Among the immediate refinements of Stars are bigger, clearer computer screens that can show colors, which will let controllers see weather information that includes the intensity of winds or rain, as well as the location of bad weather.
And although pilots should follow air traffic controller advice on weather conditions, the final decision on whether to fly or not is down to them.
Specifically, we assessed the impact on severe weather avoidance, controller efficiency, controller-pilot communications, and the safety of airspace operations when controllers managed traffic during adverse weather conditions.
In their hurry to land, the pilots ignored warnings from the Smolensk air traffic controllers about the weather; diverting the flight would mean delaying the ceremony, where thousands were already gathered.
Furthermore, these controllers were using weather data to adjust the amount of irrigation water applied automatically.
The aircraft lost contact with air traffic controllers in bad weather en route from the Indonesian city of Surabaya to Singapore.
In an article published Wednesday, French satirical weekly Le Canard Enchaîné (which often writes serious stories, such as this one) said the computer failure had affected a system known as DECOR, which is used by air traffic controllers to communicate weather information to pilots. Pilots rely on the system when weather conditions are poor.
For all the potential benefits to customers, the new rules would set strict limits on the amount of care and assistance airlines must provide in extraordinary circumstances beyond their control, like extreme weather or an air traffic controllers' strike.
The others crashed because of mechanical failures, weather or controller error.
According to the Raytheon Company, which is the Stars contractor, the new controller workstations also allow weather to be displayed in six different colors, and can accommodate dividing the airspace into smaller or larger sectors, as traffic conditions warrant.
