REDAC / NAS Ops 

Operations Concept Validation & 

Infrastructure Evolution (ATDP) 

BLI Number: 1A01C 

Presenter Name: Guillermo Sotelo 

Date: 03/16/2021 

Review of FY 2021 - 2023 

Proposed Portfolio 
 

 

 

Operations Concept Validation & Infrastructure 

Evolution (ATDP) 

Overview 

What are the benefits to the FAA? 

As new concepts evolve, this program identifies operational gaps and potential technologies 

that could address these gaps. It conducts studies and analyses in operational focus areas to 

include Integration of Space Operations into the NAS, Evolution of Trajectory-Based 

Operations, and Time-Based Metering Operations with Advanced Rerouting. This program 

ensures that potential enhancements are operationally sound and captured in the Architecture 

plans for the NAS. 

What determines program success? 

Success is measured by the completion of the goals identified in multi-year plans developed 

for each activity. Initiatives that successfully complete all the project goals identified are then 

presented as candidates for acquisition. 

2 
Operations Concept Development & Infrastructure 

(ATDP) 

Program Support 

People: 

• Program Manager: Guillermo Sotelo 

• Subject Matter Experts: Traffic Managers, ATC, Discipline Experts, Airspace User 

Community 

Research Facilities: 

• WJHTC, MITRE/CAASD, NASA, Volpe, DAB Test Bed, NEXTOR 

3 
 

Operations Concept Validation & Infrastructure Evolution (ATDP) 

– Accomplishments in FY21 

• Future Flow Management: 

• ATO Vision for FFM – Initial Coordination Version: Defines the ATO vision for the 

modernization of an all-encompassing, integrated Traffic Flow Management 

capabilities 

• NAS Integration of Transiting Operations (integration of upper E and 

Space L/R operations into the NAS): 

• Business Outlook: analysis of ongoing efforts both internal & external to the FAA, and 

initial maturity assessment of industry proposed plans 

• Initial set of ATO operational goals, objectives, and outcomes in three focus areas: 

Upper E Operations, Vertical Transiting to/from Upper E, Space Launch/ Reentry 

Operations 

4 
 

Anticipated Research in FY22 

Planned Research Activities: 

• Technical/Operational analysis for the evolution of Traffic Flow Management (TFM) 

• Technical/Operational analysis for the evolution of Oceanic Services 

• New Entrants Operational Integration Analysis: Upper E Traffic Management (ETM), 

UAS Traffic Management (UTM), Urban Air Mobility (UAM) 

Expected Research Products: 

• Identification of operational opportunities and challenges as emerging concepts evolve, 

• Identification of opportunities to accelerate the operational introduction of innovation 

into the NAS 

5 
Emerging FY23 Focal Areas 

• Integration of new entrants into the NAS: Advanced Air Mobility 

• Air Traffic Management Evolution 

6 
 

 

 

 

Operations Concept Validation & Infrastructure Evolution 

(ATDP) 

Research Requirements 

• As new concepts evolve, this program identifies 

operational gaps and potential technologies that could 

address these gaps by conducting studies and 

analyses in operational priority areas 

Outputs/Outcomes 

• Assessment and evaluation of operational 

requirements and the impact of the concept on system 

capacity, efficiency, safety, and human performance 

potentially leading to investment decision. 

FY 2023 Planned Research 

• Operational integration analyses as emerging 

concepts evolve 

• Technical/operational analyses to accelerate the 

integration of new entrants into the NAS 

• Technical/operational analyses to accelerate the 

operational introduction of innovation into the NAS 

Out Year Funding Requirements 

F&E 

FY21 FY22 FY23 FY24 FY25 FY26 

$5 M $5 M $6 M $6 M $6 M $6M 

Weather Program 7 
 

Preconditioning for Metered 

Arrival Flows 

Sally Stalnaker 

March 16, 2021 

© 2021 THE MITRE CORPORATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is Preconditioning? And Motivation 

Definition: The use of strategic traffic flow management tools to 

control demand to an arrival metered airport to mitigate delays and 

achieve maximum throughput possible given operational conditions. 

Objectives 

• Reduce large TBFM departure delay for flights departing 

closer to the arrival airport 

• Provide flight operators with predictable delay 

• Allow for flight operators to perform substitutions 

• Reduce large metering delay for airborne flights 

• Eliminate or reduce Miles-in-Trail (MIT) restrictions 

Operational Conditions: Problems that TBFM cannot 

resolve (e.g., fix load balancing, effects of throughput or 

capacity reductions, and predictable departure delay 

management), sustained demand at or near capacity, and 

mix of short-haul and long-haul flights. 

