DataManager
Today, there is a wealth of information and data that a Procedure Designer, Aerodrome safe-guarder or other personnel involved in airport operations can access to assist in the design process of flight procedures and airport operations. This data needs to be collected and placed in a data store for use on-demand, quickly and efficiently. At ASD, we recognise this requirement and have developed unique products to complement our PDToolKit product range.
DataManager compliments PDToolKit quality operation having been created to encompass the complete procedure design data requirement with the fluent work flow needed from survey data capture through Procedure Design and presentation of the data in a graphical (charted) environment. DataManager comprises of a comprehensive set of essential component tools that support the user in the PD Design work flow.
Managing and manipulating data sources are a key part in controlling the data work flow. Most geographical data is required to be imported, processed and then passed to PDToolKit for bulk import using the unique PDToolKit script file language (PDT Script).
Importing data
A key feature of DataManager is the ability to import and process data from different sources; the following is a list of aviation industry standard formats that are supported:
PDTScript Language – A scripting language that allows bulk data to be added to the CAD software using the obstacle, NAVAIDS and surface construction tools in PDToolKit. This is a simple script language and can easily be created from existing products. i.e. Microsoft Access / Microsoft Excel.
CAP232/1732 – This is a UK specification defining a common standard format for the data of the airport survey with CRC checking.
DVOF – This is a UK specification defining a common standard format for the data in the country.
AIXM 4.5 – EAD SDO AIXM Snapshot message files (XML): This supports the importation of data from AIXM (EAD SDO). Data like point obstacles, NavAids, Routes etc are handled.
AIXM 5.1.x – Support for this version of AIXM Snapshot message files (XML) for point obstacles, NavAids, etc. will be added when needed.
CSV – Comma Separated Values; this is a generic format where data is listed in predefined columns defined by ASD. This is ideal for a user to prepare their own data to be imported if it is stored in a proprietary format or database.
The Import Wizard
Due to the enormous variety of surveyor supplied CSV type text formats, ASD developed an import wizard designed to handle as hoc formats in a repeatable manner. The wizard allows columns in the source data to be mapped to PDToolKit properties.
More formats are being added all the time and if a customer has a format that is unique, then this could be added to the DataManager upon discussion with ASD.