Failure by the US Federal Aviation Administration to secure sufficient funding for its planned overhaul of US air traffic management may lead to phased modernisation of the US National Airspace System (NAS).
The modernisation plan, NAS Version 3.0, is being reshaped into a phased programme, with upgrades introduced in increments to bring early benefits to users, says FAA Administrator Jane Garvey.
Standards developer RTCA has been asked to look into which elements of the modernisation plan should be implemented in the first phase, which Garvey describes as "Free Flight Phase 1". These include conflict probe, sequencing tools, initial phases of datalink and collaborative decision-making.
Conflict probe and sequencing tools are already in use at control centres in Indianapolis, and Phase 1 would incrementally increase the number of sites using these tools, Garvey says. Datalink and collaborative decision-making would also be introduced gradually to provide early cost savings in fuel and crew.
George Donohue, Associate Administrator for research and acquisition, says that the plan is for Phase 1 to be "fully defined and funded", allowing implementation to proceed. Funding to begin the phased modernisation will be sought in the fiscal year 1999 budget now before Congress.
Garvey has also asked RTCA to form a joint industry/Government task force to address certification issues related to NAS modernisation. Certification of the avionics required for free flight is considered to be one of the major risks.
Source: Flight International