Components 

• Use of Strategic Traffic Management Initiatives (TMIs) 

• Robust TBFM metering design and use which 

includes: Adaptation that reflects current routes in 

Terminal Radar Approach Control Facilities 

(TRACON) and uses all active runways; Arrival 

metering to the TRACON with “times on glass”;

Freeze horizons close to airport; Segmented freeze 

horizons to manage uncertainty (if needed); and 

Tactical use of “Delay Scheduled Flights”.

© 2021 THE MITRE CORPORATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY. 9 
 

 

NASA Technical Transfer and Initial Analysis 

• Evaluate NASA IDM Concept 

for application to sites beyond 

Newark International Airport 

(EWR). 

• Develop a plan, for reduction of 

excessive departure delays of 

15 minutes or more, that 

describes activities needed to 

enable use of existing strategic 

tools to precondition arrival 

metered flows in clear weather 

operations. Per FAA’s direction, 

this effort focuses on the use of 

CTOP as the strategic tool. 

• The plan includes near-term 

and longer-term activities (i.e., 

requiring automation 

development). Some of these MITRE recommended the FAA perform a field trial activities could begin in parallel 

with the near-term activities. 

Generic Clear Weather Use 

Case 

IDM concept 

2018 2020 2022 

Near-Term 

Activities 

Longer-Term 

Activities 

The Plan: 

© 2021 THE MITRE CORPORATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY. 
 

PHL Analysis in Preparation for Field Trial 

• Level of airborne delay can be adjusted tactically through judicious 

use of “delay scheduled flights for this aircraft only” option

• The GDP with “delay scheduled flights” option reduces the delay both 

airborne and departure. 

• Strategic programs have the potential to create additional delay 

instead of mitigate delay 

• Evaluate TBFM XM design and adjust TBFM parameters, as needed, 

to address delays 

• Pursue use of TBFM’s “delay scheduled flights” option tactically on a 

flight-by-flight basis to mitigate large TBFM departure delays, as 

needed. 

• Explore other arrival airports, in the context of current operational 

conditions, to determine if the preconditioning concept for metered 

arrivals is applicable and beneficial 

© 2021 THE MITRE CORPORATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Explore NAS Wide Arrival Airports For Field Trial 

• Investigated fifteen airports based on large departure delays (15+ minutes) 

 Six arrival airports had potential: BOS, CLT, EWR, LAX, LGA, and SEA 

 BOS eliminated because of average two flights per day with large departure delays 

 FAA requested removal of EWR and LGA from consideration 

 CLT, LAX, and SEA remained. SEA has the correct profile for two, two-hour periods but does not have 

a robust metering design. 

• An arrival airport for field trial could not be found 

• FAA response and actions: 

 FAA expressed the concept as potentially still valid but no application in the near-term 

 AJR and AJT took the action to operationalize Collaborative Trajectory Options Program (CTOP) 

 The FAA tasked MITRE to explore the application of the preconditioning for metered arrivals concept 

in the context of future operations specifically at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) 

© 2021 THE MITRE CORPORATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY. 12 
 

 

Future EWR Analysis and Results 

EWR Arrival Flows 

Notional EWR TBFM Design with New XMP Highlighted 

The Red Arcs 

depict existing 

outer arcs 

that were 

converted to 

Extended 

Meter Points 

(XMPs). 

The Green 

Arcs depict 

newly created 

XMPs. 

• MITRE developed an XM design for the analysis 

of EWR based on the PHL TBFM XM design 

developed by the FAA. Figures to left illustrate this 

notional design. 

• To ensure proper operation of the notional EWR 

XM design, MITRE modified the existing EWR 

TBFM adaptation including routes changes and 

Persistent Forward Bias (PFB) mode. 

• Potential opportunities (enough larger departure 

delays) exist for precondition in certain 

configuration and use of lower AARs. 

© 2021 THE MITRE CORPORATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY. 13 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Recommendations 

• The FAA should pursue the use of targeted TBFM mitigation techniques (e.g., early scheduling and “delay

scheduled flights for this aircraft only” option) for managing large departure flight delays as part of planned 

iTBO efforts to improve arrival metering at ATL, CLT, DEN, EWR, LAX, LGA, and PHL. 

• The FAA should, when developing the TBFM XM designs, specifically address inclusion of international and 

TEC flights in the TBFM schedule (e.g., modify routes and meter arcs), turn on Persistent Forward Bias 

(PFB) in TBFM adaptation, and explore freezing flights on track for airports that are further away (e.g., 200 

NM). 

