NationStates Jolt Archive

The purpose of this act shall be:

1. To promote safe and efficient transportation of goods and people by aircraft domestically and internationally.

2. To standardize airspace and air traffic procedures internationally.

3. The creation of the United Nations Transport Advisory Committee(UNTAC)

In accordance with the above all UN member nations shall:

1. Provide all Air Traffic Control facility's with 100% operational equipment, and appropriate backup equipment.

2. Standardize transition altitudes and air traffic procedures as advised by the UNTAC, including the creation of RVSM (Reduced Vertical Separation) airspace internationally.

3. Standardize Air Traffic Controllers training as advised by UNTAC.

4. Mandate that all communications in the air traffic system be made in English.

5. Mandate that TCAS (1) be installed on all commercial aircraft.

5.1 Mandate that any aircraft that passes over any ocean be ETOPS certified so to ensure that aircraft will be able to reach the nearest airport even over extended distances.

6. Amend international Air Traffic Procedures as advised by the UNTAC.

This act shall be a means to promote safety in aviation.

(1) Traffic Collision Avoidance System, whereby the aircraft equipment is able to communicate with equipment in other aircraft to coordinate collision avoidance action.



Please comment if you are interested in adding to or endorsing this act.

Cheers
Joe

This draft was obviously written by someone with a knowledge of air traffic control. There is probably much in it that would deserve support. Unfortunately, we're reduced to saying "probably" because we lack such knowledge. We haven't a clue as to what a TCAS (1) is or what it means to be ETOPS certified.

We'd suggest that the proposal needs to be fleshed out in two ways. First, terms and concepts that might be unfamiliar to most members must be explained. Second, members need to be given reasons why the measures imposed by the proposal are necessary and advisable.

We look forward to the author's continued work on the draft. Air safety is a concern of ours and, we believe, should be a concern of all of us.

Hurlbot Barfanger
Ambassador to the United Nations

TCAS, or Traffic Collision Avoidance System, is defined but as a footnote, hence the "(1)." ETOPS is extended operations, and yes, it needs to be defined in the proposal.

Doesn't require much knowledge of air-traffic control really. ;)

You're right. We missed the footnote. We continue to believe, though, that the proposal needs considerable fleshing out to make a convincing case for passage.

Lorelei M. Ahlmann
Ambassador-at-Large

I'm an aircraft dispatcher so i could be of some help on this proposal.

ETOPS = engines turn or people swim.

JK, it's a reg for prop planes when traveling over oceans, they have to be within yadda yadda of a suitable airport yadda yadda..you know like most regs go :)

I just saw this at the end of my shift so i'm headed home but i'll help out later on.

ETOPS = engines turn or people swim.

JK, it's a reg for prop planes when traveling over oceans, they have to be within yadda yadda of a suitable airport yadda yadda..you know like most regs go :)

Heh...yeah, that's the joke, but it does mean "extended operations." Here in the US, aircraft that are going to be flying over long distances, including over oceans, have to be certified that they're capable of doing so by the Federal Aviation Administration.

As a member of the AAAAA*, I must oppose all of these TLAs, ETLAs, and other acronyms.

* American Association Against Acronym Abuse

The purpose of this act shall be:
1. To promote safe and efficient transportation of goods and people by aircraft domestically and internationally.
2. To standardize airspace and air traffic procedures internationally.
3. The creation of the United Nations Transport Advisory Committee(UNTAC)
In accordance with the above all UN member nations shall:
1. Provide all Air Traffic Control facility's with 100% operational equipment, and appropriate backup equipment.
2. Standardize transition altitudes and air traffic procedures as advised by the UNTAC, including the creation of RVSM (Reduced Vertical Separation) airspace internationally.
3. Standardize Air Traffic Controllers training as advised by UNTAC.
4. Mandate that all communications in the air traffic system be made in English.
5. Mandate that TCAS (1) be installed on all commercial aircraft.
5.1 Mandate that any aircraft that passes over any ocean be ETOPS certified so to ensure that aircraft will be able to reach the nearest airport even over extended distances.
6. Amend international Air Traffic Procedures as advised by the UNTAC.
This act shall be a means to promote safety in aviation.
(1) Traffic Collision Avoidance System, whereby the aircraft equipment is able to communicate with equipment in other aircraft to coordinate collision avoidance action.
Please comment if you are interested in adding to or endorsing this act.
Cheers
Joe


Are we only talking about around one single planet or between them? Many nations that make up NS as members of the UN are not on just one planet and some not even on a planet.

