technology 15


Air traffic control – taken off and still on the up


Bournemouth-based simulation specialist Micro Nav is celebrating 25 years during which it looks back on an unbroken track record of developing, delivering and supporting air traffic control simulation and training systems to more than 25 countries and in excess of 60 worldwide users, including major civil and military authorities.


Mike Male and Fred Johnson, experienced controllers and pilots with a rare combination of simulation, training and software skills, founded the company in 1988. Their expertise and customer rapport were major factors in the success of FIRST – the original family of simulators – and they are still key members of the team, continuing to grow the company and innovate new products.


”Since 1988 our company has grown from two ATCOs developing an air traffic control simulator to an award-winning simulation company with a worldwide customer base” said Johnson. ”During the past 25 years we have grown in many ways. I feel proud to have supported our ATM community over these years


and look forward to a continuing contribution in the future.”


Milestones during a quarter of a century include:


• 1988 – FIRST (Flexible Independent Radar Skills Trainer) – the first generation of ATC simulators that became one of the world‘s leading products. Sold under an exclusive licence by Hughes Aircraft Company.


• 1998 – launch of BEST (Beginning to End for Simulation and Training) – the next generation of ATC simulators. Even today, BEST continues to pioneer new software techniques and to exploit the dramatic advances in PC technologies to deliver new levels of affordability, versatility and realism.


• 2007 – launch of the FAST AIRPORT BUILDER (FAB) – a unique three-dimensional visual software suite that enhances the fast-time simulation capabilities of BEST to deliver the capabilities of designing, evaluating and testing airport operations.


• 2010 – launch of the Airside Driver Trainer (ADT) – a simulator providing a safe,


Heat and power combine


Hampshire County Council is bringing together international energy experts at Ashburton Hall, Winchester, on April 15 to explore the benefits of 21st century approaches that combine energy production with energy distribution.


These modern technologies have the potential to assure Hampshire‘s future energy needs, reduce its carbon footprint and cut energy costs for residents.


The all-day symposium – part of the European Ecotec21 project for which Hampshire County Council has received funds from ‘INTERREG IV A‘ under the European Cross- Border Cooperation Programme – will examine how the use of combined heat and power within a district energy system can improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.


Delegates from the UK and France will include: scientists, designers, architects, local and government authorities and energy facility managers. There will also be an opportunity to visit the University of Southampton to see how such an energy system has already helped to make huge energy and cost savings across their campus.


Combined heat and power is a modern energy production technology that captures what would otherwise be wasted heat from a power plant generating electricity. District energy systems are efficient and reliable ways to provide heating, hot water and electricity to local businesses, householders and local authorities, and distribute heat in the form of hot water via insulated, underground pipes to local buildings.


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH CENTRAL – APRIL 2013 Micro Nav 3D tower simulator, London Heathrow Airport


Solutions sought to bridge the broadband gap


Stakeholders from across the South East debated the alternative solutions to bridging the digital divide at a regional Broadband Conference in Hampshire last month.


Secretary of state for culture, media and sport, Maria Miller MP, delivered the opening speech for the Broadband Conference at the Holiday Inn, Winchester, which brought together leaders of the broadband industry, government, council, rural business owners and local home owners.


The conference was convened by the Country Land & Business Association (CLA) and Enterprise M3, the Local Enterprise Partnership for the wider M3 corridor.


CLA South East director Robin Edwards said: ”Broadband is fundamental to rural growth. Yet, parts of rural England have fewer than 0.5 Megabits per second (Mbps). We want to ensure rural areas have access to a minimum of 2 Mbps to enable them to compete on a level playing field. Not only is broadband essential for a viable business, but also for social development, healthcare, education and rural economic growth.”


The CLA is calling on the Government to provide an appropriate framework allowing rural communities to piggyback onto public sector broadband which already exists in many rural locations such as schools and libraries.


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versatile and dynamic ‘hands- on‘, learning environment for airport driver training.


• 2010 – Micro Nav wins the UK‘s most prestigious award for business performance, the Queen‘s Award for Enterprise in the category of International Trade, and is placed on The Sunday Times Microsoft Tech Track 100 league table.


• 2011 – Micro Nav is placed on The Sunday Times HSBC International Track 100 league table.


• 2012 – Micro Nav joins the Quadrant Group of Companies ensuring a more robust and stable future.


NATS awarded Micro Nav a contract to supply its two- dimensional tower simulator with two BEST tower controllers and two BEST tower pseudo pilots for Birmingham Airport recently. The simulator system is a scalable solution that addresses ATC and air defence training. Micro Nav will be supplying NATS with a two-dimensional simulator which is designed to support tower, ground, approach and area training. The solution provides a plan view of the airfield and accurately maps the ground movements of aircraft and vehicles along the taxiways and runways.


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