The Future Is Here with the AMC Portal System

The new regulations (EU) 2019/947 on the rules and procedures for the operation of unmanned aircraft and (EU) 2019/945 of 12 March 2019 on unmanned aircraft systems and on third-country operators of unmanned aircraft systems, effective as of January 2021, actually have not changed the already established procedures for UAS operations in Zagreb FIR within the AMC Portal and the associated mobile application (the AMC Portal System). 

The planning and implementation of large-scale international military exercises is a complex and demanding process in itself, and the use of huge volumes of airspace that were not previously designed and published in relevant aeronautical publications (eAIP) presents an additional challenge for designing and publishing such airspace structures (military zones) to other users, because they pose a danger to other civil traffic and have a significant impact on its normal flow, planning and implementation.

The AMC Portal as an ASM tool enables easy, fast and secure access to airspace for a variety of state operations. One of the more important tasks and operations conducted in the airspace is executed by Orbiter 3 UAS operated by military in support of civil state institutions. Due to its low speed and high endurance, Orbiter 3 UAS requires relatively large areas of airspace for its operations.

Croatia Control (CCL) presented the capabilities of the AMC Portal at a joint booth with DJI and M SAN Grupa at the European Emergency Number Association (EENA) Conference 2019 in Dubrovnik, April 10 to 13.

AMC Portal: A Valuable Asset in Times of Earthquakes (January 21, 2021)
A great job controlling the airspace and enabling all airspace users to provide their services following a strong earthquake that struck the Croatian Sisak-Moslavina County on December 29, 2020, was done using the AMC Portal and its mobile application.

Just as it affected civil air traffic, the COVID-19 crisis also affected other airspace activities.
Decisions of the national Civil Protection Headquarters of the Republic of Croatia on preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the form of restricting the gathering of large groups of people in the open were monitored in traditional ways by the employees of the Ministry of the Interior and the Civil Protection Headquarters, and for the first time, UASs were used for this purpose.

SAR operations today are becoming inconceivable without the use of unmanned aircraft systems. That is now proven in everyday practice, not only during training but also in real life emergency response operations. The UAS technology made it easier to sweep highly inaccessible terrain or vast expanses of terrain and to spot those in need of urgent assistance. It would be foolish to save lives by endangering others, so using UASs in a safe way is a major concern. One of the crucial things during SAR operations is not to waste any time. The AMC Portal is a key enabler to launch UAS-assisted SAR operations almost instantly, anywhere in airspace. Using the AMC Portal System and procedures in place, first responders can tactically secure any portion of airspace to conduct search and rescue operations safely. Supporting operations through the AMC Portal not only secures airspace for SAR operations but also alerts other UAS users and any concerned traffic of such activities in their vicinity via air traffic control.

Emergency services recognized the advantage of using unmanned aircraft systems very quickly, so their application in firefighting became regular and necessary. UASs are used to prevent the occurrence of fire or for early fire detection, which is especially important during the dry summer months. They are also used for the monitoring and reconnaissance of active fire scenes, which enables a quick assessment of the further spread as well as the extent of the fire. In urban areas, their application in firefighting is comprehensive: from the inspection of inaccessible or hard-to-reach locations (such as roofs, power lines, etc.) in a fast and efficient manner while at the same time reducing the exposure of firefighters to such dangerous places, and the duration of inspection and monitoring.

It became clear that we are doing a good job with the AMC Portal System immediately after its first public presentation at the WATM Congress in Madrid and the great interest shown for it by ATM, ASM, and UTM experts during the exhibition.
The air navigation service provider of Bosnia and Herzegovina – BHANSA – immediately approached the representatives of CCL, wishing a more detailed presentation of the system’s capabilities.

The Croatian Mountain Rescue Service (HGSS), as one of the first services to start using unmanned aircraft systems for their own needs, saw all the benefits as well as the reliability and speed of this tool that is of great importance to them in doing their job.

Military users got an additional graphic representation of airspace occupancy and future activities planned by civilian and military users, which is updated in real time, so they can act in time and adjust their operations if necessary. Military UAS operators make the most of the mobile application, with the added safety for flying at low altitudes due to the control of UAS operations.

For their needs and the identification of approved UAS flights, the police can quickly access all data on drone users and see the location of their operations through the system. Just like all state services that are in the AMC Portal System, the police can also quickly start an activity and terminate other civilian activities, as well as check the general situation in the air. Added safety for flying at low altitudes due to the control of UAS operations.

Other emergency services have the benefit of quickly activating the requested airspace and clearing the area from other users who are not part of the emergency operation.