As for the terms agree it needs more explaining on what these are and why they must be in place. Only should be set to Space Traffic not just local Air Traffic. As those so called 'UFO' in NS are real; just some member nation dropping in to visit friends on another planet or to attend a UN meeting.

As far as I am concerned, I believe that we are all in teh same world. ;)

As a member of the AAAAA*, I must oppose all of these TLAs, ETLAs, and other acronyms.

* American Association Against Acronym Abuse

Is this a good time to point out that most of them are initialisms and not acronyms? Nato is an acronym (as you pronouce the letters as a word), UN is an initialism (as you pronounce the letters individually)

[/grammar Nazi]

Is this a good time to point out that most of them are initialisms and not acronyms?

Not really... ;)

Are we only talking about around one single planet or between them? Many nations that make up NS as members of the UN are not on just one planet and some not even on a planet.

As for the terms agree it needs more explaining on what these are and why they must be in place. Only should be set to Space Traffic not just local Air Traffic. As those so called 'UFO' in NS are real; just some member nation dropping in to visit friends on another planet or to attend a UN meeting.

I think only air traffic, as in the title, as space travel would require higher standards of safety.

OOC:
You could do what certain companies do before the text boxy of a contract. State something like, "DEFINITIONS: For the purposes of this Resolution" or something similar.

DRAFT 1.1
Definitions

ATC.Air Traffic Control (ATC) is a service provided by ground-based controllers who direct aircraft on the ground and in the air to ensure safe, orderly and expeditious traffic flow.

TCAS. Traffic alert and Collision Avoidance System is an implementation of the Airborne Collision Avoidance System mandated by ICAO to be fitted to all aircraft over 5700 kg or authorized to carry more than 19 passengers, designed to reduce mid-air collisions.

ETOPS. Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards is an acronym for an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) rule permitting newer twin-engine commercial air transports to fly routes that, at some points, are further than a distance of 60 minutes flying time from an emergency or diversion airport.

RVSM. Reduced vertical separation minimum is an initiative to cut the minimum vertical separation requirement between aircrafts between flight level 290 (29,000 ft.) and 410 (41,000 ft.) from 2,000 feet to 1,000 feet.

The purpose of this act shall be:

1. To promote safe and efficient transportation of goods and people by aircraft domestically and internationally in order to allow the aviation industry to promote the economies of the nations that adopt the new procedures.

2. To standardize airspace and air traffic procedures internationally.

3. The creation of the United Nations Transport Advisory Committee (UNTAC)

4. To reduce aircraft accidents globally

In accordance with the above all UN member nations shall:

1. Provide all Air Traffic Control facility's with 100% operational equipment, and appropriate backup equipment in order to assure absolute safety while aircraft are flying under ATC guidance.

1.1 Standardize and expedite the renewal of technology and equipment so that no ATC facility has out dated equipment.

1.2 Commit to funding research in Aircraft technology so as to produce new equipment that will further the goal to reduce aircraft incidents globally.

2. Standardize transition altitudes and air traffic procedures as advised by the UNTAC, including the creation of RVSM airspace internationally.

3. Standardize Air Traffic Controllers training as advised by UNTAC.

4. Mandate that all communications in the air traffic system be made in English.

5. Mandate that TCAS be installed on all commercial aircraft.

5.1 Mandate that any aircraft that passes over any ocean be ETOPS certified so to ensure that aircraft will be able to reach the nearest airport even over extended distances.

6. Amend international Air Traffic Procedures as advised by the UNTAC.

This act shall be a means to promote safety in aviation while permitting an increase in traffic. This will allow greater passage of people and goods via Aircraft and will boost the economy of member nations.

Is this a good time to point out that most of them are initialisms and not acronyms? Nato is an acronym (as you pronouce the letters as a word), UN is an initialism (as you pronounce the letters individually)I pronounce everything. I'm a member of "aaaaaah" and am objecting to "tlahs" and "ee-tlahs".

