Minutes - NAS Ops_August 2015 Final v3

Research, Engineering and Development Advisory Committee (REDAC)

NAS Operations Subcommittee | MINUTES

Date: August 11-13, 2015

Location: Washington, DC (Conference Room varies by date)

Purpose: Review Program Accomplishments; Provide Guidance / Recommendations 

for Development of the FY18 Portfolio

Chairman: Steve Bussolari

DFO: Maureen Molz

Next Meeting: March 8-10, 2016, Washington DC

DAY 1 - August 11 (JMA Conference Room)

Presentation: Budget Briefing

Presenter: Mike Gallivan

Summary of Briefing – The budget briefing covered requests, appropriation and enacted 

programs for the research, engineering & development (R,E&D), and facilities & engineering

(F&E) research budgets. The FAA FY15 R,E&D budget appropriation was enacted at the 

$156.750M requested on 12/16/14. The funding is directed at safety, improving efficiency, 

reducing environmental impacts, and mission support. The FY16 budget has not been enacted 

and the FAA will likely start FY16 under a continuing resolution. The House and Senate 

language demonstrates continued focus on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) research; 

NextGen-alternative fuels for general aviation; and research for aircraft technologies, fuels and 

metrics. The FY17 budget will be presented to congress 2/1/16.

Presentation: 1A10D NextGen – New Air Traffic Management Requirements

Presenter: Francisco Bermudez

Summary of Briefing – This briefing provided an overview of the status and plans for new Air 

Traffic Management (ATM) requirements for NextGen. The program, which is performed under 

the facilities and equipment (F&E) account budget, identifies new opportunities to improve the 

efficiency and effectiveness of air traffic management operations. Among the key activities 

planned for FY15 and FY16 are defining high level requirements for the Multi-function Phased 

Array Radar (MPAR) alternative and conducting proof of concept of Airborne Collision 

Avoidance System for Unmanned Aircraft (ACAS Xu) in support of RTCA SC-228. FY17 

products will include harmonization of protocols and standards for enterprise information

management; future collision avoidance requirements to support new classes of NAS users; 

and development of aviation requirements for weather.

Presentation: 1A01C Operational Concept Development & Infrastructure

Presenter: Maureen Keegan

Summary of Briefing – This briefing provided an overview of the accomplishments and 

planned activities of this program for developing, maturing, and validating near/mid-term 

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Minutes - NAS Ops_August 2015 Final v3

emerging integrated operational concepts to improve the capacity and efficiency of the NAS. 

This concept increases capacity by leveraging improvements in automation, airspace 

structure, and display/facility configuration. The program supported UAS concept maturation, 

operational integration analysis, National Special Activity Airspace Project (NSAAP)

maturation, enterprise information display and delivery, assessment of the Terminal 

Sequencing and Spacing (TSS) tool, and support to RTCA committees. Plans for FY17 include 

continued operational integration analysis, PBN optimization, interval management and 

trajectory-based operations.

Presentation: Portfolio Review

Presenter: John Marksteiner

Summary of Briefing –This briefing provided an overview of the accomplishments and plans 

for the Concept Development and Validation (CD&V) portfolio. The Operational Concept -

Validation Modeling (OCVM) funding line was discontinued in FY14 and any future funding will 

be included in the specific portfolios being supported. FY16 funds primarily support the 

Performance Based Navigation (PBN) Portfolio, with FY17 supporting maturation of concepts 

within the Separation Management, PBN, and Improved Surface Operations Portfolio. FY14 

accomplishments include UAS functional analysis and operational requirements report, 

Concept of Operations for Datalink of Complex PBN Clearances, Space Vehicle Operations

(SVO) ConOps, and Vertical Conformance Verification (VCV) operational shortfall assessment. 

FY15/16/17 deliverables include continued maturation of the UAS Class A & B, Optimized 

Route Capability (ORC), and 4D trajectory-based operations (4D TBO) concepts. The briefing 

began with a description of the impetus for dissolution of the Advanced Operations Concepts 

Division and integration into the Technology Development & Prototyping Division.

