SADISOPSG/9-WP/27

29/4/04

SATELLITE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM OPERATIONS GROUP (SADISOPSG)

NINTH MEETING

Dakar, Senegal, 1 to 4 June 2004

Agenda Item	4:	Content of the SADIS broadcast
4.1:	OPMET information

IATA MONITORING OF SADIS OPMET DATA REQUIREMENTS

(Presented by the International Air Transport Association (IATA))

SUMMARY
This paper outlines a monitoring of the SADIS contents versus IATA OPMET data requirements and AOP tables. It gives a good overview about the availability of OPMET data on SADIS broadcast.

1.	INTRODUCTION

1.1	Since SADIS became operational in the 90's, it became evolved into a more and more reliable source of weather data. Beside the distribution of WAFS products, it is used for broadcasting OPMET data. Basis for the data distribution via SADIS is the SADIS User Guide and the Annex 1 to this guide.

1.2	SADIS has the task to provide all necessary or requested weather data to aviation users so that SADIS can be considered as a single source of data. SADIS is a dedicated ICAO system, regulated and controlled under ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices. It forms part of the Aeronautical Fixed Services (AFS) to ensure that aviation data are distributed without conflict and with the appropriate priority.

2.	DISCUSSION

2.1	The tables in the attachment give an overview over the availability of OPMET data on SADIS (February 2004). The attachment is separated into several sections to allow a better navigation.

2.2	The attachment lists only aerodromes, which are mentioned in the SUG Annex 1 and in any AOP table and are required by IATA.

Section 1	lists all aerodromes for which SADIS broadcasts SA, SP, FC and FT.

Section 2	lists all aerodromes for which SADIS broadcasts SA, SP and FC.

Section 3	lists all aerodromes for which SADIS broadcasts SA, SP and FT.

Section 4	lists all aerodromes for which SADIS broadcasts only SA and SP.

Section 5	lists all aerodromes for which SADIS broadcasts only FC and FT.

Section 6	lists all aerodromes for which SADIS broadcasts only FC.

Section 7	lists all aerodromes for which SADIS broadcasts only FT.

Section 8	lists all aerodromes for which SADIS broadcasts no OPMET data.

2.3	If the content of columns headed with SA, SP, FC or FT are compared with the information proved in the columns under the headline SADIS, some inconsistencies can be found between the requirements and the actual SADIS broadcast content.

2.4	Referring to the above mentioned comparison, the following questions should be raised and should be answered by the Secretary, the SADIS Provider State or the State issuing the OPMET data:

All sections: Is there still a need to maintain the requirement columns for OPMET products? If the answer is NO, all columns have to be adjusted to reality. IATA is of the opinion that it is better to make the SUG Annex 1 independent of that. This would reduce the maintenance efforts and avoids any inconsistencies.

Section 2: Is it true that only SA, SP and FC are available for these aerodromes? If that is the case, no further efforts are needed to get the FT.

Section 3: Is it true that only SA, SP and FT are available for these aerodromes? If that is the case, no further efforts are needed to get the FC.

Section 4: Is it true that only SA and SP are available for these aerodromes? In some cases, it is a fact that only SA is available but it is doubtful that such a large number of aerodromes are only providing SA.

Section 5: Is it true that only FC and FT are available for these aerodromes? Why are SAs not on SADIS? For the preparation of FC and FT, observations are required. That means that also SA is issued.

Section 6: Is it true that only FCs are available for these aerodromes? Why are SAs not on SADIS? For the preparation of FC and FT, observations are required. That means that also SA is issued.

Section 7: Is it true that only FTs are available for these aerodromes? Why are SAs and/or FCs not on SADIS? For the preparation of FC and FT, observations are required. That means that also SA is issued.

Section 8: What is the reason that, for these aerodromes, no OPMET data are broadcasted on SADIS? Does the State not issue any OPMET data? Are these aerodromes still valid AOP aerodromes?

2.5	The IATA requirement for distribution of all available OPMET does not imply any change of status in the AOP table for these airports and is not a request for the issuance of any OPMET products, which are not actually prepared.

3.	ACTION BY THE SADISOPSG

3.1	The SADISOPSG is invited to:

a)	note the information provided in the attachment;

b)	discuss the questions raised in 2.4; and

c)	formulate tasks to resolve the deficiencies.

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