Commission Regulation (EC) No 633/2007 of 7 June 2007 laying down requirements for the application of a flight message transfer protocol used for the purpose of notification, coordination and transfer of flights between air traffic control units (Text with EEA relevance)
Date: 2007-06-07
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: air traffic, air traffic control, civil aviation, disclosure of information, exchange of information, military aircraft, technical specification, transmission network

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Official Journal of the European Union

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COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 633/2007

of 7 June 2007

laying down requirements for the application of a flight message transfer protocol used for the
purpose of notification, coordination and transfer of flights between air traffic control units

(Text with EEA relevance)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty
Community,

establishing the European

Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 552/2004 of the European
Parliament and of the Council of 10 March 2004 on the inter-
operability of the European Air Traffic Management network
(the interoperability Regulation) (1), and in particular Article
3(1) thereof,

Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 549/2004 of the European
Parliament and the Council of 10 March 2004 laying down the
framework for the creation of the single European sky (the
framework Regulation) (2), and in particular Article 8(2) thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

the purposes of notification,

Information exchanges between flight data processing
systems are established between air traffic control units
for
coordination and
transfer of flights and for the purposes of civil-military
coordination. These information exchanges should rely
upon appropriate
communication
protocols to secure their interoperability.

and harmonised

The European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navi-
gation (Eurocontrol) has been given a mandate in
accordance with Article 8(1) of Regulation (EC) No
549/2004 to develop requirements for a flight message
transfer protocol to be used for the purpose of notifi-
cation, coordination and transfer of flights. This Regu-
lation is based on the resulting mandate report of 31
March 2005.

The Eurocontrol standard for Flight Data Exchange was
annexed to Commission Regulation (EC) No 2082/2000
of 6 September 2000 adopting Eurocontrol standards
and amending Directive 97/15/EC, adopting Eurocontrol
standards and amending Council Directive 93/65/EEC (3),
making its use mandatory within the Community in the
event of procurement of new flight data processing
systems. As Regulation (EC) No 2082/2000 was

(1) OJ L 96, 31.3.2004, p. 26.
(2) OJ L 96, 31.3.2004, p. 1.
(3) OJ L 254, 9.10.2000, p. 1. Regulation as amended by Regulation

(EC) No 980/2002 (OJ L 150, 8.6.2002, p. 38).

is
repealed with effect
necessary to update Community legislation, so as to
ensure the consistency of relevant regulatory provisions.

from 20 October 2005,

it

It is becoming more and more difficult and costly to
maintain Communication equipment
software
complying with the Eurocontrol
standard for Flight
Data Exchange. An appropriate new standard to
support the exchange of flight data should therefore be
adopted.

and

The Transmission Control Protocol
together with the
Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) is currently considered as the
the communication
most appropriate basis
requirements of
exchanges between air
traffic control units.

flight data

to meet

This Regulation should cover the application of a flight
the information
message transfer protocol used for
exchanges in accordance with Commission Regulation
(EC) No 1032/2006 of 6 July 2006 laying down
requirements for automatic systems for the exchange of
flight data for the purpose of notification, coordination
and transfer of flights between air traffic control units (4).

This Regulation should not cover military operations and
training as referred in Article 1(2) of Regulation (EC)
No 549/2004.

to cooperate with each other,

In a statement on military issues related to the Single
European Sky (5), the Member States committed them-
selves
taking into
in order that
account national military requirements,
the concept of
flexible use of airspace is fully and
uniformly applied in all Member States by all users of
airspace.

The application of the concept of flexible use of airspace,
as defined in Article 2(22) of Regulation (EC) No
549/2004, requires the establishment of systems for
the timely exchange of
flight data between air traffic
service units and controlling military units.

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

(4) OJ L 186, 7.7.2006, p. 27.
(5) OJ L 96, 31.3.2004, p. 9.

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(10)

(11)

In accordance with Article 3(3)(d) of Regulation (EC) No
552/2004, implementing rules for interoperability should
describe the specific conformity assessment procedures to
be used to assess either the conformity or the suitability
for use of constituents as well as the verification of
systems.

In accordance with Article 10(2) of Regulation (EC) No
552/2004, the date for the application of the essential
requirements and transitional arrangements may be
specified by the relevant implementing rules for inter-
operability.

(12) Manufacturers and air navigation service providers should
be afforded a period of time to develop new constituents
and systems
in conformity with the new technical
requirements.

(13)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in
accordance with the opinion of
Sky
Committee established by Article 5 of Regulation (EC)
No 549/2004,

Single

the

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Subject matter and scope

This Regulation lays down requirements for the appli-
1.
for information
cation of a flight message transfer protocol
the
exchanges between flight data processing systems
flights
purpose of notification, coordination and transfer of
between air traffic control units and for the purposes of civil-
military coordination,
in accordance with Regulation (EC)
No 1032/2006.

for

2.

