VFR Tower Equipment

Norskman · Post by **Norskman** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 2:08 pm

Could any tower controllers msg or post what your equipment is called (NARDS?) and what it stands for, if you can remember?

CD · Post by CD » Sun Aug 27, 2006 2:21 pm

NARDS - NavCanada Radar Display System

Extended Computer Display System

lilfssister · Post by **lilfssister** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 2:22 pm

Believe it is NAVCANADA Auxiliary Radar Display System?

Pygmie · Post by **Pygmie** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 9:21 pm

lilfssister wrote:Believe it is NAVCANADA Auxiliary Radar Display System?

You are correct.

Norskman · Post by **Norskman** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 9:38 pm

Thanks to all. That link was excellent as well CD.

Dust Devil · Post by **Dust Devil** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 9:42 pm

Kick 'em in the NARDS

Wolfman don't have NARDS........

.....Wolfmans got NARDS

twice_banned · Post by **twice_banned** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 4:56 pm

Norskman wrote:Thanks to all. That link was excellent as well CD.

Just so there is no confusion -- that link describes EXCDS, which is the touch-screen interface used to pass flight data between towers and terminals in most parts of the country now. EXCDS has nothing to do with NARDS.

NARDS is a radar display that is used by towers and some FSS, and as a backup in the centres. The centres run a different system as the main radar displays/system.

Pygmie · Post by **Pygmie** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 7:22 pm

Actually, that link was describing IIDS, the system on which many other programs run, including BOTH EXCDS and NARDS. Just so there is no confusion. . .

Norskman · Post by **Norskman** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 7:31 pm

Exactly Pygmie.

So I'm guessing that a tower controller uses:
Extended Computer Display System (EXCDS)
Operational Information Display System (OIDS)
Air Traffic Flow Management System (ATFM)
NAV CANADA Radar Display System (NARDS)

And probably:
Airfield Lighting Control System (ALCS)

MAYBE this, but probably not:
Computer Visual Information Display System (CVIDS)

With this running in the background:
NAV CANADA Aircraft Movement System (NCAMS)

Any tower controllers care to confirm?

CD · Post by CD » Thu Aug 31, 2006 4:09 am

Norskman wrote:Exactly Pygmie.

So I'm guessing that a tower controller uses:...

You forgot the MARK I Eyeball.

Norskman · Post by **Norskman** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 6:42 am

CD wrote: You forgot the MARK I Eyeball.

The most important piece of equipment!! How could I forget!

Thanks!

Pygmie · Post by **Pygmie** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 12:19 pm

Actually, the towers do use CVIDS. Most of the stuff on the CVIDS the tower controllers probably know right off the top of their head (like airport layouts and SID departures), but some of the emergency stuff, as well as designators and identifiers can be quite helpful to have easy access to.

Also, the flow management stuff is only really used by the busier airports, and I think that it's mainly handled from the ACC (we don't use it, so I can't say exactly how it's handled).

Other then that, you're quite correct. All these systems run on the IIDS, and each position has one system and multiple monitors, so you can move the windows around and set them up according to what you need at the time.