Presentation: NextGen Weather Processor (NWP)

Presenter: Steven Viveiros (for Fred Anderson)

Summary of Briefing –This briefing provided an outline of the NextGen weather program and 

details on the NextGen Weather Processor (NWP) system. The NWP system architecture, the 

change process, research priorities, and ANG weather alignment were presented. The two 

key roadmap work package 1 initiates for NextGen weather are Common Support Services–

Weather (CSS-Wx), being performed by Harris and NWP, being performed by Raytheon. NWP 

provides improved coverage and improved Wx displays. Future plans include development of 

a common NWP test platform based on the test reference system.

Presentation: A11.l Weather PPT Portfolio Review / AWRP

Presenter: Steve Abelman

Summary of Briefing –This briefing presented AVS weather activities, accomplishments, 

overview of research transition teams, and an update on the status of modeling and simulation 

efforts. The program applies research to minimize the impact of weather on the NAS. The 

research conducted within this portfolio includes developing Terminal Area Icing Weather 

Information for NextGen, mitigating Ice Crystal Weather Threat to Aircraft Turbine Engines, 

safely lowering Visibility for CAT 1 Approaches and RVR Conversion, and developing Safety2
Minutes - NAS Ops_August 2015 Final v3

Driven Weather Requirements for Wake Mitigation. The briefing provided details on 

hazardous weather mitigation, evolving capabilities, linkages to NextGen implementation 

plans, weather modeling and sensing, and ensuring effective research. RTT Research 

Transition Teams (RTTs) have been very effective in integrating closely coupled topics among 

the agencies and accelerating R&D to achieve near-term results while accelerating and 

informing far-term objectives. An FAA-NWS RTT was initiated earlier this year tasked with 

developing a high quality, rapidly-updated analysis with reliable deterministic and ensemblebased probabilistic forecast guidance. 

Presentation: A12.e NextGen – Weather Technology in the Cockpit (WTIC)

Presenter: Gary Pokodner

Summary of Briefing –The briefing described the purpose of the research projects within this 

portfolio as developing, verifying, and validating requirements for incorporation into Minimum 

Weather Service (MinWxSvc) standards. Focus areas include: Minimum cockpit 

meteorological (MET) information, Minimum MET information performance standards, 

Minimum information rendering standards, Enhanced weather training, and Minimum cockpit 

technology capabilities. WTIC focuses on identifying causal factors for weather-related GA 

safety risks/hazards. In FY15 the program delivered the WTIC Wind Study to RTCA SC206. 

Plans include producing trade space for Boeing and A320 models, leading SG7 of RTCA SC206, and investigating potential sources of truth wind data for High Resolution Rapid Refresh 

(HRRR) accuracy comparison.

DAY 2 - August 12 (NASA HQ)

Presentation: UAS Concept Maturation, Validation, and Requirements Development

Presenter: Sherri Magyarits

Summary of Briefing –This briefing provided a comprehensive history of the FAA concept 

development and maturation program conducted to integrate Unmanned Aircraft Systems 

(UAS) into the NAS. Beginning in 2011, the FAA utilized a systematic process, in collaboration 

with cross-organizational lines of business, to identify research needs and strategic plans for 

moving forward. The preliminary UAS ConOps was delivered in 2012 and continued to be 

refined and matured with a focus on the mid-term (~2020) and integrated (~2025) states. The 

objective of the ConOps was to initiate the engineering process of identifying requirements, 

establishing a framework for FAA program alignment, and identifying interrelationships 

between NextGen systems as well as documenting expectations for UAS operators. The 

ConOps was the cornerstone for enabling the FAA to address UAS considerations such as 

shortfalls and challenges, certification and operational approval processes, NAS evolution, 

normal operations, contingency operations, and impacts and interactions with other NAS 

operational concepts. It does not address UAS weighing less than 55 pounds and operated 

within visual line of sight of the flight crew. Key assumptions include that UAS will be expected 

to meet performance/equipage requirements for the airspace in which they are operating, ATC 

will remain responsible for separation services, and that there will be equitable access to 

airspace for all NAS users. A key challenge was to define instrument flight rules (modified IFR) 

with respect to UAS and which will require new regulations and procedures. The program 