Yeah.

DRAFT 1.1

1.2 Commit to funding research in Aircraft technology so as to produce new equipment that will further the goal to reduce aircraft incidents globally.

4. Mandate that all communications in the air traffic system be made in English.


I think these are some of the items about which objections might be raised.

Committment of funds is something i've seen argued and argued about around here. I doubt it will pass with such a requirement involved for research purposes which may or may not be necessary.

Also, the last time i played and was a part of the UN there was a call for a universal language, which was met with much resistance.
I just wanted to point out how passage of such legislation would have made
a great deal of things easier, one of them being the designation of english for the air traffic system.

English is the accepted standard for Air Traffic Control world wide, but perhaps should not be in the act, as it will be up to the committee to decide on that.

DRAFT 1.1
Definitions

ATC.Air Traffic Control (ATC) is a service provided by ground-based controllers who direct aircraft on the ground and in the air to ensure safe, orderly and expeditious traffic flow.

TCAS. Traffic alert and Collision Avoidance System is an implementation of the Airborne Collision Avoidance System mandated by ICAO to be fitted to all aircraft over 5700 kg or authorized to carry more than 19 passengers, designed to reduce mid-air collisions.

ETOPS. Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards is an acronym for an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) rule permitting newer twin-engine commercial air transports to fly routes that, at some points, are further than a distance of 60 minutes flying time from an emergency or diversion airport.

RVSM. Reduced vertical separation minimum is an initiative to cut the minimum vertical separation requirement between aircrafts between flight level 290 (29,000 ft.) and 410 (41,000 ft.) from 2,000 feet to 1,000 feet.

The purpose of this act shall be:

1. To promote safe and efficient transportation of goods and people by aircraft domestically and internationally in order to allow the aviation industry to promote the economies of the nations that adopt the new procedures.

2. To standardize airspace and air traffic procedures internationally.

3. The creation of the United Nations Transport Advisory Committee (UNTAC)

4. To reduce aircraft accidents globally

In accordance with the above all UN member nations shall:

1. Provide all Air Traffic Control facility's with 100% operational equipment, and appropriate backup equipment in order to assure absolute safety while aircraft are flying under ATC guidance.

1.1 Standardize and expedite the renewal of technology and equipment so that no ATC facility has out dated equipment.

1.2 Commit to co-operating with the UNTAC so as to produce new equipment that will further the goal to reduce aircraft incidents globally.

2. Standardize transition altitudes and air traffic procedures as advised by the UNTAC, including the creation of RVSM airspace internationally.

3. Standardize Air Traffic Controllers training as advised by UNTAC.

4. Mandate that all communications in the air traffic system be made using standard phraseology

5. Mandate that TCAS be installed on all commercial aircraft.

5.1 Mandate that any aircraft that passes over any ocean be ETOPS certified so to ensure that aircraft will be able to reach the nearest airport even over extended distances.

6. Amend international Air Traffic Procedures as advised by the UNTAC.

This act shall be a means to promote safety in aviation while permitting an increase in traffic. This will allow greater passage of people and goods via Aircraft and will boost the economy of member nations.

Yes it is but yet they use abbreviations of french words for our
weather :)

go figure.

I like the draft but it seems to have too many acronyms/letterisms/whatever. I have to go back to the definitions section every time I see one of them. So I think we should cut down on those.

The proposal, I believe, makes a RL reference to the ICAO. This makes it illegal, and should be removed.

Also, I'm not sure if you're allowed to make a committee and have it make lots of decisions and such.

In short, this needs to be better worded, and is too technical for the body of the UN. I support most of the content, once I can figure out what it means. ;)

I must agree with Ceorona. And add my dismay that this proposal doesn't eradicate Arctocephalinae...

Draft 1.1 is a great improvement over the first draft. Even our delegation, with its abject cluelessness about the subject, can now understand the provisions of the proposal and the benefits of enacting it. Unfortunately, it seems that the representative of Ceorana is correct. If the ICAO is an organization in the mythical world of real life, reference to it in a proposal is illegal and must be removed.

In cases of proposals on subjects unfamiliar to us, we always refrain from promising support until we have a chance to learn from the debate and hear the views of more knowledgeable nations. At this point, though, we believe this is a proposal we would enthusiastically support.

