Can todays Artifical Intelligence (AI) technology support, logging automatically flight activities at small aerodromes based on transponder and visual information. 
A cooperation was initiated in 2021 with the aeroclub NRW e.V., Rennefeld airfield (EDKR) and iwiation. 

Based on iwiation's many years of experience in the field of reconstructing flight parameters using videos, a prototype was developed that is in use for a study at the Rennefeld airfield since summer of 2021 around the clock (24/7).
​In 2022 additional airfields in Germany are supporting the project and have installed an iwiAI system.

This system visually records and classifies objects located on the airfield site, such as aircraft, cars, people (in compliance with data protection regulations), animals, etc. and documents their reconstructed GPS position with time stamp.
The system is also able to send information and alerts in real time to the aerodrome operator via a messenger service, such as alerts when in example people are on the runway when an aircraft is landing.

October 2022 - Artificial Intelligence Award by Excellence Club Aerospace
During Excellence Club Aerospace Award ceremony on October 4th, 2022 in Toulouse, iwiation received the 2022 Artificial Intelligence Aerospace Excellence Club Award for their innovative project iwiAI.

Airfields equipped with an iwiAI System:
The system processes in addition local ADSB and FLARM data to consider registered aircraft movements in the area to generate alerts. The logic of those warnings and is based on the ICAO standard.

​In order to be able to present the system and its functions at Aero 2022, a cooperation was agreed with Friedrichshafen Airport (EDNY) in March 2022, which supports the test operation of an iwiAI system at the airport.

Flight Operations Assistance

Visual Object Detection & Classification​


The system detects objects that are within the cameras observed area. It classifies different object categories and shows the detection in the camera image and on the map. Further the object position is calculated, providing a GPS location with actual timestamp. In case the system detects a person, the marked area is pixeled to ensure data privacy.

ADSB and FLARM Detection


All aircrafts that are equipped with an activate ADSB or FLARM system are detected within the airport area​. The actual aircrafts position, its latest flight path and altitude are illustrated on the airfield map.
The data is used to document take-offs and landings.

Aerodrome Operations Report

The data collected by the system over the past 12 months is used to generate regular operational reports. For all aircrafts registered at the airport, the flight time is recorded with UTC times. In addition, all other external aircraft that have landed at the airfield are documented with the registered number plate and the assigned date and UTC time. This function supports the airfield operations monitoring around the clock. In addition, the report completes the local airfield activities taking into account visually recognized and classified objects.

Airfield Safety

24/7 Operation

The system operates 24/7 and its operation mode is changed automatically considering current geo referenced civil twilight. The operation mode can be changed from "Normal Operation" (airfield is in normal operation), to "Airfield Closed" (in example after civil twilight to surveil the airport in protected mode) up to "System Off" (turing the system off).
The system architecture is a mix of cloud based and local computing processes. This allows the operator in charge to access the system information via computer or mobile devices. The system operates at all weather conditions.

Airfield Dashcam

Similar to a classic dashcam, the system records high-resolution individual images for the last 24 hours. These images are dated with timestamp information, encrypted and can be called up with our help in urgent situations. This can help to clarify safety-critical situations. The recording function of single images can be stopped by the responsible operator in an emergency.

Connectivity

The system provides in real-time messages to the mobile phone of the aerodrome responsible. Information about approaching and departing aircrafts are provided, as well as take-offs and landings are documented. 
The aerodrome is configured with georeferenced alarm zones that are used for the iwiAI warning and alarm logic.
In example detecting a person on the runway in combination with the ADSB/FLARM information of a landing aircraft triggers an alarm. Protected areas will trigger as well alarms when persons or vehicles are entering those.
In case the airfield is closed, being in "Surveillance Mode", any aircraft movement / landing or departure will be reported as an alarm. This shall avoid any illeagal aircraft operation when the airfield is closed. 

​Improving Safety

EDKR, 2022 June 12

On 12th June 2022, two accidents occurred at the same day during paraglider training exercise at the Rennefeld airfield in Germany. Both paragliders were seriously injured during landing. The airfield is equipped with two iwiAI systems, that observe the airfield operation 24/7 visually including ADSB and Flarm information. The accident event was recorded by the device, as it captures single images of the last 24 hours. Further the system detected objects like aircraft, paraglider, vehicle and persons, logging the objects visually calculated GPS position with timestamp. Based on this information, the scenario could be reconstructed with the iwiAI information, the flight path information reconstructed and the vertical speed of the paragliders during landing calculated. The system supports as an assistance system the flight controller in charge as well as the airfield operator.