Transition of AIS to AIM the ANSP Perspective

AIS-AIMSG/1-IP/7
/ AIS-AIMSG/1-IP/7
25/11/08

AERONAUTICAL INFORMATION SERVICES-AERONAUTICAL

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT STUDY GROUP (AIS-AIMSG)

FIRST MEETING

Montréal, 2 to 4 December 2008

Agenda Item / 9: / Legal and institutional issues

TRANSITION OF AIS TO AIM — THE ANSP PERSPECTIVE

(Presented by Eugene Hoeven)

SUMMARY
CANSO[1], the global voice of ANSPs is well aware of the limitations of current information/data provision and fully supports the transition from AIS to AIM. With a view to actively participate in this challenging transformation, the CANSO AIS-AIM Workgroup (AIMWG) has been recently created. The objective of the AIMWG is to drive, promote and support the transition of Aeronautical Information Management to a new network-centric environment within ANSPs and to support global ANSP cooperation in the field of AIS-AIM and to drive continuous improvement. This paper outlines the role of CANSO in the ICAO AIS-AIMSG, which is defined as follows:
1.Actively participate/contribute on the AIS-AIMSG’s activities and to support the strategic framework and roadmap developments as well as updates of all relevant documents;
2.Consequently to implement above-mentioned globally approved developments into operation;
3.Continuously provide feedback to ICAO to support appropriate update/modification of strategic framework/roadmap and all relevant documents.
This paper also summarises the outcomes from the first CANSO AIMWG as a topics for discussion.

1.INTRODUCTION

1.1The global economy is becoming more and more dependant on information. Even though the current financial crisis has slowed down its expansion, demand for information is growing constantly. Air transport is one of the most dynamic sectors of the global economy, therefore the dependence on the provision of timely, relevant, accurate and quality assured information is very significant. The long term forecast for aviation predicts growth of IFR flights in the future; therefore it remains essential for ANSPs to raise their data and system capacity. To support airspace capacity it is important for ANSPs to address latent capacity in the existing ATM system and to create new capacity where possible. One of the crucial elements to enhancing ATM capacity, especially in the implementation and operational phases, can be found in Aeronautical Information Management (AIM).

1.2ANSPs face the need to replace the traditional product-centricprovision of Aeronautical Information by a data-centric and systems oriented solution that continuously provides reliable data – virtually and dynamically - to all ATM users & applications everywhere in the system, at the right time and of a consistently high quality. Today’s ATM systems have been developed and built nationally in a bottom-up manner, thus preventing easy exchange of information between neighbouring systems, even though the information is readily available. This fragmented environment lacks a common data model.

1.3Interoperability, which is a key enabler of the global/regional ATM system, remains sub-optimal. Information exists, but not where it is needed. The problem is not the lack of information, but the manner in which aeronautical information is managed. Very often, multiple versions of the same information are available for operational use, though with subtle differences, while similar information is created several times over in various places by even more different systems. Although the automation of AIS is in progress, not all relevant information is available in a form suitable for automatic processing.

1.4These technical constraints are further impaired by human behaviour. Some data owners are extremely reluctant to share information and to adopt new information management practices because of the safety-critical nature of the ATM business, and fear that real-time requirements cannot be met. In addition, the approach to the legal, institutional, business, organisational, operational and technical aspects of information/data sharing is very fragmented.

2.ANSP´s perspective

2.1CANSO, as the global voice of ATM is well aware of the limitations of current information/data provision and fully supports the transition from AIS to AIM. With a view to actively participate in this challenging transformation, the 12th AGM held in Madeira, Portugal in June 2008 approved the creation of the AIS-AIM Workgroup (AIMWG). The first meeting of this group took place just recently in Langen, Germany in November 2008.

2.2The Objective of the AIMWG is to drive, promote and support the transition of Aeronautical Information Management to a new network-centric environment within CANSO Member ANSPs and to support global ANSP cooperation in the field of AIS-AIM and to drive continuous improvement with the aim to eliminate all deficiencies described previously.

