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AVIATION NEWS: July 2000
FAA Flight Data Link Becomes Operational at Oshkosh
APA 56-2000
July 28, 2000
Contact: Kathryn B. Creedy
Phone: 202-267-3462
WASHINGTON, DC - For the first time, general aviation aircraft will be able to get cockpit displays of digital weather graphics and text through a service sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration. The agency's Flight Information Service Data Link (FISDL) becomes operational during the Experimental Aircraft Association's (EAA) Air Venture 2000.
"Weather is one of the leading factors cited in aviation accidents with over one third of all fatal accidents in all sectors of aviation involving weather," said FAA Administrator Jane Garvey. "FISDL will enhance situational awareness and improve safety-related information to the pilot, both critical to preventing accidents."
FISDL will provide basic text weather information directly to general aviation pilots at no cost after meeting the additional avionics requirements. Using a small display in the cockpit, flight crews will be able to receive the basic text messages including Aviation Routine Weather Reports, Special Aviation Reports, Terminal Area Forecasts, Significant Meteorological Information, Convective Sigmets, Airman's Meteorological Information, Pilot Reports and Severe Weather Forecast Alerts issued by FAA or the National Weather Service.
There will also be graphical products such as NEXRAD maps and other text products such as Special Use Airspace and Notices to Airmen available through a subscription service. The FISDL service is designed to provide coverage throughout the National Airspace System.
FISDL is a government-industry partnership with Arnav Systems and Honeywell International, both of which will act as service providers for FAA's information. Under the five-year agreements signed during the 1999 Experimental Aircraft Association's AirVenture, both Arnav and Honeywell Bendix/King will receive two nationwide data link frequencies for the broadcast of basic aviation weather reports as well as additional information they provide by subscription. The Arnav system will be available at the 2000 EAA AirVenture, while the Honeywell Bendix/King system comes on line in the Fall.
Avionics requirements include a VHF data radio and a multifunction display unit capable of displaying digital graphic and text messages.
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U.S. Transportation Secretary Slater Announces Contracts Worth Up to $259 Million for Advanced Security Equipment and Threat Imaging X-Rays
DOT 139-00
July 19, 2000
Contact: Rebecca Trexler
Phone: 202-267-3462
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Rodney E. Slater today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded contracts to purchase additional certified explosives detection systems and trace explosives devices for the nation's airports, and will begin purchasing X-ray machines with new imaging software to improve screener performance.
"This state-of-the-art equipment means ever higher standards of security at our nations airports," Secretary Slater said. "These systems will further enhance the safety of the traveling public, which is President Clinton's and Vice President Gore's highest transportation priority."detectionperformance.
"We're continuing the massive deployment of advanced security equipment that began in 1997 after the White House Commission on Aviation Safety and Security led by Vice President Al Gore made its recommendations," said FAA Administrator Jane F. Garvey. "We're also addressing the commission's recommendation to increase screener professionalism by replacing every airport security checkpoint X-ray machine in the country with X-rays installed with our new threat imaging software."
The Threat Image Projection (TIP) system projects digital images of hundreds of different guns, knives and bombs onto the X-ray displays to test screeners' abilities to detect threat objects. While the screener is on duty, TIP projects the images at random into real carry-on bags going through the X-ray or inside bag images created by TIP. When a screener hits the button to stop the suspect bag, TIP flashes a "congratulations" for detecting the threat and records the screener's performance. It also records missed threat images.
TIP not only will help train screeners and keep them more alert, but also will allow companies to monitor each screener's performance. Those who need retraining in detecting specific items can be removed and retrained, while those who have general difficulty in detecting threat images could be shifted to other responsibilities, such as operating hand wands or trace detectors. It also will give the FAA objective data for measuring the screening companies' performance. Under a proposed rule expected to become final next year, companies could lose FAA certification if their screeners don't meet performance standards.
The FAA recently announced three contracts worth a total of up to $120 million to Rapiscan Security Products of Hawthorne, Calif.; PerkinElmer Instruments of Long Beach, Calif.; and Heimann Systems of Pine Brook, N.J., that would allow the agency to purchase up to 800 TIP-installed X-rays machines from each vendor. The agency initially is purchasing 11 units from each vendor for testing and to refine data collection methods. Over the next three years, the FAA expects to replace X-ray machines at every airport security checkpoint in the country with new TIP-installed X-rays, for a total of more than 1,200 units.
