ENG-2002 — Page 327

TRANSPORT

Studies and trials of these next-generation ATC systems continued in 2002. To gain further operational experience, trials on Automatic Dependent Surveillance/ Controller-Pilot Data Link Communications (ADS/CPDLC) with Airbus A330/A340 aircraft were conducted in the first half of the year, together with the downlinking of live meteorological data from the aircraft. Trials on the Aeronautical Telecommunication Network (ATN) and Air Traffic Services Message Handling System (AMHS) with overseas authorities and local organisations continued during the year. A special tripartite ATN trial between the Mainland, Thailand and Hong Kong was conducted in September and October, with satisfactory results. These helped to facilitate the transition to ATN operations scheduled to commence in 2003. In addition, trials on Air Traffic Services Inter-facility Data Communications (AIDC) with the Guangzhou authorities were conducted. The experience gained assisted the fine-tuning of the human-machine interface and the arrangements for transfer of air traffic control.

Aircraft Noise Management

In Hong Kong, impact caused by aircraft noise is assessed on the basis of the internationally accepted Noise Exposure Forecast (NEF) Contour. The determination. of the contour takes into account factors including the decibel levels of aircraft noise, the tonal characteristics as well as the duration and frequency of overflying flights at different times of the day. The NEF 25 contour currently adopted in Hong Kong is more stringent than the standards adopted by some other airports.

The Government is mindful of the concern of some residents about aircraft noise. The CAD continued its effort in exploring and implementing all practicable aircraft noise mitigating measures. These included noise abatement take-off and landing procedures, prohibition of landing/take-off of relatively noisy aircraft and, whenever possible, use of flight paths which cover fewer residential areas. Furthermore, from March 1 the CAD required all aircraft departing to the northeast of the airport to adopt the new noise abatement departure procedures as revised by the ICAO. Starting from July 1, all relatively noisy aircraft (i.e. subsonic jet aircraft which do not comply with the noise standards specified in Volume I, Chapter 3 of Annex 16 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation) are prohibited from landing or taking off at the HKIA following an amendment to the Civil Aviation (Aircraft Noise) Ordinance. These new measures further alleviated the aircraft noise impact on residents in the vicinity of the flight paths.

Expansion and upgrading works to enhance the monitoring capability of the existing computer-based aircraft noise and flight track monitoring system were under way. Completion of the works is scheduled for 2003.

Aircraft Operations and Airworthiness

After three years of extensive consultation, the CAD implemented new requirements for the Aircraft Maintenance Licence (AML) with effect from April 1 to provide a standard for aircraft maintenance certifying staff in Hong Kong. Aircraft Maintenance Engineers' Licence (AMEL) holders were required to convert to the new AML requirements during the transitional period from April 1, 2002, to March 31, 2004. The new requirement will be fully implemented by April 1, 2004.

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