2.3Therefore CANSO appreciates the opportunity to be actively involved in the ICAO AIS-AIM Study Group and support the AIS to AIM transformation. The role of CANSO has been divided to the three main assignments as follows:

Actively participate/contribute on the AIS-AIMSG’s activities and to support the strategic framework and roadmap developments as well as updates of all relevant documents (Annexes, Manuals, etc.);

Consequently to implement above mentioned globally approved developments into operation;

Continuously provide feedback to ICAO to support appropriate systematic updates/modifications of the strategic framework/roadmap and all relevant documents.

2.4The first CANSO AIMWG reviewed the draft agenda of the ICAO AIS-AIMSG and entrusted delegates to submit and discuss the following issues:

2.4.1Definition of terms - Special attention should be given to the determination of the role of AIM in the context of entire aviation community. The right definitions and interrelation between the terms ATM/AIM and between ANS/AIM have to be clarified.

There are different perceptions of the role of AIM. In the AIM Strategy promoted by Eurocontrol and further enhanced globally through the AIM Congresses, AIM is the core enabler of ATM. On the other hand, the Global ATM Operational Concept (Doc 9854) assigns Information Service Providers within ATM Support Industry.

Also, the definition of AIM, as successor of AIS in the frame of Air Navigation Services (ANS), should be clearly defined in all relevant documents:

Doc 9820 defines ANS as consisting of the following services: Air Traffic Management (ATM); SearchRescue (SAR); Meteorological Services (MET); Communication, Navigation & Surveillance (CNS); and Aeronautical Information Services (AIS), including ATS Reporting Office (ARO).

On the other hand, another definition of ANS (used in European legislation) includes ATS, MET, CNS and AIS.

There are also different definitions of ATM in ICAO Docs:

Doc 4444 defines ATM as: Air Traffic Services (ATS), Air Traffic Flow Management and Airspace Management.

Doc 9854 defines ATM as: Dynamic, integrated management of air traffic and airspace – economically and efficiently – through the provision of facilities and seamless services in collaboration of all parties.

Moreover, in the context of the NextGen and SESAR initiatives, the term ATM could be understood as aviation as a whole.

2.4.2Context for transition to AIM - The CANSO Global Vision on the Future of ANS declares the need to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century - in which a global, seamless airspace is developed, based on cost-effective and efficient services, with sufficient capacity to meet the world’s air transport needs. From this perspective the optimised ATM system is only one part of wider transformation.

2.4.3Scope of ICAO SARPs - ICAO should only provide performance-based goals, i.e. a regulatory framework, but not detailed technical specifications. Annex 15 should be in harmony with the future ATM guiding principles of “service provision” and “technology independence.”

2.4.4Origin of data - Data originators have to be unambiguously bounded to provide raw data to AIM in accordance with performance and information requirements.

2.4.5Requirements based - The AIM Enterprise Architecture presented by FAA in the Global AIM Congress in Singapore shall be used to ensure that the full scope of AIM is incorporated into the ICAO SARPs. The scope of AIM services should be based on ATM (aviation as such) requirements. All relevant issues should be taken into consideration, e.g. the business and financial model, charging mechanism, cost/benefit, etc.

2.4.6Continuous assessment - A continuous and systematic assessment and improvement of the Global ATM Operational Concept should be undertaken in order to ensure all AIM requirements remain relevant and are reflected in future revisions to all AIM-related Annexes and guidance material. The participants in such (re)assessments must always be clearly identified as having a stake in AIM.

2.5Aside from the issues outlined above, the AIS-AIMSG is also invited to consider the CANSO position papers presented during the ICAO Worldwide Symposium on Enabling the Net Centric Information Environment in Montreal from 2 to 4 June 2008, as well as WP/38 presented to the Conference on the Economics of Airports and Air Navigation Services (CEANS) convened in Montreal from 15 to 20 September 2008. These CANSO position papers are included as formal contributions to the AIS-AIMSG.

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