The agency also is continuing its deployment of explosives trace detection devices for carry-on items and FAA-certified explosives detection systems for checked bags. This equipment is already operational at 80 U.S. airports, and with continuing funding the FAA expects to extend the deployment to more than 400 airports across the country. There are now 101 FAA-certified explosives detection systems deployed and 587 explosives trace detection devices.
To continue the deployment, the FAA recently awarded contracts worth up to $50 million total to Barringer Instruments Inc. of Warren, N.J.; Ion Track Instruments of Wilmington, Mass.; and Thermedics Detection Inc. of Chelmsford, Mass., for the purchase of up to 210 trace explosives detection devices from each vendor.
The agency also is announcing a contract to L-3 Communications of New York, N.Y., worth up to $89 million for up to 60 of their new FAA-certified explosives detection systems, the eXaminer 3DX 6000. The FAA initially is purchasing five units at an average value of about $1.8 million each for operational testing in the airport environment.
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Media Advisory - Capstone Technology Open House
APA 55-00
July 18, 2000
Contact: Kathryn B. Creedy
Phone: 202-267-3462
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Alaska's Industry Council and the University of Alaska will hold a Capstone Technology Open House on August 23-24, 2000 at the University of Alaska and at Bethel, AK.
The Capstone Program demonstrates advanced technologies and avionics that will dramatically improve aviation safety in Alaska and provide data for ultimate application in improving the National Airspace System.
HIGHLIGHTS:
The University of Alaska is conducting the training for Capstone as well as conducting an in-depth safety study and assessment of the Capstone program. Demonstrations will include:
* The university's training program.
* Live ADS-B traffic on controller displays and Capstone avionics
* Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) capabilities
* GPS approach development
* Flight Information Services transmitted via data link to pilots.
* Flight following capabilities for dispatchers.
BACKGROUND:
The Capstone Program equips 150 aircraft used by commercial operators in Alaska with a combined data link and Global Positioning System (GPS)-based avionics package designed to increase the situational awareness of pilots in averting mid-air collisions and controlled flight into terrain. A simple, high capacity, multifunction broadcast data link known as the Universal Access Transceiver (UAT) supports all air-air, air-ground and ground-air data link in Capstone. Capstone will:
* Enable pilots to perform GPS approaches at airports in the rugged Yukon-Kuskokwim area.
* Afford pilots ability to see Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast )ADS-B) traffic via a cockpit display.
* Deliver weather information to the cockpit.
* Interface ADS-B-based surveillance with existing ATC automation system to provide radar-like ATC services to participants in the Capstone area. Future enhancements will allow pilots of Capstone-equipped aircraft to see radar targets via Traffic Information Service-Broadcast (TIS-B) for all nearby aircraft.
The airborne avionics are complemented by ground-based infrastructure providing weather, data link communications, surveillance and Flight Information Services. Avionics capabilities include:
* An IFR-certified GPS navigation receiver
* Broadcast data link transmitter/receiver (UAT).
* A multi-function display with traffic and terrain advisories.
* Weather information (text and graphics) directly to the cockpit.
* TIS-B providing radar traffic information.
* Terrain database
* IFR database
Rooms have been set aside at the Sheraton Anchorage and Regal Alaskan hotels and must be booked immediately as the block of rooms will expire shortly. Mention you are attending the Capstone open house.
Sheraton: 1-800-478-8700
Regal: 1-800-800-544-0553
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Statement on Land and Hold Short Operations
APA 54-00
July 14, 2000
Contact: William Shumann
Phone: 202-267-3883
WASHINGTON - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is pleased that the airlines, airline pilot groups and others in the aviation industry have reached agreement on continuing Land and Hold Short Operations (LAHSO). As a result, the FAA will shortly issue an order implementing changes to LAHSO. The order, which goes into effect August 14, will permit expanded use of LAHSO and thereby increase the capacity and efficiency of the air traffic system.
LAHSO is an aviation procedure that has been used safely since 1968. It increases capacity at airports with intersecting runways by allowing aircraft to land and stop on long runways before anintersection with another runway. Stopping short allows the air traffic controller to have another aircraft take off or land on the intersecting runway. LAHSO have been refined through years of operational experience and cooperation among the FAA, airlines, pilots and controllers.
