnel in compliance with the legal language requirements, specified in the Bulgarian Ministry of Transport legal requirements for Licensing of the Aviation Personnel. The test approved is Test of English for Aviation (T.E.A), product of Mayflower College, UK.
Deployment of A-SMGCS at Sofia Airport
< >BULATSA successfully implemented an Advanced-Surface Movement Guidance and Control System (A-SMGCS) at Sofia Airport, with Level 1 and intends to deploy a part of Level 2 functionalities for surveillance and control of the aircraft and the motor vehicles on the airport manoeuvring area. The new system provides safe and expeditious air traffic operations at all meteorological conditions at Sofia Airport, while raising the levels of safety, notwithstanding the increased intensity of flights. BULATSA management places a priority on the principle “lessons from the mistakes” over the principle of “penalty” thus stimulating the further development of the safety culture in the enterprise, taking into account essential characteristics such as (1) right attitude to safety; (2) common value system regarding the importance of the established organisational Safety Management System; (3) Just Culture; (4) culture of confidence in the sense of achievements and of understanding the importance of the system for compulsory and voluntary reporting; (5) culture of understanding the risks effects and training on the mistakes already made; (6) defining and understanding the existing system risks; (6) culture of sharing the acquired knowledge, experience and the best practices between the different BULATSA units and with its partners and clients.BULATSA is strongly committed to policies for minimising the impact on the environment. A sustainable development is at the core of our policies as we strive to reduce environmental pollution and comply with internal and internationally adopted legal requirements. We systematically monitor our environmental performance encourage our clients, suppliers and partners to also be conscious and responsible towards the perseverance of the environment and a sustainable development.
< >BULATSA implemented Quality Management System (QMS) in 2007 which in 2011 became part of the Integrated Management System (IMS), covering the areas of quality, health and safety, information security and environment in compliance with the international standards ISO 9001, BS OHSAS 18001, ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO 1400, all in accordance with the requirements of Regulation (EC) 1035/2011. The scope of the IMS encompasses the provision of Air Navigation Services (ANS), including the provision of: air traffic management, communication, navigation and surveillance services, aeronautical information services, aeronautical meteorological services, power supply services, metrology services and training of ANS-related personnel.
International Relations
As a part of the international aviation community, Republic of Bulgaria, together with BULATSA, are active and contributing members to the following organisations and initiatives:
1967 – The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)
1997 – The European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation (EUROCONTROL)
1991 – The European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC)
2004 – The Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO)
2011 – Functional Airspace Block DANUBE FAB (a founding member)
2013 – GATE ONE ANSP Platform (a founding member)
GATE ONE is a regional cooperation platform between Air Navigation Services Providers (ANSPs) in Central and Eastern Europe. It covers 3 Functional Airspace Blocks (Baltic FAB, Danube FAB and FAB CE) and 2 non-EU Flight Information Regions (FIRs) (Belgrade and Skopje). The cooperation agreement was officially signed on 6 November 2013 in Sofia, Bulgaria. The aim of GATE ONE is to explore potential areas of co-operation in ATM as well as to identify common strategic objectives of the Partners and represent those at the European level.
Challenges and New Solutions
Modernising the surveillance system with Mode S EHS capabilities
< >A recent and essential operational improvement has been the deployment of a Mode S Enhanced Surveillance (EHS) radar at Cherni Vrah site. The facility includes primary and secondary EHS compliant radars. The radar is of strategic importance for providing a comprehensive data-enhanced radar coverage as together with Sofia-site Mode S radar and the planned upgrade of Varbitsa radar complex (in 2017) with EHS capabilities. By virtue of bilateral agreements, the radar information is shared with Macedonia, Serbia, Greece, Romania, as well as with Hungarocontrol (in their mission to provide services in part of the Kosovo airspace). The utilisation of these last generation Mode S EHS radars provide significant operational benefits such as increased situational awareness for the air traffic controllers, progressive reduction of the radio telephony workload per flight and additional safety enhancements.As of April 28th 2016 BULATSA introduced procedures for approach and departure with satellite navigation for flights at Sofia Airport utilising performance-based navigation (PBN) procedures with vertical guidance (APV). The PBN/APV implementation for Burgas TMA was completed in 2015. The purpose is to optimize airspace management by implementation of the new procedures which allow for more flexible setting of the flight trajectories and directing airplanes out of densely populated areas. This is expected to increase the airspace capacity of Sofia Airport and reduce the noise impact, the fuel burn and the harmful emissions. In the short-term BULATSA envisages the introduction of these procedures in all Bulgarian civil airports, which places Bulgaria among the leading European countries pioneering the utilisation of this technology.
