NATS Altitude

Altitude is a monthly podcast from NATS.
 
It’s now 11 years since a huge volcanic eruption in Iceland grounded flights across the UK and much of northwest Europe. For six days in April 2010, the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull (or E-15) left millions of passengers stranded around the world. Fears over the effect of flying through clouds of ash rich in particles of glass left the industry, regulators and policy makers all struggling to grabble with what was then an event on an unprecedented scale. But what really happened behind closed doors 11 years ago and what has changed since? What lessons did the industry learn from 2010 and what will happen during the next, inevitable eruption? 

In this special episode of Altitude we’ll hear from the controllers and pilots who worked through the crisis, learn about the changes the industry has pioneered since, and get a preview of the huge pan-industry exercise due this autumn.
 
 Enjoy the show and find out more at nats.aero/altitude

(Originally broadcast in August 2021)

You can also watch an on demand version of the livestream on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@NatsAero

Altitude is a monthly podcast from NATS.
 
From sonic booms and Quick Reaction Alert to deployments during Covid and military training exercises, are you ready to explore the world of 78 Squadron? The UK is one of the few countries around the world with a joint and integrated civil and military air traffic control service, with NATS and MoD controllers sitting side by side in the control centre at Swanwick, Hampshire. This close relationship allows greater cooperation and the more flexible use of airspace. But what is the difference between civil and military ATM and how do they work together on a day to day basis? The challenges we both face are very similar; growing levels of traffic, the integration of unmanned air systems and the constant pressure to improve levels of safety and cost-efficiency – just to name a few! But through close and effective cooperation we can meet these and other challenges whenever and wherever they might appear. 

Join us for an RAF Special episode of Altitude for Armed Forces Week, where we’ll be joined by Wing Commander Chrissie Miller, Officer Commanding 78 Sqn, and Gary Dixon, GM Swanwick Operations.
 
 Enjoy the show and find out more at nats.aero/altitude

(Originally broadcast in June 2021)

You can also watch an on demand version of the livestream on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@NatsAero

Altitude is a monthly podcast from NATS.
 
From delivering fresh Norwegian crab to South Korea through to supporting the worldwide vaccine roll out, every year millions of tonnes of freight is flown in our skies in what is 24 hour a day choreography of logistics, just in time planning and human ingenuity. Join us for this episode of Altitude alongside DHL’s Chief Pilot, Richard Brew and Head of Cargo at Manchester Airport Group, Stephen Harvey, for an exploration of the incredible journey that begins when you click ‘buy now’. 

We chatted about exactly what it takes to ensure your Scottish salmon is as fresh as the moment it was caught, the impact of Covid on global demand, how to safely relocate the world’s loneliest elephant… and what the future holds for this vital but often unseen part of the aviation industry.
 
Enjoy the show and find out more at nats.aero/altitude

(Originally broadcast in June 2021)

You can also watch an on demand version of the livestream on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@NatsAero

Altitude is a monthly podcast from NATS.
 
Climate change represents an existential challenge to the aviation industry. We need to act now not just because it’s the right thing to do for the future of our planet, but because failure to do so will see flying become more and more socially unacceptable. Technological advances like sustainable aviation fuels and electric aircraft are incredibly exciting and promise that future generations will be able to enjoy the freedom to travel without the environmental impacts we are now acutely aware of. However, most of these transformative technologies are still 10-15 years away and if aviation is to meet the target of reaching net-zero by 2050, we must do more. Operational improvements can be delivered much more near-term through better and more efficient use of airspace and on-board technology. This, too, is vital to reaching the 2050 target, and for aviation to play its part in delivering on the UK’s 2035 emissions reduction milestone. 

Ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference, COP 26, later this year, join NATS Head of Sustainable Operations, Ian Jopson with British Airways’ Head of Sustainability, Carrie Harris, for an exploration of both the short- and long-term strategies the industry needs to deploy to meet the climate challenge.
 
 Enjoy the show and find out more at nats.aero/altitude

(Originally broadcast in May 2021)

You can also watch an on demand version of the livestream on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@NatsAero

Altitude is a monthly podcast from NATS.
 
