NATS / Airbox' GPS UK airspace warning unit, Aware
NATS (National Air Traffic Services) and Airbox Aerospace Limited, a British aviation navigation company, are launching Aware, a new GPS-based moving map device designed to tackle the increasing incidence of airspace infringement in the UK.
The design brief for the device was that it should be “an affordable airspace alerting and positional awareness device that can be regularly updated with the latest airspace information”.
Its creators say they expect the Aware unit, which retails at £149 (including VAT), will become an essential part of every General Aviation pilot’s kit. Each unit comes loaded with ICAO 1:500,000 charts for the UK and the NATS airspace database.
“The integrity of the NATS data is second to none,” explained Airbox technical director William Moore, “and combined with Airbox’s advanced GPS engine and a very low price point, we believe that this tool will make a significant contribution to flight safety in the UK.”
Airbox say that one of the main advantages of the Aware system is that pilots can keep the airspace definition in their units up to date at no cost, by downloading free monthly updates from www.airspaceaware.com . Data on the site is updated in conjunction with AIRAC cycle updates to the UK AIP. Users who are subscribed will also receive e-mail alerts on significant changes to airspace.
Aware will be available in early 2010. Preorders can be made at www.airspaceaware.com
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