We'd suggest the author consider putting the proposal in the NSUN's "legislative format": the style with the "BELIEVING", "NOTING", "REQUIRES", etc. We think this format makes the content of proposals easy to grasp and sort out. We'd be happy to assist in doing that, should the author wish.

Patrick T. Olembe
Minister for Foreign Affairs

Imperiux is for it. But one question does remain, what will you do about space travel that could be interpreted as air travel?

Imperiux is for it. But one question does remain, what will you do about space travel that could be interpreted as air travel?

There is no air in space. That's why astronauts have to wear those nifty suits.

Okay, that's answered. But I've just thought of one. Is air only existent on earth or is it just another shortened word for atmosphere?

Imperiux is for it. But one question does remain, what will you do about space travel that could be interpreted as air travel?

Exactly my view on this as we know that many members of NS don't live on one planet thus travel between planets even moons and space stations. Thus how do they take into effect here what in RW would be a UFO but here is mearly a family visiting Gma from Planet X on Planet Y in the family space craft. Or an arms dealer bringing a load of nukes from Planet Q to Planet R in his cargo space craft. Will this require so called Space Craft to convert or be fitted to meet AIR TRAFFIC standards once they enter a planets AIR SPACE and if so what is that set at in relation to the planet?

Space travel is not what this act is about. this act is about sub orbital air traffic on single planets. (where does it say that we can be on different planets, I was under the impression we were all on earth. please show me a link or doccument that explains the different planet thing. It's not that I doubt you, I just want to know)

Space travel is not what this act is about. this act is about sub orbital air traffic on single planets. (where does it say that we can be on different planets, I was under the impression we were all on earth. please show me a link or doccument that explains the different planet thing. It's not that I doubt you, I just want to know)
OOC: There's not really 'a link': just look through the NS and II forums. Some people like to play as being on Earth, some people as star empires. Don't let that bog down this proposal, though: it's fine to deal with 'air traffic', and that covers all planets.

We have a single airport with 2 jumbo jets in the middle of the Paxarific ocean. Almost all of our traffic is by sea. This creates unnecessary paperwork and an extra agency which we could do without.

Commonarch of the Commonalitarianism

The fact that you have those jets just sitting around proves that you are not using them correctly. Just think of the monies you could be earning with them. If you don't want the act, dont vote for it.

We have a single airport with 2 jumbo jets in the middle of the Paxarific ocean. Almost all of our traffic is by sea. This creates unnecessary paperwork and an extra agency which we could do without.

Commonarch of the Commonalitarianism


Where one nation has only two jumbo jets we have none but use space craft for travel between planets. Thus we still want to know how this might effect us as all our space craft have extended avoidance devices in them and operating devices to avoid contact with other objects whatever they might be. We feel that unless a nation is willing to pay for these information on the design and operation of these devices and space craft they can get them some place other than from us. As these play a great part in our national defense programs thus for security reasons we don't just give them away and restrict what may be sold. If I read this right nations have to without payment give up certain information as well as equipment for this Air Traffic Program under the UN. Thus certain vital information around national defense would become compromised as we don't see the UN protecting such as members come and go from UN all time and there is nothing in place to take back information they learned while in UN by way of some UN proposal on shared information.

Also the later comment about not using effectivly aircraft. Some things are best moved by other means for a number of reasons as many nations still move trade goods by ocean craft and land craft rather than air craft. Thus each nations sets up it's own means of transporting people and goods from point A to point B and not all want to fly them around. Thus would it be probably under this one for the UN at some point to come in and say hey nation X we want land to put in an Air Traffic Center some place in your borders and you will have to build it and put this equipment in it and man it with so many trained people. Even if nation X has no so called Air Craft or Space Craft but uses only ships and trains and such; but happens to be in a major flight path between point A and point B and the most effective site would be one in nation X borders simply because other nations fly over nation X so often.....