• The FAA should perform additional analysis to study potential benefits of applying preconditioning in other 

iTBO operating areas, i.e., NEC, Mid-Atlantic, and Southwest, at associated focal airports to mitigate large 

departure delays when airport arrival rates are constrained. 

• Address long term gaps including strategic fix load balancing capabilities, flight delay tracking capabilities 

(pre-departure through arrival), management of multiple strategic tools to condition multiple arrival flows, 

tailoring of strategic tool, ATC procedures, and airspace to mitigate delays for arrival flows. 

© 2021 THE MITRE CORPORATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY. 
 

iTBO Integrated Gate-toGate Strategy Analysis 

Elizabeth Lacher 

March 16, 2021 

© 2021 THE MITRE CORPORATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. LIMITED DISTRIBUTION ONLY – NOT FOR PUBLIC RELEASE 

15 
 

 

 

 

 

Motivation 

• Provide narrative descriptions that clearly describe and detail key Air 

Traffic Management (ATM) roles, on a position-by-position basis, 

relative to how they perform their job given the envisioned integrated 

iTBO environment. 

• Provide a common authoritative source document for people 

developing ATC procedures, training and education, testing scenarios, 

communication with the field, and other related activities 

 Provide a baseline for the future flow management work 

 Identify additional integration gaps and risks for iTBO, if any 

 Target Audience: HQ Staff supporting various aspects of iTBO 

Implementation 

© 2021 THE MITRE CORPORATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. LIMITED DISTRIBUTION ONLY – NOT FOR PUBLIC RELEASE 
 

 

 

 

Analysis Approach 

Material Development Process 

 Based on TBO documentation and expected 

operational scope 

 Generated with input/review from over 35 MITRE 

CAASD Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) including 

10 former air traffic controllers 

Review and Validation Process 

 Final draft sent for review and (2) 

coordination/review meetings held with FAA HQ 

LOB stakeholders and NATCA SMEs 

 Representatives from Air Traffic Services, 

System Operations, Mission Support 

Services, and the Program Management 

Office 

© 2021 THE MITRE CORPORATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. LIMITED DISTRIBUTION ONLY – NOT FOR PUBLIC RELEASE 
 

 

 

Products Developed 

• White paper 

• Includes narrative descriptions of various 

positions’ actions and decisions with 

respect to TBO, and how those are 

achieved 

• Briefing with audio 

narration 

• Broken into 5 

modules, 15-20 

minutes each 

© 2021 THE MITRE CORPORATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. LIMITED DISTRIBUTION ONLY – NOT FOR PUBLIC RELEASE 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Product Scope: TBO Roles Documented 

 ATCSCC 

• National Operations Manager (NOM) 

• Planner* 

• Terminal National Traffic Management Officer (Terminal NTMO) 

• Terminal National Traffic Management Specialist (Terminal NTMS)* 

• Metering National Traffic Management Specialist (Metering NTMS) 

• Severe Weather National Traffic Management Officer (SWx NTMO) 

• Severe Weather National Traffic Management Specialist (SWx 

NTMS)* 

• Tactical Customer Advocate (TCA) 

 TRACON 

• Terminal Operations Manager (OM) 

• Terminal Operations Supervisor (OS) 

• Terminal Feeder Controller* 

• Terminal Final Approach Controller* 

• Supervisory Traffic Management Controller (STMC) 

• Arrival Management Traffic Management Coordinator (TMC)* 

• Departure Management Traffic Management Coordinator (TMC)* 

 ARTCC 

• En Route Operations Manager (OM) 

• En Route Operations Supervisor (OS) 

• En Route Radar (R-side) Controller* 

• En Route Radar Associate (D-side) Controller 

• ARTCC Traffic Management Unit (TMU) 

• Supervisory Traffic Management Coordinator (STMC) 

• Arrival Management Traffic Management Coordinator (TMC)* 

• Departure Management Traffic Management Coordinator (TMC)* 

• Reroute Coordinator 

• Traffic Management Weather Coordinator (TMWC) 

 ATCT 

• Tower Operations Manager (OM) 

• Traffic Management Coordinator (TMC)* 

• Local Controller* 

• Ground Controller 

• Controller - Flight Data / Clearance Delivery 

* Accompanying position workflow developed 

© 2021 THE MITRE CORPORATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. LIMITED DISTRIBUTION ONLY – NOT FOR PUBLIC RELEASE 