The project was completed successfully as a result of BULATSA’s participation in dedicated working groups, in the SHERPA and NASCIO projects, and with the support of partners from the European Commission, European GNSS Agency, ESSP, PILDO LABS and the Bulgarian Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Airspace re-organisation following the traffic pattern changes
< >The increasingly complex political situation in the region (Ukraine and Middle East), required changes in the Bulgarian airspace organisation. Optimizing airspace routes, including routes over part of Western Black Sea, was particularly needed due to the significant increase of air traffic following modified trajectories based on the operators’ risk assessment and procedures for circumnavigation of certain airspace volumes. BULATSA ensured the provision of improved service of air traffic in the region in response to the requirements of aviation operators for effective flight patterns connecting Europe to the Middle and the Far East. Efficient modification of aircraft trajectories was made possible via coordination activities between the countries in the region and with the active support of the Network Manager (NM, EUROCONTROL). Given the urgency of the situation and the significant increase in traffic, BULATSA’s intensive commitment to providing optimal service to flights thereby securing the safety and efficiency on regional level was strongly recognized by the aviation operators and ICAO.
Furthermore, Bulgaria, alongside the neighbouring states of Romania and Turkey, are jointly implementing a significant airspace re-organisation project at their respective airspace boundaries to better manage the increase in traffic, resulting from the crisis situation in the Black Sea area. This follows the excellent 2015 performance of the ANSPs – BULATSA, ROMATSA and DHMI – when they handled a sizeable amount of traffic in a very complex situation. The latest improvement provides extra options allowing the ANSPs to safely and efficiently manage additional traffic flows. BULATSA closely monitors the situation in the area and particularly during the 2016 summer season with intent to provide support to all ANSPs concerned in addressing any potentially complex situations.
Implementation of free route airspace (FRA)
< >In the end of 2013 BULATSA implemented the Free Route Airspace Concept into the airspace of the Republic of Bulgaria. This concept allows airspace users to freely plan a route via published way points and radio navigation aids without complying with the existing system of air routes. Initially the concept is applied at night (from 1:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. local time) for all aircraft performing flights above flight level 245 (7450 m). This has been a great achievement for BULATSA and in the long-term the application of the concept will result in reduced emissions from aviation activities and will contribute to achieving a faster, more efficient and more affordable air transport at higher levels of safety.
Record increase of handled air traffic
< >The summer of 2015 BULATSA reported a record number of serviced aircraft – a proof of the top quality and high level of our air traffic controllers and our organisation. In August alone BULATSA guaranteed the flight safety of more than 90 000 airplanes. For the whole active season, the traffic exceeded 478 000 serviced flights, which was a 40% increase compared to the period prior to the introduction of flight restrictions in part of the Ukrainian airspace. The company also preserved its excellent performance in non-admission of delays and successfully adapted to the increased traffic on a daily basis, caused by difficulties in the servicing and industrial actions in neighbouring states.
On the average over 1700 flights cross Bulgarian airspace per 24 hours and in the busiest periods their number reaches 3300.
Introduction of inter-FAB long-distance direct routing
< >As of 4 February 2016, BULATSA provides airspace users with the opportunity to fly long distance direct routes (or Long Range Directs – LRDs). This solution has been achieved in cooperation with the ANSPs of Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia. The new direct routes will connect key navigational control points in the airspaces of these five countries in the shortest route possible, which enables airlines to optimize their flight planning process and achieve significant fuel savings and environmental protection. LRDs represent a further step to the existing initiatives for implementation of Free Route Airspace, which already brings significant benefits for the airspace users.