While the industry may now be eyeing the prospect of a recovery from the covid crisis, for many airports, plans for expensive new ground-based infrastructure may yet remain on ice for the foreseeable future. Being able to maximise the efficiency of existing runways, stands and terminals in order to keep costs and delays low is therefore going to be critically important over the coming years as traffic returns. Making airport operations more predicable by delivering a smoother, more managed flow of traffic can help bridge the gap, allowing airports to move more aircraft for a fraction of the investment needed for ground- based infrastructure. 

Host Jonny White (Product Portfolio Manager) is joined by Consultant Steve Hammond and Adrian Clark, Manager Advanced Concepts, Airspace & Future Operations to explore how airports can achieve greater operational predictability and stability and why that also means less airborne delay, a greener recovery and a more efficient deployment of airport resources.
 
 Enjoy the show and find out more at nats.aero/altitude

(Originally broadcast in April 2021)

You can also watch an on demand version of the livestream on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@NatsAero

Altitude is a monthly podcast from NATS.
 
COVID-19 has had a massive impact on air travel, with traffic and passenger figures reduced to pre-2000 levels in many regions, but there remains cause to be optimistic about the future… Unmanned aviation, Automation and Artificial Intelligence all promise to be the next paradigm shift in air traffic management, helping to build a better, more efficient and more sustainable future. But harnessing those technologies poses a major challenge in what is a safety critical industry. 

Host Ady Dolan (Heathrow Air Traffic controller) is joined by Louisa Smith, Head of Research & Development and Gary Cutts, Challenge Director for UK Research and Innovation to explore the technologies, concepts, priorities and partnerships that are going to help usher in the future of aviation in a post-covid world.
 
 Enjoy the show and find out more at nats.aero/altitude

(Originally broadcast in March 2021)

You can also watch an on demand version of the livestream on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@NatsAero

Altitude is a monthly podcast from NATS.

On 25 February 1920, the UK Air Ministry gave approval for the construction of a new building at London Croydon Airport, to be ‘erected 15 feet above ground level’ and with ‘large windows to be placed on all four walls’. This building was to be known as the ‘Aerodrome Control Tower’ and at a stroke coined both the term that has remained synonymous with Air Traffic Control for the past 100 years and a design that remains instantly recognisable. 

Host Ady Dolan (Heathrow Air Traffic controller) is joined by Adam Spink (air traffic controller and history enthusiast) and Ian Walker (Chair of Historic Croydon Airport Trust) for an exploration of what life was like for those early air traffic innovators, and the foundations they laid that we still rely on today to keep the skies safe.

Enjoy the show and find out more at nats.aero/altitude

(Originally broadcast in Feb 2021)

You can also watch an on demand version of the livestream on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@NatsAero

Altitude is a monthly podcast from NATS.
 
A decade ago, digital towers were a niche concept, confined to a small part of the industry. Today and they are an operational reality for airports around the world. From London to Singapore via Budapest and Colorado, airports of all sizes are now going ‘digital’. And while the initial attraction was in the use of cameras and high-speed data connections to move controllers offsite, we’re now discovering the potential is far, far greater. 

Host Ady Dolan (Heathrow Air Traffic controller) is joined Andy Taylor (NATS Chief Solutions Officer for Digital Towers) and Neil Bowles (Executive Vice President at Searidge Technologies) to discuss whether digital control towers really are the future for airport operations.
 
 Enjoy the show and find out more at nats.aero/altitude

(Originally broadcast in January 2021)

You can also watch an on demand version of the livestream on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@NatsAero

Altitude is a monthly podcast from NATS.

Heathrow air traffic controller Ady Dolan is joined by Rob Mitchell, Manager ATC Development, Ocean, and Aireon CTO Vinny Capezzuto for a lively discussion charting the highs and lows of introducing Space Based ADS-B over the North Atlantic. 

Enjoy the show and find out more at nats.aero/altitude

(Originally broadcast in December 2020)

You can also watch an on demand version of the livestream on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@NatsAero