This Regulation shall apply to:

(a) communication

systems

coordination
procedures between air traffic control units using a peer-
to-peer communication mechanism and providing services
to general air traffic;

supporting

the

(b) communication

systems

coordination
procedures between air traffic services units and controlling
military
communication
mechanism.

peer-to-peer

supporting

units,

using

the

a

Article 2

Definitions

For the purpose of this Regulation the definitions in Article 2 of
Regulation (EC) No 549/2004 shall apply.

The following definitions shall also apply:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

‘flight message transfer protocol’ means a protocol for elec-
tronic communication comprising message formats,
their
encoding for interchange and sequence rules used for the
information exchanges between flight data processing
systems;

‘flight data processing system’ means the part of an air traffic
services system which receives, automatically processes and
distributes to air traffic control units working positions,
flight plan data and associated messages;

traffic

control unit’

‘air
(hereinafter ATC unit) means
variously area control centre, approach control unit or
aerodrome control tower;

‘working position’ means
and technical
the
equipment at which a member of the air traffic services
staff undertakes task associated with their job;

furniture

‘area control centre’ (hereinafter ACC) means a unit estab-
lished to provide air traffic control service to controlled
flights in control areas under its responsibility;

‘civil-military coordination’ means the coordination between
civil and military parties authorised to make decisions and
agree a course of action;

7.

‘air traffic services unit’ (hereinafter ATS unit) means a unit,
civil or military, responsible for providing air traffic services;

8.

9.

‘controlling military unit’ means any fixed or mobile military
unit handling military air
traffic and/or pursuing other
activities that, due to their specific nature, may require
airspace reservation or restriction;

communication mechanism’ means

‘peer-to-peer
a
mechanism for communication established between two
ATC units or between ATS units and controlling military
units in which each party has the same communication
capabilities for
the information exchange between flight
data processing systems and either party can initiate the
communication.

Article 3

Application of the flight message transfer protocol

the
Air navigation service providers shall ensure that
1.
systems referred to in Article 1(2)(a) apply the flight message
transfer protocol
interoperability
requirements specified in Annex I.

in accordance with the

2. Member States shall ensure that the systems referred to in
Article 1(2)(b) apply the flight message transfer protocol
in
accordance with the interoperability requirements specified in
Annex I.

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Article 4

Conformity assessment of constituents

Before issuing an EC declaration of conformity referred to in
Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 552/2004, manufacturers of
constituents of the systems referred to in Article 1(2) of this
Regulation applying a flight message transfer protocol shall
assess the conformity of
these constituents in compliance
with the requirements set out in Annex II.

Article 5

Verification of systems

Air navigation service providers which can demonstrate
1.
in Annex III shall
they fulfil
that
conduct
to in
a
Article 1(2)(a) in compliance with the requirements set out in
Annex IV Part A.

the conditions set out

verification of

systems

referred

the

2.
Air navigation service providers which cannot demon-
strate that they fulfil the conditions set out in Annex III shall
subcontract to a notified body a verification of the systems
referred to in Article 1(2)(a).

This verification shall be conducted in compliance with the
requirements set out in Annex IV, Part B.

3. Member States shall ensure that the verification of the
systems referred in Article 1(2)(b) demonstrates the conformity
of these systems with the interoperability requirements of this
Regulation.

Article 6

Compliance

Member States shall
compliance with this Regulation.

take the necessary measures to ensure

Article 7

Transitional arrangements

The essential requirements set out in Annex II to Regulation
(EC) No 552/2004 shall apply to the putting into service of
European air traffic management network (hereinafter EATMN)
systems referred in Article 1(2), of
this Regulation from 1
January 2009.

The transitional arrangements in Article 10(3) of Regulation
(EC) No 552/2004 shall apply, where appropriate, from the
same date.

Article 8

Entry into force and application

This Regulation shall enter into force on the 20th day following
its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

It shall apply from 1 January 2009 to all EATMN systems
referred to in Article 1(2) put into service after that date.

It shall apply from 20 April 2011 to all EATMN systems
referred to in Article 1(2) in operation by that date.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 7 June 2007.

For the Commission

Jacques BARROT
Member of the Commission

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ANNEX I

Interoperability requirements referred to in Article 3

1. Each flight message transfer peer entity shall have an identifier.

2. An identification function shall ensure that communications can take place only between authorised flight message

transfer peer entities.

3. A connection management function shall establish and release connections between flight message transfer peer

entities ensuring that flight data transfer can be achieved only during the lifetime of a connection.

4. A data transfer function shall send and receive flight data messages between connected flight message transfer peer

entities.

5. A monitoring function shall verify the continuity of service of a connection between flight message transfer peer

entities.

6. All functions exchanged between flight message transfer entities shall use Transmission Control Protocol over Internet

Protocol, IP version 6.

ANNEX II

Requirements for the assessment of the conformity of constituents carried out under Article 4

1. The verification activities shall demonstrate the conformity of constituents implementing flight message transfer
these constituents are in

this Regulation whilst

protocol with the applicable interoperability requirements of
operation in the test environment.

