Air traffic control is one of the world's youngest professions, like many modern profession it has developed from humblest beginnings into a highly sophisticated and technology dependant occupation The year 1926 was marked as the eve of ATC in the world. It wasn't discovered or invented but it has evolved gradually, driven by need. Circumstances have dictated that it developed slightly differently from region to region, from country to country; however the basic principles remain the same . ATC is the art or(science) of maintaining safety of air traffic. This tool of maintaining safety in the air and on ground is two fold:

• Human; and
• Technology. Mixed together to form what we say : Air Traffic Services (ATS).

In late (forties) Lebanon witnessed this aviation evolution, bridging. Europe and Asia serving a flight information region (FIR) was extending from 30 to 40 East Latitude. to, rest at present time:

( see Lebanese airspace figure 1 ):

• Over Lebanese territory ,and
• A semi circular area extending 45 NMs to the West of Lebanon Over the Mediterranean sea of centered at Beirut airport
  (see figure 1)

figure 1 (Beirut Airspace)

(Not to be used for Navigation)

• prevent collision between aircraft & between aircraft and vehicles.
• Expedite and maintain and orderly flow of air traffic.
• Provide advise & information useful for the safe and efficient conduct of flight.
• Notify appropriate organization regarding aircraft in need of search and rescue.

1. Area control center ( ACC ):
   Air traffic control service is provided ,by air traffic controllers who can provide radar and non radar services.
   
   
   Radar service is provided by the use of Raytheon AUTOTRAC (PSR and SSR) radar , where four identical working positions are available , equipped with the required communication facilities (VHF and intercom facilities … etc ).at each working position, with additional flight data displays(FDD) and strip printers, the latter are planned primarily as a back up equipment, designed primarily to be operated by controllers as a conventional method of separation between aircraft in case of sudden radar failure.
   Controllers are trained to continue a non radar separation in a safe and orderly manner.
   
   Beirut area control center (ACC) is equipped with Raytheon auto track 2 , which is, multi sensor system with three dimensional tracking algorithm able to process up to 550 discrete aircraft and able depict:
   
   
   • CA: Conflict alerts,
   • Maws: minimum safe altitude warning
   • Airspace monitoring
   • Hand offs

   
   figure 2 ( Beirut radar and ACC)

2. Approach control unit
   Due to the limited airspace in Lebanon the terminal airspace is divided vertically as follows:
   
   
   • the airspace extending upwards from 14500 ( FL 145 ) is the area control service.
   • the airspace extending downwards from 14500 (FL145) to 3000ft.
   
   These services are provided through the use of radar or non radar. In order to perform these objectives Beirut ACC is equipped with direct communication facilities with Damascus ACC(of Syria) and Nicosia ACC (of Cyprus) to have necessary and continuous coordination mechanism as required internationally on 24 hours basis.
   
   
3. Aerodrome control tower (VFR)
   Beirut aerodrome control tower issues information and clearances to air traffic under figure 3 (Beirut tower from outside) its control to achieve a safe orderly flow of air traffic on and in the vicinity of the airport which is technically called as (control zone) (this extends later ally to 8.5 NMS in the direction of approaches and vertically UP to 3000ft the main tasks of the control tower is prevent collision between:
   
   
   1. Aircraft A/C in traffic circuit;
   2. A/C in the monoeuvering area;
   3. A/C and vehicles on the monoeuvring area .
   4. A/C and obstruction (see figure 2)

   
   figure 3 (Beirut Hariri Tower from outside)

   
   Beirut tower controllers' prime responsibility is to maintain continuous visual watch on all flight operations on and in the vicinity of the airport. This service is provided in two different working positions and can be supported by additional one when required.
   
   
   • Aerodrome controllers : are responsible for A/C operating on the runways or flying within his area of responsibility.
   • Ground controllers : are responsible for traffic on the monoenuvring areas(ground) excluding runways. (see figure 3)
   
   

   
   figure 4 (Beirut tower from inside)

4. Marshalling This service is provided by trained marshallers, who assign gates and stands and lead aircraft by (a follow me car) to their parking positions on 24 hours (see fig 5) basis to :
   1. Main terminal (A ) (fig7). or to
   2. General aviation terminal (B) .( fig. 6)

   
   fig. 5 Beirut Rafic Hariri Airport ( parking )

   
   figure 6 Terminal B (General Aviation)

   
   fig. 7 Terminal A (Airport main building)

5. Aeronautical information Service (AIS) 1. AIS is responsible for the issuance and follow up of the AIS packages :
   
   
   • issuance of ( AIP ) Aeronautical information publication ( AIP) and its amendments (AMDT) and supplements)
   • (NOTAMS) Notice to airmen (NOTAMS)
   • (AIRAC) (Aeronautical information regulation and control)
   • (AIC) aeronautical information circulars.
   • Flight plans (FPLs).
   • Repetitive ( RPLs)
   • Daily FPLS
   
   And any amendments thereto :change (CHG),cancel(CNL),departure (DEP), and arrival(ARR) messages.
   
   AIS office is equipped with modern automated system ( ATALIS II) which can:
   
   
   • send and receive all AIS package
   • Issue and receive NOTAMS and collecting data useful for air traffic safety.
   • Store, send, receive: flight plans (FPL,s) and any changes thereto to all concerned
   • AIS through ATALIS II is able to produce charts useful for air navigation according to ICAO requirements.
   • Procedure design related to instrument approaches

   
   

   Beirut ATM/ATC ,which are matching the present is looking forward to the future developments: CNS(Communication ,Navigation, and Surveillance)
   
   Based on the ICAO requirements, GNSS Global Navigation Satellite System and navigation based on GPS will improve the existing systems aiming firstly to promote safety for air traffic and secondly:
   
   
   • to reduce delays, and
   • optimize the use of the Lebanese airspace
   
   The developments of automated tools , and through the use of, CNS/ATM , GNSS and RVSM we in this are supporting aviation industry and helping controllers by reducing workload in order to ensure a high level of safety by:
   
   
   • Reducing the workload of both pilots and controllers
   • Optimizing and harmonizing the Lebanese airspace classification organization and utilization
   • Global and efficient development approval and application of regulations.
   • Uniform adoption and application of the safety cases and reporting scheme.
   • Utilization of human resources and application of common regulations.