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Media Advisory - FAA Dedicates New Display System Replacement at Washington Air Route Traffic Control Center
APA 53-00
July 13, 2000
Contact: Paul Turk
Phone: 202-267-3883
Secretary of Transportation Rodney Slater and FAA Administrator Jane Garvey will dedicate the 20th and final Display System Replacement (DSR) at Washington Air Route Traffic Control Center tomorrow.
The $1 billion DSR program modernizes the FAA enroute air traffic control system's computer and display equipment. DSR provides high reliability and availability through hardware redundancy, fault-tolerant software design, and primary and backup networks. It replaces aging equipment and serves as a platform for future ATC systems upgrades. Washington Center was the last of FAA's 20 enroute centers to bring the new equipment on line.
Who: Secretary of Transportation Rodney Slater and
FAA Administrator Jane Garvey
What: Dedication
Where: ARTCC, 825 East Market Street, Leesburg, VA
When: July 14, 2000
Noon: Media Facility Tour and B-roll opportunity - Press should meet in training rooms 245 and 246.
1:30 p.m.: Dedication Ceremony - Immediately following the dedication ceremony the Secretary, Administrator and others will be available for brief media interviews.
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FAA Gives Costa Rica IASA Rating of Category 1
APA 50-00
July 3, 2000
Contact: Paul Takemoto
Phone: 202-267-3462
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced that Costa Rica complies with international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), giving the country a Category 1 rating following a reassessment of the country's civil aviation authority on May 23-25. Costa Rica previously did not comply with ICAO standards.
This announcement is part of the FAA's International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) program, under which the agency assesses the civil aviation authorities of all countries with air carriers that operate to the U.S., and makes that information available to the public.
The assessments are not an indication of whether individual foreign carriers are safe or unsafe; rather, they determine whether or not foreign civil aviation authorities are meeting ICAO safety standards, not FAA regulations.
Travelers may call 1-800-FAA-SURE (1-800-322-7873) to obtain a summary statement about whether a foreign civil aviation authority has been assessed and the results, if available.
Countries with air carriers that fly to the U.S. must adhere to the safety standards of ICAO, the United Nations' technical agency for aviation that establishes international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance.
The FAA, with the cooperation of the host civil aviation authority, assesses countries with airlines that have operating rights to or from the United States, or have requested such rights.
Specifically, the FAA determines whether a foreign civil aviation authority has an adequate infrastructure for international aviation safety oversight as defined by ICAO standards. The basic elements that the FAA considers necessary include: 1) laws enabling the appropriate government office to adopt regulations necessary to meet the minimum requirements of ICAO; 2) current regulations that meet those requirements; 3) procedures to carry out the regulatory requirements; 4) air carrier certification, routine inspection, and surveillance programs; and 5) organizational and personnel resources to implement and enforce the above.
The FAA has established two ratings for the status of these civil aviation authorities at the time of the assessment: (1) does comply with ICAO standards, (2) does not comply with ICAO standards.
- Category 1. Does Comply with ICAO Standards: A civil aviation authority has been assessed by FAA inspectors and has been found to license and oversee air carriers in accordance with ICAO aviation safety standards.
- Category 2. Does Not Comply with ICAO Standards: The Federal Aviation Administration assessed this country's civil aviation authority (CAA) and determined that it does not provide safety oversight of its air carrier operators in accordance with theminimum safety oversight standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). This rating is applied if one or more of the following deficiencies are identified:
(1) the country lacks laws or regulations necessary to support the certification and oversight of air carriers in accordance withminimum international standards; (2) the CAA lacks the technical expertise, resources, and organization to license or oversee air carrier operations; (3) the CAA does not have adequately trained and qualified technical personnel; (4) the CAA does not provide adequate inspector guidance to ensure enforcement of, and compliance with, minimum international standards; and (5) the CAA has insufficient documentation and records of certification and inadequate continuing oversight and surveillance of air carrier operations. This category consists of two groups of countries.
- One group is countries that have air carriers with existing operations to the United States at the time of the assessment. While in Category 2 status, carriers from these countries will be permitted to continue operations at current levels under heightened FAA surveillance. Expansion or changes in services to the United States by such carriers are not permitted while in category 2, although new services will be permitted if operated using aircraft wet-leased from a duly authorized and properly supervised U.S. carrier or a foreign air carrier from a category 1 country that is authorized to serve the United States using its own aircraft.