Pilot Common Project (PCP) Implementation through CEF funding
< >CEF is a key EU funding instrument to promote growth, jobs and competitiveness through development of high performing, sustainable and efficiently interconnected trans-European networks in the fields of transport, energy and digital services. The allocation of CEF related grants is achieved through a careful selection of implementation applications.Funding of a BULATSA project through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). The European Commission has recently announced 197 co-financing proposals selected for 2015, BULATSAs’ applications being among them. The implementation proposals put forward by BULATSA are in the context of the SESAR Deployment Programme with a value of 2, 175, 306 EUR. One example is a project related to the introduction of a system for evaluation of air traffic complexity and work load of air traffic controllers.
Centralised Services
< >BULATSA is actively involved in EUROCONTROL’s initiative for organising and implementing Centralised Services (CS). A significant achievement is that BULATSA applied through separate consortia with other organisations for four CS calls for tender and has been ranked first in all four proposal’s selection process.
DANUBE FAB
< >BULATSA is part of the DANUBE functional airspace block (FAB), established in December 2011 between the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania. DANUBE FAB is one of nine functional airspace blocks in Europe and thus an essential element of the European Union’s Single European Sky (SES) legislative framework, which creates a system of measures for provision of sufficient capacity for servicing the increasing number of flights over Europe, decreasing the delays, improving the safety and cost-efficiency of the air navigation services, while reducing the impact on the environment. One of DANUBE FAB’s key accomplishments has been the establishment of two-cross border sectors marking the first time that a cross-border sector has been implemented under a FAB framework. The two cross-border sectors have been designed based on operational needs, demonstrating DANUBE FAB’s continued commitment to the Single European Sky, and in particular the optimum use of airspace within FABs regardless of national boundaries. The initiative represents a further step towards the defragmentation of European airspace – a key objective of the Single European Sky. Another achievement of DANUBE FAB is the joint procurement procedure for a new Voice Communication System – VCS within DANUBE FAB. Both ANSPs ensured full interoperability in the provision of “air-ground” and “ground-ground” communication services, as well as harmonization of the Communication, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) systems in DANUBE FAB. The operational voice communication systems provide “air-ground” and “ground-ground” voice communication for the air ATCOs with the serviced aircraft and with other ATCOs, and are directly related to ensuring the flight safety. In addition to the replacement of the existing voice communication systems, new technologies using Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) are being introduced. The new system is put into operation in Sofia, Varna and Burgas.
DANUBE FAB cooperation activities and enlargement opportunities
< >In 2015 the Republic of Macedonia was granted an observer status at the Governing Council of DANUBE FAB. This is a key accomplishment, as it contributes to one of the long term goals of the Single European Sky – an extension of the Single European Sky objectives towards countries beyond the European Union.DANUBE FAB signed an Inter-FAB cooperation agreement with BLUE MED FAB in October 2014, with emphasis placed on the operational coordination issues between the neighbouring ANSPs.In October 2015 DANUBE FAB and FABCE (Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia and Slovakia) signed a cooperation agreement on ANSP level, which is a step forward towards cooperation with neighbouring FABs, another way to work towards the defragmentation of the European airspace.The recently initiated cross border Night FRA project between the States of Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria South Eastern Europe Night Free Route Airspace (SEEN FRA) represents a stepwise approach based on regional initiatives to overcome the complexities involved in moving towards a seamless European airspace. Bridging the airspace between the two Functional Airspace Blocks of FAB CE and DANUBE FAB by spring 2017 will allow Airspace Users complete freedom to plan routes throughout the combined airspace of the three nations at night, paving the way for future expansion.
The Present
Being among of the most efficient and rapidly growing ANSPs in South-Eastern Europe, approaching pragmatically the challenges in ATM in the region and in Europe by putting safety ahead, we aim to be amongst the leaders in ANS, striving to work in a safe, flexible, efficient and sustainable manner.
The Future – 3 Goals
< >To keep and improve BULATSA’s safety performance through investing in people, in new technologies and adoption of innovative ATM solutions. To reach an optimum synergy of resources at national level – people and technology in order to meet the increasing air traffic demand.To make BULATSA’s brand more visible to the global aviation community to share knowledge, best practices, while being open to adopt new ones through collaboration and partnership.
