Wirraway
7th Dec 2004, 14:26
Wed "The Australian"
Aussie's flight path to award
Steve Creedy, Aviation writer
December 08, 2004
AN Australian scientist whose work has helped open new routes and saved airlines millions of dollars has received the world's top civil aviation award.
Professor Brian O'Keeffe received the International Civil Aviation Organisation's Edward Warner Award for his work in developing advanced aviation communications and navigation systems.
The award, one of three won by Australians in the medal's 37-year history, was recognised yesterday at a ceremony in Canberra conducted by Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson.
Professor O'Keeffe was heavily involved in developing systems that used satellites to allow air traffic controllers to pinpoint the location of aircraft beyond radar surveillance.
During a 16-year career with the then Civil Aviation Department, he developed an instrument landing system that became standard at Australian airports, and was co-developer of a high-accuracy aircraft tracking system used to develop later technologies.
He went on to become the aviation representative on the taskforce that developed Australia's national communication satellite system and became vice-chairman of ICAO's special committee on Future Air Navigation Systems as well as chairman of the project's phase II committee.
This saw him leading the international development of the satellite-based FANS system that made possible non-stop trans-Pacific flights and new services such as the "Silk Route" to Europe over China.
It has also saved airlines millions of dollars by allowing them to optimise routes and meant aircraft could fly closer together because air traffic controllers could more accurately determine their position.
Professor O'Keeffe said yesterday he believed advances in air navigation technology would allow more new routes to be opened and help solve air traffic congestion over busy markets such as Europe and the US.
He predicted further gains in fuel efficiency and increased levels of safety because situation displays would show the position of every aircraft, not just those in radar coverage.
"I think the separations (between aircraft) will get smaller to reduce congestion, particularly over the North Atlantic the North Pacific, which means you'll pack more traffic in and get fewer delays," he said.
The scientist said the fact Australia had won three of 37 Edward Warner awards was an indication of the nation's pioneering spirit and out of all proportion to its size.
The other awards were won by former Civil director-general and Qantas chairman Donald Anderson, and civil engineer and aviation administrator Keith Bradfield, who was Australia's first representative to ICAO.
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Aussie's flight path to award
Steve Creedy, Aviation writer
December 08, 2004
AN Australian scientist whose work has helped open new routes and saved airlines millions of dollars has received the world's top civil aviation award.
Professor Brian O'Keeffe received the International Civil Aviation Organisation's Edward Warner Award for his work in developing advanced aviation communications and navigation systems.
The award, one of three won by Australians in the medal's 37-year history, was recognised yesterday at a ceremony in Canberra conducted by Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson.
Professor O'Keeffe was heavily involved in developing systems that used satellites to allow air traffic controllers to pinpoint the location of aircraft beyond radar surveillance.
During a 16-year career with the then Civil Aviation Department, he developed an instrument landing system that became standard at Australian airports, and was co-developer of a high-accuracy aircraft tracking system used to develop later technologies.
He went on to become the aviation representative on the taskforce that developed Australia's national communication satellite system and became vice-chairman of ICAO's special committee on Future Air Navigation Systems as well as chairman of the project's phase II committee.
This saw him leading the international development of the satellite-based FANS system that made possible non-stop trans-Pacific flights and new services such as the "Silk Route" to Europe over China.
It has also saved airlines millions of dollars by allowing them to optimise routes and meant aircraft could fly closer together because air traffic controllers could more accurately determine their position.
Professor O'Keeffe said yesterday he believed advances in air navigation technology would allow more new routes to be opened and help solve air traffic congestion over busy markets such as Europe and the US.
He predicted further gains in fuel efficiency and increased levels of safety because situation displays would show the position of every aircraft, not just those in radar coverage.
"I think the separations (between aircraft) will get smaller to reduce congestion, particularly over the North Atlantic the North Pacific, which means you'll pack more traffic in and get fewer delays," he said.
The scientist said the fact Australia had won three of 37 Edward Warner awards was an indication of the nation's pioneering spirit and out of all proportion to its size.
The other awards were won by former Civil director-general and Qantas chairman Donald Anderson, and civil engineer and aviation administrator Keith Bradfield, who was Australia's first representative to ICAO.
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