Elevating Air Safety for ASECNA: A Collaborative Effort by CGX AERO and Airbus

CHALLENGE OVERVIEW

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 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 airport (GOBD) 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.

PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY

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 high level of accuracy.

The project’s phased implementation strategy was as follows:

• Data Acquisition: The eTOD area of interest extending around Dakar airport (~400 km²) was captured within 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.

• 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 finalized 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.

KEY PROJECT BENEFITS

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 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.

ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED

Airbus Space Digital

Airbus pioneers sustainable aerospace for a safe and united world. The Company constantly innovates to provide efficient and technologically-advanced solutions in aerospace, defence, and connected services. In commercial aircraft, Airbus designs and manufactures modern and fuel-efficient airliners and associated services. Airbus is also a European leader in space systems, defence and security. In helicopters, Airbus provides efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions and services worldwide.

Visit Airbus Defense and Space website

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.

Visit ASECNA website

HEAR FROM ASECNA

"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