# Presentation: 198599

## Achieving a Seamless Global Aviation System:  The Importance of Interoperability

## Major Discussion Points

**Modernization of the airspace implies changes in the way the aircraft is flown and to the equipment**
**Safety is the priority with cost and efficiency needing to be accounted for **
**Need to set the standards early**
**Regulations should be less proscriptive and should be performance based **
**So much capability is already available, but is not yet being taken advantage of.**
**Need to recognize the interdependency, and work to a **_**harmonized standard**_**, and **_**synchronized implementation. **_

**Notes:**
Modernization of the airspace to obtain the goal of interoperability means changes to the way the pilots fly the plane and to the equipment, and the interaction with the airports.

Efficiencies are the goal, but can’t let safety take a back seat – safety is the key issue. 

Need to set standards early, and when setting up standards, need to assure adequate time to allow human performance factors  into the equations.  Need to have ATM  flight deck procedures – that are not domain and airframe dependant – that is what interoperability is all about, accounting for different levels of equipage.

Regulations are now less prescriptive – but this can be a 2 edge sword – it allows for more capability, but that can also lead to some confusion and variability – need a balance.  We want to have a rule this is flexible enough so that a rule change is not needed every time there is an increase in capability. 

It was heartedly agreed that the equipment on the aircraft is not being fully utilized – and that we need stakeholder involvement so that they can find out what is reasonable and beneficial together. We should look at the cost for implementation in a manner such that it would “buy it’s own way on to the aircraft”.  We recognize that industry is looking for a return on their investment

Need to recognize interdependency, and work to a harmonized standard, and synchronized implementation. 

## Reaction from the Floor

**Airlines have made equipment investments over the years based on the commitment of procedure and need assurance of follow-thru by regulators. **
**Synchronization of the harmonized effort is very important – to move forward and do it across multiple domains**
**European operators expressed strong concerns for having two parallel initiatives in NGATs and SESAR**
**Need to look at other areas of experience besides just Europe and the US.**
**Flight dispatchers are another stakeholder in this process - their participation could be beneficial.  **

**Notes:**
Airlines have made equipment investments over the years based on the commitment of procedure and need assurance of follow-thru. This is a chicken and egg situation, and in the recent past, we have been very progressive in our initiative. 
Synchronization of the harmonized effort is very important – to move forward and do it across multiple domains.

European operators expressed strong concerns to have two initiatives such as NGATs and SESAR in parallel.
Resources are not available
Solutions should be operationally driven not technologically driven
Need to look at other areas of experience besides just Europe and the US, such as China, Australia and other countries working on similar issues.

flight dispatchers are another stakeholder in the process and could be beneficial. They are involved in monitoring, planning, identifying choke points etc.

ADS-B experience in Alaska – is being used for A/C separation – which seemed to be a step back. Now looking at how to move it across all of US then Europe. What was lacking was a clear implementation plan for overall system, not just for a region– so that it would include all variables. The FAA has now established a program office which is looking at this – This is just an example which points out the need for setting up good standards up front and early.

## Outcomes/Additional Ideas

**Confident that we can accomplish the goal of interoperability**
**Stakeholders need to be involved early – at the outset**
**Need to harmonize AND synchronize these activities to get to the efficiencies both operationally and economically**
**Responsible to assure that we work on this with the expectation that this be a common effort.**

**Notes:**
Summary
Panelist confident that we can accomplish interoperability – There have been some problems but we have and can continue to overcome them and exploit systems and procedures 

Early stakeholders involvement is necessary, right from the outset.  Neither the industry or the regulators have the resources to go back and make changes later. It’s better to do it upfront. 

Need to continue to harmonize and synchronize these activities to get to the efficiencies both operationally and economically.

We – working together, are all responsible to assure that we work on this with the expectation that this be a common effort.