19 
 

Future Flow Management 

Amanda Staley 

March 16, 2021 

© 2021 THE MITRE CORPORATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. LIMITED DISTRIBUTION ONLY – NOT FOR PUBLIC RELEASE 

20 
 

 

 

Current 

Operations 

and iTBO 

FFM Opportunity Space 

Address operational shortfalls that persist 

Integrate new, diverse NAS users and operations 

Implement and capitalize on new opportunities 

NAS Future Vision 

Full and Dynamic 

Trajectory-Based 

Operations 

Defining Future Flow Management (FFM) 

 New procedures, new 

capabilities, and new 

processes as the FAA shifts to Vision TBO 2035 and 

Beyond 

 Comprehensive plan including: 

– Multi-faceted Vision of 

Future Traffic Flow 

Management Services to 

meet emerging needs 

PerformanceBased Flow 

Management 

– Strategy and Action Plan 

that inform FAA decisions 

and investments 

FOTO35 NITRO Automation 

Evolution UAS / UAM TBM 

Strategies 

iTBO RIOs, Implementation Plans, Operating Areas and 3T efforts 

© 2021 THE MITRE CORPORATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. LIMITED DISTRIBUTION ONLY – NOT FOR PUBLIC RELEASE 

21 
 

 

 

 

FFM Vision Reflected by 4 Key Goals 

ATO Future Flow Management Vision Statement: Dynamic, flexible, and integrated sets of capabilities that provides for efficient, 

equitable management of NAS demand/capacity imbalances as they may arise in the TBO environment, and as they affect 

increasingly diverse NAS users/stakeholders. 

Data Science  Integrated Automation  Workforce Strength and Processes 

Dynamic, ondemand data and 

analytics enable 

continuous TFM 

planning with 

uninterrupted 

sharing to 

synchronize 

strategic and 

tactical actions 

Higher fidelity 4D 

flight trajectories 

drive development 

and execution of 

TFM integrated 

strategies to 

improve 

predictability of 

NAS operations 

Enhanced processes 

combined with 

human capital 

investments 

accelerate 

implementation and 

application of 

modernized TFM 

services to meet 

evolving needs 

NAS User 

partnering evolves 

collaborative TFM 

decision-making 

and integrates 

diverse operations 

to improve equity, 

access, and use for 

all NAS Users 

© 2021 THE MITRE CORPORATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. LIMITED DISTRIBUTION ONLY – NOT FOR PUBLIC RELEASE 

22 
 

 

 

 23

Impacts and Looking to the future: FFM 

Key Results and Activities Next Steps 

 Completed 4 operational engagement sessions with  Coordinate the FFM Corporate Vision/Outlook with 

AJV, AJT, AJR, and NATCA to review Vision Goals the ATO 

and detailed objectives and outcomes to meet those  ATO-ANG executives briefing (Thursday, 2/4) goals  February PMO PMR 

 Completed CDM Future Concepts Team (FCT) 

 Distribute coordination vision document engagement to garner feedback on Vision Goals 

and identify other needs and opportunities  Engage appropriate stakeholders for collaborative 

 Delivered presented materials and all feedback strategy development (targeted 3rd week of 

collected to participants of the operational February) 

engagement sessions 

 Finalized goal reviews with AJV-S management

Operational Deep Dives 

Vision CoordinationDocument 

FFM ATO Corporate Plan © 2021 THE MITRE CORPORATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. LIMITED DISTRIBUTION ONLY – NOT FOR PUBLIC RELEASE 
Program Overview 

For: Research, Engineering and Development Advisory Committee (REDAC) 

From: Randolph “Randy” Mauer, FOTO35 Program Manager, ATO International 

March 16th, 2021 
 

Agenda 

• Overview 

• Current FAA Oceanic Operations 

• Program Development 

• FOTO35 Goals 

• FOTO35 Benefits 

• FY21 & FY22 ATDP Activities 

• Questions 

25 
 

26

FAA Oceanic Operations: Scope & Scale 

FAA Oceanic Operations 

ZAN 

Anchorage 

Arctic FIR 

24 Million square miles of delegated oceanic airspace 

Two thousand daily flights (pre-COVID) 

18 direct international boundaries 

ZNY 

New York 

Oceanic FIR 

ZOA 

Oakland 

Oceanic FIR 

ZAN 

Anchorage 

Arctic FIR 
 

AJT

Program Development – Collaboration Is Key 

27 

Vision Development 

Desired Future State 

Gap Analysis 

Goal Development 

FOTO35 

ATO 

Int’l 

Air 

Traffic 

Services 

PMO 

Aviation 

Safety 

Next 

Gen. 

