SolaCom Delivers Voice Communication System for Easton's New Tower
23 January 2008
SolaCom Technologies, a communications solution company that enables interoperability over any network infrastructure, announces that its market-leading Liberty-STAR voice communication control system (VCCS) is operational in Easton Airport located near Baltimore in Maryland, USA.
The new VCCS is part of Easton's airport expansion project, which involved the construction of a new air traffic control (ATC) tower.
AJT & Associates Inc provided system integration services for the project and selected SolaCom's Liberty-STAR VCCS, the Liberty-MET meteorology system, three VHF/AM aviation radios and a 24-port audio recording system for the new tower.
SolaCom is the fastest-growing provider of VCCS systems for contract towers in the US, with systems now installed in more than 24 sites.
"SolaCom's integrated voice communication, recording and weather monitoring solution sets us apart from other vendors by providing our customers with a complete, cost-effective, easy-to-use and support ATC system designed to meet the unique operational requirements of small towers," said Pierre Plangger, Vice President ATC Sales and Marketing.
"By reducing the complexity of the system, operators are able to better focus on the job at hand of providing safe air traffic management."
The Liberty-STAR VCCS includes:
- Mission-critical air-ground/ground-ground voice switch
- Easy-to-use, touch screen operator console
- Integrated weather monitoring console
- Sensors and antenna
- Record and playback software
- System configuration tool
The weather information is provided with an ATC-focused weather monitoring software package. Large displays, charts and dials allow operators to observe current conditions in real-time. Weather data most needed by operators is provided, including wind speed, wind direction, temperature, dew point, and altimeter setting.
The SolaCom recorder is a 24-port digital recording solution (48 analog ports can be recorded with an optional T1 interface). A 10-segment VU-meter is provided for each channel to allow quick visual indication of call activity. An internal monitoring system with speakers lets operators listen to live audio while recording.
Located between Baltimore and Washington DC, Easton Airport was first constructed for use by the US military during World War II. Today, Easton provides a variety of services and has become the second busiest airport in Maryland with approximately 160,000 annual aircraft operations. Easton is also a popular hub with US Vice President, Dick Cheney, who flies out of the airport regularly. The airport has recently experienced a significant amount of growth which generated the need for a second tower.