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developed 11 operational scenarios to address a broad range of users and types of UAS. The 

mid-term and mature state versions of these scenarios were vetted with ATC subject matter 

experts. The ConOps, operational scenarios and requirements were decomposed and service 

area responsibility allocation tables developed. These tables identify FAA requirements and 

UAS operator expectations. A major accomplishment was the instantiation of the UAS 

Steering Group to provide executive level guidance across multiple FAA lines of business. 

Current work is focused on identifying operational and technical gaps associated with 

integrating UAS into Class A and B airspace and developing notification requirements for the 

modified IFR concept. Next steps include engaging the UAS stakeholder community on vision 

and expectations of operating in the NAS and addressing low altitude UAS operations.

Presentation: UAS Strategic Plans and Near Term Opportunities

Presenters: Maureen Keegan, Rob Pappas, Vishal Gupta

Summary of Briefing – This briefing described inputs and artifacts of the UAS concept 

maturation effort, the operations evolution strategy, and the L2 program plan. The UAS 

Concept Maturation Plan outlines the activities required to address existing FAA shortfalls 

associated with the provision of air traffic services to UAS airspace users in the mid-term and 

beyond (2020-2025+) and the process and products for the maturation effort. Examples of 

twelve high priority concept maturation activities and their associated shortfalls and 

requirements were presented. The FAA has initiated external stakeholder engagement to 

solicit feedback and needs for civil UAS

stakeholders, particularly through the Pathfinder Industry Initiative. Representative UAS users 

were selected from industry to participate in the innovative program. They represent the three 

key focus areas: UAS in Visual Line of Sight over people; rural UAS Extended Visual Line of 

Sight, and rural UAS Beyond Visual Line of Sight. The UAS Steering Group (USG) was 

established in 2013 and consists of executive level guidance which includes the Air Traffic 

Organization, NextGen, and the Safety Group. The USGs’ mission is to provide direction and 

guidance for maturation and validation of UAS operational concepts across FAA lines of 

business. Examples of the UAS Concept Maturation were provided which included; Drivers & 

Process, Research Gap Analysis and Modified IFR Concept Development among others. An 

overview of the FAA’s UAS Center of Excellence (COE) Alliance for System Safety of UAS 

through Research Excellence (ASSURE) program was provided, which included the core 

members, affiliated members and corporate partners. Mississippi State University leads the 

ASSURE team, which is comprised of twenty-one research universities, including international 

partners, and more than a hundred leading industry/government partners, including Disney 

(ABC), Amazon Prime Air, and Fedex, the team provides annual reports on their advanced 

UAS research to congress and the NARP. A list of eleven UAS COE technical focus areas 

were provided.

Presentation: NASA - NY TBO: Integrated Demand Management (IDM)

Presenters: Nancy Smith, Paul Lee

Summary of Briefing –This briefing described research being conducted by the Airspace 

Operations Laboratory at Ames Research Center. The objective is to develop a ‘toolkit’ of TBO 

procedures and methods to improve efficiency and robustness of NY operations under all 

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conditions. The current focus is on improving convective weather operations. The IDM concept 

integrates several key NextGEN trajectory based Operations (TBO) elements including 

Collaborative Trajectory Options Program (CTOP), Time-Based Flow Management (TBFM), 

and Required Time of Arrival (RTA). The team will conduct and human in the loop simulation in 

August 2015.