MITRE 

NATCA 

ATO 

Strategy 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FOTO35 Goals and Desired Outcomes 

1 2 3 4 

Implement 4DT Operations 

(Traj. Based Oceanic Control) 

DESIRED OUTCOMES 

1) Seamless, “Gate to Gate” operations 

between FAA’s oceanic, offshore, 

domestic ATS systems, and neighboring 

ANSPs 

2) Seamless operations between FAA’s 

oceanic and foreign ANSP ATS systems 

3) Users’ flights are more efficient by 

improved processes implemented to 

process flight plans and more 

frequently update trajectories while 

taking advantage of weather and costindex data 

Enhance FAA’s Oceanic 

Separation Procedures 

DESIRED OUTCOMES 

1) Improve operational safety and efficiency 

for oceanic users 

• Application of horizontal-radial 

separation procedures 

• On-demand tactical maneuver 

capability 

• Increased accommodation and 

resolution of critical aircraft 

contingency scenarios 

• Improved departure/arrival ATC services 

into remote oceanic airports 

• Efficient management of pair-wise 

aircraft performance differences (tactical 

maneuvers around blocking aircraft) 

2) Real-time/low latency voice 

communications & enhanced surveillance 

Safely Integrate Emerging Users 

& Space Operations 

DESIRED OUTCOMES 

1) Establish policies procedures and 

technology for effectively handling 

space launches and re-entries, UAS, 

high altitude balloons, and supersonic 

aircraft in the oceanic environment 

2) Increase situational awareness 

(communications and surveillance) with 

non-conventional users, including 

performance factors 

3) Automate input of all nonconventional 

user and space operations data, 

including airspace use, planning and 

coordination 

Implement new/improved 

Oceanic ATM System 

DESIRED OUTCOMES 

1) Cloud-based, automation system that 

improves seamless, efficient, safe 

oceanic operations 

• 4DT and Enhanced Separation 

Procedures 

• Reduced interface complexity and 

controller workload 

• Increased safety with outage 

detection and improves conflict 

resolution capabilities 

• Increased resiliency, adaptability, 

and enables portability during 

emergencies 

28 
 

 

 

 

 

 

FOTO35 Benefits to Industry 

•Better Services for Operators 

•Improved Integration w/ 

operators flight planning systems 

•Supports 4DT, Enhanced 

Separation and Emerging Users 

• Situational Awareness 

• Safety 

• Dynamic airspace planning 

•Tactical On-demand Maneuvers / 

Procedures 

•More Flexibility 

•Safe & Efficient reduction in 

current separation standards 

•Ability to provide protected 

deviations 

• Enables predictive, optimized & 

desired flight profiles & schedules 

• Optimize Cost Index 

• Fuel /Time Savings 

• Predictable crossovers Oceanic / 

Domestic 

• Trajectory refinement 

• Enhanced Gate-Time planning 4DT Enhanced 

Separation 

Improved 

System 

Emerging 

Users 

29 
 

 

 

 

 

Planned ATDP Activities FY21 & FY22 (Tentative) 

1 2 3 4 

Implement Optimal 4DT 

Operations 

Activities: 

1) Establish FAA 4DT Work Group 

2) Begin 4DT Stakeholder Outreach 

 Technical Interchange 

Meetings 

 Industry Day 

3) Coordinate and draft Globally 

Agreed Definition of 4DT 

4) Begin Stakeholder Needs Report 

Enhance FAA’s Oceanic 

Separation Procedures 

Activities: 

1) Develop a concept of operations 

for application of tactical ondemand operations 

2) Conduct an operational 

assessment of the Cleared 

Weather Deviation Procedure 

3) Initiate assessment of 

performance requirements 

necessary to support future 

enhanced separation procedures 

Safely Integrate Emerging Users 

& Space Operations 

Activities: 

1) Begin Stakeholder Outreach 

Program - Technical Interchange 

Meetings 

2) Begin Draft Operator Needs 

Analysis 

3) Begin Draft Operator Data 

Sharing Assessment 

Implement new/improved 

Oceanic ATM System 

Activities: 

1) Begin Stakeholder Outreach 

Program - Technical Interchange 

Meetings 

2) Research Service Level 

Requirements 

Note - Activities are dependent on conducting in-person 

testing. Target dates could be delayed due to COVID travel 

restrictions 

30 
Thank you! 

For more information, contact 

Randy Mauer, Program Manager, FOTO35 

randolph.mauer@faa.gov 

FOTO35@faa.gov 

31