ICAO Space Weather User Workshop

On 20 October, ICAO -the International Civil Aviation Organization- organised a Space Weather User Workshop on the provision and use of space weather information for international civil air navigation. The STCE contributed significantly.

Introduction
ICAO, the International Civil Aviation Organization, is a specialized agency of the United Nations that coordinates the principles and techniques of international air navigation. The STCE is member of the PECASUS consortium that provides specific space weather (SWx) advisories for the benefit of civil aviation. On 20 October, the ICAO organised a Space Weather User Workshop gathering airlines, air traffic organisations, regulators and global space weather (SWx) centres at the Italian Air Force Headquarters in Rome, Italy. Its aim was to engage aviation stakeholders in discussions on the ICAO Space Weather Information Service (SWIS). The discussions focused on the operational use of SWx advisories for GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite Systems, such as GPS and Galileo), High Frequency communications (HF ; 3-30 MHz), and radiation, and on upcoming format changes to make the advisories more precise for flight operations.

STCE contributions
The STCE contributed in various ways. 

  • First of all, Yana Maneva (ROB/SIDC – STCE/PECASUS) gave a talk (link) on the new SWIS education and guidance materials that are used in training and briefings for aviation users.
  • STCE also provided operational lessons learned from its numerous PECASUS "On Duty Centre" roles and joined the multi-agency debrief of the May 2024 storm to translate impacts into user-relevant procedures.
  • With partners, the STCE/SIDC is preparing tools and training for the polygon-based advisory areas (up to six corners) and related field updates (e.g. severity linked to polygons, DAYSIDE/NIGHTSIDE keywords,...) which are now planned for November 2025. More accurate advisory geometry and clearer metadata help dispatchers, pilots and ANSPs (Air Navigation Service Providers) to localise risk faster and choose workable routes, altitudes and HF frequencies (3-30 MHz). STCE will reflect these changes in its pilot guidance and forecaster workflows to keep aviation users aligned with the evolving ICAO SWIS.

Related links
STCE/PECASUS: user's guide to space weather advisories for pilots (overview and training resource).

PECASUS service (global ICAO SWx centre led by FMI).

STCE tailored courses on space weather impacts on aviation

ICAO flyer (PDF): the workshop flyer is available online.

 

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