- The second group is countries that do not have air carriers with existing operations to the United States at the time of the assessment. Carriers from these countries will not be permitted to commence service to the United States while in Category 2 status, although they may conduct services if operated using aircraft wet-leased from a duly authorized and properly supervised U.S. carrier or a foreign air carrier from a Category 1 country that is authorized to serve the United States with its own aircraft.
No other difference is made between these two groups of countries while in a category 2 status.
The FAA has assisted civil aviation authorities with less than acceptable ratings by providing technical expertise, assistance with inspections, and training courses. The FAA hopes to work with other countries through ICAO to address non-compliance with international aviation safety oversight standards.
The FAA will continue to release the results of safety assessments to the public as they are completed. First announced in September 1994, the ratings are part of an ongoing FAA program to assess all countries with air carriers that operate to the United States.
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FAA Proposes Rule on Use of Airline Safety Data
APA 52-00
June 30, 2000
Contact: Alison Duquette
Phone: 202-267-3462
WASHINGTON - In a major step toward reaching the goal of reducing the commercial aviation accident rate by 80 percent by 2007, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today proposed a rule requiring airlines to share aggregate safety data with the FAA if they choose to have a Flight Operational Quality Assurance (FOQA) program.
FOQA helps prevent accidents by identifying the root causes of potential safety issues. It uses state-of-the-art flight data recorder technology to collect and analyze data on routine flights. Airlines collect data about everyday safety trends in their operations and would now be required to share the data with the FAA. The agency would then use the data to identify industry-wide safety trends, allowing the FAA and industry to more effectively target resources and correct potential safety problems. The information and insights provided by these programs can enhance line operational safety, training effectiveness, operational procedures, maintenance and engineering procedures, air traffic control procedures, and airport surface safety. Participation in FOQA is voluntary and programs must be FAA-approved. The FAA would not use FOQA data for enforcement purposes, except in egregious cases. The rule would finalize existing FAA policy on the use of FOQA data.
"Improving safety means stopping accidents before they happen," U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater said. "Identifying trends based on real-world data allows us to be proactive in our approach to aviation safety, and advances our goal of making the world's safest aviation system even safer."
"FOQA programs are already producing the hard data we need to identify safety trends, target potential problems and make corrections before accidents happen," said FAA Administrator Jane F. Garvey. "This is an excellent example of the government and industry working together to produce results that will directly benefit the traveling public."
Currently, eight airlines have FOQA programs, one has FAA approval pending, and five others say they plan to initiate programs in the future. There are currently 230 aircraft, which comprise 13 aircraft types, collecting FOQA data.
The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) follows a July 26, 1999, proposal to protect voluntarily provided information from disclosure in order to encourage data-sharing programs such as FOQA. The notice responds to a recommendation made by the White House Commission on Aviation Safety and Security, chaired by Vice President Al Gore, as well as a mandate from Congress to protect information that aids in improving safety and security. FAA policy, issued Dec. 2, 1998, states that the FAA may only use safety data generated in a FOQA program for enforcement action in egregious cases.
Under FOQA, the FAA approves the airline's program for routine collection and analysis of in-flight data from the digital flight data recorder (DFDR). The airline establishes procedures for taking corrective action when problems are identified and for informing the FAA. Most importantly, the airline provides the FAA with access to the aggregate data so the agency can monitor safety trends as well as the operator's effectiveness in correcting adverse trends. Technological advances in cockpit equipment and data analysis over the past decade have helped make FOQA possible. Previously, this information was used to identify clues to accidents after they had already occurred.
FOQA programs have already yielded important safety advances. Since 1995, an FAA-sponsored FOQA Demonstration Study with four airlines has produced data that has been used to improve the safety of approaches at more than a dozen airports worldwide. In addition, it documented unusual autopilot disconnects, Ground Proximity Warning System warnings, excessive take-off angles, unstable landing approaches, hard landings and compliance with standard operating procedures. FOQA data has also been used for monitoring fuel efficiency, enhancing engine condition monitoring, noise abatement compliance, rough runway surfaces and aircraft structural fatigue.
The NPRM is on display at the Federal Register and is available on the FAA's web site at www.faa.gov/avr/armhome.htm. The comment period closes on Oct. 3.
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