SLC Associates

Since 1984 the UK based company SLC Associates have been providing WGS-84 geospatial survey services specialising in aeronautical applications such as WGS-84 aerodrome surveys and eTOD services. These services find solutions for airport development and licensing matters as well as airspace design and approach procedures.

SLC are the largest private aeronautical survey specialist in Europe and have carried out more than 200 WGS-84 projects worldwide, including: South America, Caribbean, West and East Africa and the Middle East.

SLC also develop their own specialist software such as AST-Pro™ which is design to assist in aerodrome safeguarding tasks. They have also developed GDMS-Desktop™ and GDMS-Enterprise™ specifically for eTOD data handling and visualisation tasks.

Geomatic Solutions

To provide these aeronautical surveying services SLC Associates use geomatic technologies. Geomatics is the term given to the collection, analysis and use of geographic information from a range of sources including land surveying, aerial photography, laser scanning and satellite imagery. This information creates intelligent 3D maps which have now become commonplace with the development of in car satellite navigation and  office environment management systems. These geomatic solutions provide highly detailed information to ensure SLC are able to give accurate advice in relation to airport and airspace development.

Airport Surveying

SLC Associates have performed more than 105 WGS-84 airport surveys at UK airports since 1995. For the majority of these airports they continue to maintain the update the data every year. Outside of the UK SLC Associates have worked with IATA and ICAO on the implementation of GNSS schemes. SLC have also worked on many other airport surveying projects overseas resulting in an additional 95 WGS-84 airport surveys.

SLC Associates are striving to formulate a solution for the entire industry in response to the introduction of ICAO Annex 15 Chapter 10 (Electronic Terrain & Obstacle Data). SLC are working closely with industry partners to produce a solution that meets five key requirements.

• The solution will not interrupt ATC operations, ensuring no downtime for the airport.
• It will be utilisable in any environment irrespective of local dangers or complications allowing every airport to take advantage of this solution.
• It will combine the obstacle and terrain surveys into one operation.
• It will meet the increased accuracy directives of ICAO Annex 14, Annex 4 and Doc 9674 to name a few.
• Finally the solution will be economically viable ensuring it is within the reach of those who need it.