Presentation: NASA – Unmanned Aerial System Traffic Management (UTM)

Presenter: Parimal Koparedekar

Summary of Briefing –The UTM briefing outlined a NASA concept focused on enabling safe 

UAS operations in low altitude airspace. The concept encompasses airspace management 

and geofencing, weather and severe wind integration, predicting and managing congestion, 

terrain and man-made objects, maintaining safe separation (via Airspace reservation, V2V, & 

V2UTM), and permitting only authenticated operations. The concept will evolve through 4 

builds. Build 1 is focused on reservation of airspace volume, Build 2 beyond line of sight 

operations, and Build 3 tracking and internet connectivity. The final build, scheduled for March 

2019, focuses on UAS in high density urban environments.

Presentation: TBO, Separation Management, and Data Communications

Presenter: Steve Bradford

Summary of Briefing – This briefing provided the FAA’s “Master Plan” Development Process. 

The FAA NextGen planning/implementation time frames were discussed. The objectives and 

benefits of the NSIP: NAS Enterprise Architecture Integration was discussed. The main 

objective of the NSIP was stated to integrate portfolios, Increments and their relationships with 

the NAS EA, creating a consistent view for all stakeholders on NextGen plans and 

implementation. It was explained the NSIP concept was tied to the NAS EA Services 

Roadmaps.

Presentation: 4DT Demonstration Project

Presenter: Natee Wongsangpaiboon

Summary of Briefing –This briefing presented the objectives of the 4D TBO project as 

demonstrating advanced TBO services enabled by the introduction of ATN-B2 technologies. 

The project leverages industry participation in a demonstration of the feasibility and benefit of 

dynamic RNP, advanced interval management (A-IM), and ATC Winds (uplinked wind data).

Stakeholders include RTCA, CDM Future Concepts Team, as well as airline operators, aircraft 

and avionics manufacturers. This project is in the demonstration planning stage and will begin 

the demonstration phase in FY16, culminating in an initial benefits assessment in FY17.

Presentation: Optimized Route Capability

Presenter: Phillip Bassett

Summary of Briefing –The briefing provided an overview of a traffic management tool under 

development that leverages intelligent offloading to optimize arrival fix allocations. The FAA is 

maturing this concept in collaboration with NASA, who is responsible for developing the 

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algorithm. The tool will evaluate aircraft up to 600 miles from an airport and provide a list of 

strategic reroutes to efficiently offload aircraft from overloaded fixes. When reroutes are 

accepted, coordination is streamlined through electronic distribution to all relevant facilities.

DAY 3 - August 13 (JMA Conference Room)

Presentation: 1A01A Runway Incursion Reduction Program (RIRP)

Presenter: Matt Royston

Summary of Briefing –This presentation consisted of a portfolio update on the Runway 

Incursion Reduction Program (RIRP). Several projects were discussed including Low Cost 

Ground Surveillance (LCGS), Enhanced Final Approach Runway Occupancy Signal 

(eFAROS), Runway Safety Assessment (RSA) and Small Airport Surveillance System (SASS). 

Although, eFAROS conducted a successful Flight Check at BOS, there are concerns with the 

program. The Runway Safety Group no longer supports the program, and the team is awaiting 

final decision from ATO senior management on the project. In FY15 the program conducted a 

runway safety assessment, developed a Runway Incursion Shortfall Analysis (RIPSA), and 

conducted data collection for the Small Airport Surveillance System (SASS). Plans for FY16 

include developing a performance report regarding the SASS system against truth data.

Presentation: Commercial Space Transportation (AST)

Presenter: Mike Romanowski

Summary of Briefing –This briefing identified the Air Space Transportation as one of the four 

FAA lines of business. The fundamental differences between aviation and space were 

identified. Specifically, that aviation is the safest mode of transportation while space is 

inherently risky. 

AST responsibilities, products and services were discussed. These responsibilities included 

licensing, experimental permits and research among others. The drivers of real commercial 

space market growth were identified. AST is pursuing an enhanced R&D portfolio to impact 

high priority areas and requires funding. The FAA initiated new Commercial Space 

Transportation Safety RE&D BLI in the FY2016 Presidents Budget Request. Thirteen research 

projects were suggested to support the BLI milestone development.