BELIEVING that the promotion of safe and efficient transportation of goods and people by aircraft, domestically and internationally, will not only result in the saving of lives, but will also enable the aviation industry to better promote the economies of the nations that adopt the new procedures, and

CONVINCED that the international standardization of airspace and air traffic procedures will be a positive step toward that goal,

The United Nations

DEFINES

Air Traffic Control (ATC) as a service provided by ground-based controllers who direct aircraft on the ground and in the air to ensure safe, orderly and expeditious traffic flow;

Traffic alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) as an implementation of the Airborne Collision Avoidance System to be fitted to all aircraft over 5700 kg or authorized to carry more than 19 passengers, designed to reduce mid-air collisions;

Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards (ETOPS) as an acronym for a rule permitting newer twin-engine commercial air transports to fly routes that, at some points, are further than a distance of 60 minutes flying time from an emergency or diversion airport, and

Reduced vertical separation minimum (RVSM) as an initiative to cut the minimum vertical separation requirement between aircrafts between flight level 290 (29,000 ft.) and 410 (41,000 ft.) from 2,000 feet to 1,000 feet.

REQUIRES that all UN member nations:

1. Provide all Air Traffic Control facilities with fully operational equipment and sufficient backup equipment to assure maximum safety while aircraft are flying under ATC guidance.

2. Standardize and expedite the upgrading and replacement of technology and equipment so that no ATC facility has outdated equipment.

3. Cooperate with the other UN members so as to produce new equipment that will further the goal to reduce aircraft incidents globally.

4. Standardize transition altitudes and air traffic procedures including the creation of RVSM airspace internationally.

5. Standardize Air Traffic Controller training.

MANDATES that all UN member nations shall:

6. Require that all communications in the air traffic system be made using standard phraseology

7. Require that TCAS be installed on all commercial aircraft.

8. Require that any aircraft that passes over any ocean be ETOPS certified so to ensure that aircraft will be able to reach the nearest airport even over extended distances.

Though Mikitivity obviously has fixed-wing aircraft capabilities, we also have significant airship traffic. I wanted to confirm that nothing in this present draft represents any sort of restriction on our current proceedures for handling airship related traffic.

OOC:
I've slowly been working on my nation's entire infrastructure via NSWiki, including the construction companies that build things such as airships. Long ago I created a short article on NSWiki for airships, as I seriously doubt I'm the only person here who loves them and wanted to incorporate 'blimps' and the like into his/her RP. If you have an airline or aircraft manufactor that you'd like to add to the lists on NSWiki, please do. If the UN is going to start to promote air safety (and ideal I *firmly* will support), it would be helpful to proponents of such measures to be able to use NSWiki examples. On that note, I've also started listing air related accidents (even imaginary fantasy people die). :(

Though Mikitivity obviously has fixed-wing aircraft capabilities, we also have significant airship traffic. I wanted to confirm that nothing in this present draft represents any sort of restriction on our current proceedures for handling airship related traffic.


Our delegation has very little knowledge of air safety issues, and we consider this debate as an opportunity to learn. If our question is a clueless one, we ask the honorable representative of Mikitivity's indulgence.

Since airships transit the same airspace as other aircraft, wouldn't the same ATC and safety-related navigational measures apply? We'd think that there may be other measures specific to airships, but the ones mandated in this proposal would seem to apply across-the-board.

Lorelei M. Ahlmann
Ambassador-at-Large

Our delegation has very little knowledge of air safety issues, and we consider this debate as an opportunity to learn. If our question is a clueless one, we ask the honorable representative of Mikitivity's indulgence.

Since airships transit the same airspace as other aircraft, wouldn't the same ATC and safety-related navigational measures apply? We'd think that there may be other measures specific to airships, but the ones mandated in this proposal would seem to apply across-the-board.

Lorelei M. Ahlmann
Ambassador-at-Large

Ambassador Ahlmann,

I think the spirit of the regulations might be valid, but some of the specifics read on first glance to be designed with fixed-wing aircraft in mind:


Traffic alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) as an implementation of the Airborne Collision Avoidance System to be fitted to all aircraft over 5700 kg or authorized to carry more than 19 passengers, designed to reduce mid-air collisions;

Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards (ETOPS) as an acronym for a rule permitting newer twin-engine commercial air transports to fly routes that, at some points, are further than a distance of 60 minutes flying time from an emergency or diversion airport, and

Reduced vertical separation minimum (RVSM) as an initiative to cut the minimum vertical separation requirement between aircrafts between flight level 290 (29,000 ft.) and 410 (41,000 ft.) from 2,000 feet to 1,000 feet.

