• White papers
• Press releases

Press Release – Skysoft-ATM Launches Albatross Open Source Initiative to Bring Innovative Software Solutions to the ATM industry – 17.03.2009

Newly-formed Albatross^TM community to collaborate in development of ATM technologies and make them openly available under Open Source licenses.

ATC Global Conference, Amsterdam, The Netherlands - March 17, 2009 – Skysoft-ATM, a major solution provider to the Airport Traffic Management industry, today announced the Albatross^TM open source community project: a key initiative to boost innovation in the ATM industry. The project home at www.albatross.aero was launched today. Skysoft-ATM also announced their commitment to contribute leading technologies to the project.

The first of a series of technologies to be contributed to the project by Skysoft-ATM will be the Albatross Display^TM; an advanced, flexible ATC radar display solution that will be made available to the Albatross community in June of 2009, under the GPL license.

Open Source software is known in the I.T. industry for its better quality, higher reliability, security, interoperability, lower entry cost, and its ability to end predatory vendor lock-in. The Albatross project will bring the same advantages to the aviation industry. “Vendor lock-in is becoming a significant problem for customers of surveillance technologies in the ATM industry. The Open Source Albatross project now brings an open base for improved opportunities for customization, user optimization, and significant cost savings”, said Pierre Henri Guisan, Managing Director at Skysoft-ATM

Skysoft-ATM will also produce an enterprise version based on Albatross Display^TM, which will be tested, certified, and come with full professional support services. The enterprise version will become available later in 2009. Through this key initiative, Skysoft-ATM aims to facilitate the wider adoption of advanced ATM technologies to the broader industry.

The founder of the Albatross project is Skysoft-ATM’s Manager, Didier Berling, who was originally a key player in Skysoft-ATM’s efforts to create solutions that were compatible with lower cost, commodity hardware. Mr. Berling sees Albatross as a continuation of that philosophy. “Based on the Albatross platform, we will now be able to bring more innovative and cost-efficient open software solutions to the aviation industry. Regional airports and airports with limited budgets will, for the first time, be able to access advanced surveillance products, allowing them to increase safety in their airspace. We expect the industry to benefit from the facilitated distribution of innovative technology”, said Skysoft-ATM Manager Didier Berling.

Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH (DFS) employs software development tools that are based on Open Source technology, and has signaled its support of the AlbatrossTM Open Source Project. “The DFS recognize the high value of Open Source technology and the key role it can play in facilitating our industry. Therefore, we appreciate the bold initiative that Skysoft is making on behalf of the industry through this exciting new project” said Ralf Heidger, Head of Software Development Unit for Tower and Special Systems at Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH (DFS).

Skysoft-ATM’s Open Source initiative reflects a growing demand for Open Source software solutions within the public sector. In this domain, a study aiming to assess benefits that the Open Source model can bring to ATM is ongoing at EUROCONTROL, the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation. “We take a very positive view on the opportunities and benefits that an Open Source approach bring to both the ATM community and the industry, said Jean-Marc Duflot, of EUROCONTROL. “In this context, the Albatross initiative is warmly applauded as a landmark step providing means to all ATM stakeholders to access and contribute to the technologies, in Europe and beyond.”

While Skysoft-ATM will remain the key sponsor of the Albatross Open Source community project, it encourages and welcomes new contributors. All industry players are invited to join and contribute. The project is now live on the Albatross Community website. To get involved or learn more about the Albatross community project, please visit: www.albatross.aero

About Skysoft-ATM

Skysoft-ATM is a major solution provider to the Airport Traffic Management industry, using new and innovative approaches to rethink the design and the implementation of ATM systems. Skysoft-ATM's solutions are custom-made and based on combining and configuring functional Modules - the SkyModules - around SkyProject, a conceptual core developed in close cooperation with its clients during the analysis and requirements specification phases. This methodology closely corresponds to real-life conditions and means that a project can be deployed in a few months rather than in a couple of years. More information at http://www.skysoft-atm.com

About EUROCONTROL

The mission of EUROCONTROL, the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation, is to harmonise and integrate air navigation services in Europe, aiming at the creation of a uniform air traffic management (ATM) system for civil and military users, in order to achieve the safe, secure, orderly, expeditious and economic flow of traffic throughout Europe, while minimising adverse environmental impact. EUROCONTROL. has 38 Member States: Albania, Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. On 8 October 2002, the Member States and the European Community signed a Protocol on the Accession of the European Community to the revised EUROCONTROL Convention. Pending its entry into force after ratification by all Parties, certain provisions of the Protocol are already being provisionally applied.

About the German Civil Aviation

DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH is a State-owned company under private law and has 5,200 employees. DFS ensures the safe and punctual handling of flights. Staff coordinate around 10,000 aircraft movements in German airspace every day, and more than three million movements every year. With this large number of flights, Germany has the highest traffic volume in Europe. DFS operates control centres in Langen, Bremen, Karlsruhe and Munich. In addition, DFS is represented in the Eurocontrol Centre in Maastricht, the Netherlands, and in the control towers of the 16 international German airports. DFS provides training and consultancy services around the world and develops and sells air traffic control, surveillance and navigation systems. The company's portfolio also comprises flight-relevant data, aeronautical publications and aeronautical information services. DFS has the following business units: Control Centre, Tower, Aeronautical Solutions and Aeronautical Information Management.

Press Contacts

Claude Levacher
Sales and Marketing Manager, Skysoft-ATM
Mobile: +41 79 798 5531
claude.levacher@skysoft-atm.com

Interview Coordination
Rob Morrison
Mobile: +41 79 541 3309
robm@bluewin.ch