__________________________________________________________________________

Presentation: Mixed Equipage Estimates in NAS Performance

Presenter: Joe Post

Summary of Briefing –This briefing provided information on the NextGen Organization and 

the Program Management Office (PMO) responsibilities. The FAA modeling division leverages 

two MITRE products (avionics equipage database and avionicsCoster) in developing its 

forecasts. The System Wide Analysis Capability (SWAC) was presented along with a listing of 

operational improvements modeled in the tool. SWAC provides a fast time equipage aware 

NAS model for all Air Traffic domains. The presentation included a SWAC test matrix and 

output metrics. 

___________________________________________________________________________

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Presentation: A12.a NextGen – Wake Turbulence; 1A05D NextGen – Wake Turbulence –

Re-categorization

Presenter: Jeff Tittsworth

Summary of Briefing – This briefing gave an overview of current wake turbulence R&D 

projects. Since 2002 the focus has been on operational impacts, particularly capacity 

enhancements by providing cost effective airport throughput capacity benefits without requiring 

new runways or additional aircraft equipage requirements. Ongoing projects include wake recategorization (RECAT), wake turbulence mitigation for arrivals (WTMA), and wake turbulence 

mitigation for departures (WTMD). The research will include development of wake related 

ATC decision support tools, development of WAKE mitigation separations for new aircraft 

designs, development of a statistical wake encounter frequency/severity risk assessment 

capability and the development of models, databases and date wake sources. 

Presentation: 1A11 NextGen – ATC/Tech Ops Human Factors

Presenter: Jerome Lard

Summary of Briefing –This briefing presented both expected shortfalls and expected benefits 

realized by the ATC Technical Operation Human Factors (HF) Research Program. Overall 

budget and plans, ongoing activities and accomplishments were presented. Among the 

projects are HF guidance for early acquisition stages, human error analyses, strategic job 

analyses and guidance materials for the use of automation. This work is funded through the 

separation management and performance based navigation portfolios. Support to NextGen 

operational increments was identified as an emerging FY18 focal area.

___________________________________________________________________________

Presentation: A11.i Air Traffic Control/Technical Operations Human Factors

Presenter: Rachel Seely and Dan Herschler 

Summary of Briefing –This briefing presented Air Traffic Control/Technical Operations 

Human Factors Research products and accomplishments. The key focal areas of the past year 

included, developing methods for measuring and improving controller training and training 

program efficiency at N90, identifying job competencies and performance metrics, 

implementing a human error taxonomy to support air traffic and technical operations HF

incident analyses, conducting human-in-the-loop simulations, and updating HF requirements 

and process standards to support ATO acquisition programs. Proposed focal areas include 

strategic job analyses, alignment of organizational culture with the maintenance operations 

concept, and developing an integrated approach to ATC system interface design and testing.

___________________________________________________________________________

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Recommendations 

 The following recommendations was closed: 

o 4D Trajectory Based Operations 

 New recommendations were identified on the following programs: 

o Runway Incursion Reduction 

o Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Integration in the NAS

Pending Actions 

 For March 2016 NAS Ops meeting: 

1) Inspect the FAA process to move weather concepts from requirements to implementation. Determine 

if the required elements are in place and if there are disconnects. Consider logistic and level of 

participation of members on the Requirements Management Board. Provide recommendations to the 

subcommittee. (M.Weber, J. Kuchar) 

 2) Send past 1A01A Runway Incursion Reduction Program briefings to M. Molz (M. 