The first condition (which is where my question is really focused) lists a very specific weight limit on the aircraft, which may not be valid for all sizeable aircraft. One way to perhaps change that clause might be to add "or the equivalent", as the point of reducing mid-air collisions is very important and the key.

The second condition is considering emergency facilities, but it merely suggests that aircraft be within 60 minutes of air time of one of these facilities ... so it could easily apply to an airship.

The third condition again really applies to aircraft at high altitudes, which I believe (I do plan on double checking) does not apply to most of the airships that fly in Mikitivity airspace -- which means my government would naturally support this condition.

In general, the draft proposal seems to havewhat some might call popular aircraft specifics in mind, but what would ultimately be useful for the people of Mikitivity would be general standards that might allow airships to be considered as well. (This isn't a sticking point for my government though ... we'll naturally support any UN legislation that promotes safer skies.)

OOC: I've slowly been working on my nation's entire infrastructure via NSWiki, including the construction companies that build things such as airships. Long ago I created a short article on NSWiki for airships, as I seriously doubt I'm the only person here who loves them and wanted to incorporate 'blimps' and the like into his/her RP. If you have an airline or aircraft manufactor that you'd like to add to the lists on NSWiki, please do.


OOC; St Edmund definitely has airships (We're making arrangements to moor one to the roof of the UN Building, to house our embassy, after all...), but I haven't worked out any details about their manufacturers yet...

BELIEVING that the promotion of safe and efficient transportation of goods and people by aircraft, domestically and internationally, will not only result in the saving of lives, but will also enable the aviation industry to better promote the economies of the nations that adopt the new procedures, and

CONVINCED that the international standardization of airspace and air traffic procedures will be a positive step toward that goal,

The United Nations

DEFINES

Air Traffic Control (ATC) as a service provided by ground-based controllers who direct aircraft on the ground and in the air to ensure safe, orderly and expeditious traffic flow;

Traffic alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) as an implementation of the Airborne Collision Avoidance System to be fitted to all aircraft over 5700 kg or authorized to carry more than 19 passengers, designed to reduce mid-air collisions;

Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards (ETOPS) as an acronym for a rule permitting newer twin-engine commercial air transports to fly routes that, at some points, are further than a distance of 60 minutes flying time from an emergency or diversion airport, and

Reduced vertical separation minimum (RVSM) as an initiative to cut the minimum vertical separation requirement between aircrafts between flight level 290 (29,000 ft.) and 410 (41,000 ft.) from 2,000 feet to 1,000 feet.

REQUIRES that all UN member nations:

1. Provide all Air Traffic Control facilities with fully operational equipment and sufficient backup equipment to assure maximum safety while aircraft are flying under ATC guidance.

2. Standardize and expedite the upgrading and replacement of technology and equipment so that no ATC facility has outdated equipment.

3. Cooperate with the other UN members so as to produce new equipment that will further the goal to reduce aircraft incidents globally.

4. Standardize transition altitudes and air traffic procedures including the creation of RVSM airspace internationally.

5. Standardize Air Traffic Controller training.

MANDATES that all UN member nations shall:

6. Require that all communications in the air traffic system be made using standard phraseology

7. Require that TCAS be installed on all commercial aircraft.

8. Require that any aircraft that passes over any ocean be ETOPS certified so to ensure that aircraft will be able to reach the nearest airport even over extended distances.

http://users.pandora.be/bdc/Tadj/tajair.jpg
Tadjik Int'l Airlines

The Production of new equipment may improve safety but it is much more important to create a government led department that makes regular checks on aircraft on its airports.
Last week the Tadjik Air Security Department grounded an IL-76 transportaircraft because its tires were worn up to the extent where the wires(inside the tire) were exposed.
The same TASD has already reported a decline in accidents by 50% through raising and checking the standards or aircraft maintenance.

Zhenya Luchinsky
CEO Tajair

ooc: Furthermore it seems that this proposal brings a number of aircraft rules that exist IRL into NS, I'm not even a UN member but most of these are already standard in Tadjikistan. Often nations are not rich enough to buy new equipment, there are many RL examples in this case, this proposal would create serious financial problems for them.