Royston)

 3) Email Runway Incursion Reduction Program briefings to sub-committee (M. Molz)

4) Add the following topics to the March agenda:

• Runway Incursion Reduction Program - 1 hour minimum (M. Royston) 

• Commercial Space Transportation Briefing (M. Romanowski) 

• NASA Unmanned Aerial System Traffic Management (UTM) concept (NASA)

• How does UTM fit into NAS, FAA considerations regarding the concept (Steve Bradford) 

Completed Actions 

 Deep dive on Trajectory Based Operations to include high-level research objectives and samples of current 

FAA and NASA research efforts (August 13, 2015) 

 Deep dive on UAS to include technical elements and multiple areas of expertise (August 12, 2015) 

 Engage with ANG-5 (Joe Post) to provide response on how mixed equipage was considered in estimates of 

NAS performance (August 13, 2015) 

 Request briefing from Commercial Space Transportation (AST) on research areas relevant to the 

subcommittee (August 13, 2015) 

 Recommend to 1A01A: Runway Incursion Reduction that they engage with REDAC / Safety Subcommittee 

(August 13, 2015)

Subcommittee Members in Attendance: 

Steve Bussolari (Chairman) 

Joseph Bertapelle 

John Cavolowsky 

Bruce Holmes 

Emily Stelzer

James Kuchar 

William Leber 

Mark Weber 

Andres Zellweger 

Maureen Molz (FAA, DFO) 

Others in Attendance: See attendance list

Completed 9/30/15

Completed 10/01/15

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REDAC / NAS Operations Subcommittee Meeting Agenda

Date: August 11-13, 2015 

Location: Washington, DC (Conference Room varies by date)

Purpose: Review Program Accomplishments; Provide Guidance / Recommendations for Development of the FY18 

Portfolio

Tuesday, August 11 (*JMA Conference Room)

Welcome/Overview Steve Bussolari

Maureen Molz

0830-0900

Review of REDAC Recommendations, Responses and Open Actions Steve Bussolari 0900-0930

Budget Briefing Mike Gallivan 0930-1000

Break 1000-1015

1A10D NextGen – New Air Traffic Management Requirements

Francisco Bermudez

1015-1040

1A01C Operations Concept Validation Maureen Keegan 1040-1110

1A11 NextGen – Ops Concept Validation Modeling John Marksteiner 1110-1140

Lunch 1140-1300

NextGen Weather Processor Fred Anderson 1300-1330

AWRP Steve Abelman 1330-1400

Break 1400-1430

A12.e NextGen – Weather Technology in the Cockpit Gary Pokodner 1430-1500

Sub-Committee Discussion Subcommittee Members 1500-1700

Dinner – location TBD 1800

Wednesday, August 12 (**NASA HQ w/AMES VTC)

Review Findings and Recommendations / New Actions Steve Bussolari 0800-0900

UAS Concept Maturation, Validation, and Requirements Development Sherri Magyarits 0900-1030

Break 1030-1045

UAS Strategic Plans and Near Term Opportunities Maureen Keegan

Rob Pappas

Vishal Gupta

1045-1200

Lunch 1200-1300

Trajectory Based Operations NASA 1300-1430

TBO - Overview TBO/Sep Man John Maffei 1430-1445

4TBO - Concept Steve Bradford 1445-1515

Questions 1515-1530

Break 1530-1545

4D Demonstration Natee Wongsangpaiboon 1545-1610

Optimized Route Capability Phillip Bassett 1610-1635

Questions 1635-1645

Sub-Committee Discussion Subcommittee Members 1645-1715

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Thursday, August 13 (*JMA Conference Room)

Review Findings and Recommendations / New Actions Steve Bussolari 0800-0900

1A01A Runway Incursion Reduction Matt Royston 0900-0930

Commercial Space Transportation (AST) Mike Romanowski 0930-1000

Break 1000-1015

Mixed Equipage Estimates in NAS Performance Joe Post 1015-1045

A12.a NextGen – Wake Turbulence Jeff Tittsworth 1045-1115

1A05D NextGen – Wake Turbulence – Re-categorization Jeff Tittsworth 1115-1145

Lunch 1145-1245

1A11 NextGen – ATC/Tech Ops HF Jerome Lard 1245-1315

A11.i Air Traffic Control/Technical Operations Human Factors Rachel Seely, 

Dan Herschler

1315-1345

Break 1345-1400

Sub-Committee Discussion Subcommittee Members 1400-1445

Discussion and wrap up Subcommittee Members 1445-1545

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