2. The manufacturer shall manage the verification activities and shall in particular:

(a) determine the appropriate test environment;

(b) verify that the test plan describes the constituents in the test environment;

(c) verify that the test plan provides full coverage of applicable requirements;

(d) ensure the consistency and quality of the technical documentation and the test plan;

(e) plan the test organisation, staff, installation and configuration of the test platform;

(f) perform the inspections and tests as specified in the test plan;

(g) write the report presenting the results of inspections and tests.

3. The manufacturer shall ensure that the constituents implementing flight message transfer protocol, integrated in the

test environment, meet the applicable interoperability requirements of this Regulation.

4. Upon satisfactory completion of verification of conformity, the manufacturer shall under its responsibility draw up the
EC declaration of conformity, specifying notably the requirements of this Regulation met by the constituent and its
associated conditions of use in accordance with Annex III(3) to Regulation (EC) No 552/2004.

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ANNEX III

Conditions referred to in Article 5

1. The air navigation service provider must have in place reporting methods within the organisation which ensure and

demonstrate impartiality and independence of judgment in relation to the verification activities.

2. The air navigation service provider must ensure that the personnel involved in verification processes carry out the
checks with the greatest possible professional integrity and the greatest possible technical competence and are free of
any pressure and incentive, in particular of a financial type, which could affect their judgment or the results of their
checks, in particular from persons or groups of persons affected by the results of the checks.

3. The air navigation service provider must ensure that the personnel involved in verification processes have access to

equipment which enables them to perform the required checks properly.

4. The air navigation service provider must ensure that the personnel

involved in verification processes have sound
technical and vocational training, satisfactory knowledge of the requirements of the verifications they have to carry
out, adequate experience of such operations, and the ability required to draw up the declarations, records and reports
to demonstrate that the verifications have been carried out.

5. The air navigation service provider must ensure that the personnel

involved in verification processes are able to
perform their checks with impartiality. Their remuneration shall not depend on the number of checks carried out or
on the results of such checks.

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ANNEX IV

Part A: Requirements for the verification of systems carried out under Article 5(1)

1. The verification of systems implementing flight message transfer protocol shall demonstrate the conformity of these
systems with the interoperability requirements of this Regulation in a simulated environment that reflects the oper-
ational context of these systems.

2. The verification of systems implementing flight message transfer protocol shall be conducted in accordance with

appropriate and recognised testing practices.

3. Test tools used for the verification of systems implementing flight message transfer protocol shall have appropriate

functions to secure comprehensive coverage of the tests.

4. The verification of systems implementing flight message transfer protocol shall produce the elements of the technical

file required by Annex IV(3) to Regulation (EC) No 552/2004 and the following elements:

(a) description of the implementation of flight message transfer protocol;

(b) the report on inspections and tests conducted before putting the system into service.

5. The air navigation service provider shall manage the verification activities and shall in particular:

(a) determine the appropriate simulated operational and technical environment reflecting the operational environment;

(b) verify that the test plan describes the integration of flight message transfer protocol in the system tested in a

simulated operational and technical environment;

(c) verify that the test plan provides full coverage of the interoperability requirements of this Regulation;

(d) ensure the consistency and quality of the technical documentation and the test plan;

(e) plan the test organisation, staff, installation and configuration of the test platform;

(f) perform the inspections and tests as specified in the test plan;

(g) write the report presenting the results of the inspections and tests.

6. The air navigation service provider shall ensure that the implementation of flight message transfer protocol, integrated
in systems operated in a simulated operational environment, meets the interoperability requirements of this Regu-
lation.

7. Upon satisfactory completion of verification of compliance, air navigation service providers shall draw up the EC
declaration of verification of system and submit it to the national supervisory authority together with the technical file,
as required by Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 552/2004.

Part B: Requirements for the verification of systems carried out under Article 5(2)

1. The verification of systems implementing flight message transfer protocol shall demonstrate the conformity of these
systems with the interoperability requirements of this Regulation in a simulated environment that reflects the oper-
ational context of these systems.

2. The verification of systems implementing flight message transfer protocol shall be conducted in accordance with

appropriate and recognised testing practices.

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3. Test tools used for the verification of systems implementing flight message transfer protocol shall have appropriate

functions to secure comprehensive coverage of the tests.

4. The verification of systems implementing flight message transfer protocol shall produce the elements of the technical

file required by Annex IV(3) to Regulation (EC) No 552/2004 and the following elements:

(a) description of the implementation of flight message transfer protocol;

(b) the report on inspections and tests conducted before putting the system into service.

5. The air navigation service provider shall determine the appropriate simulated operational and technical environment

reflecting the operational environment and shall have verification activities performed by a notified body.

6. The notified body shall manage the verification activities and shall in particular:

(a) verify that the test plan describes the integration of flight message transfer protocol in the system tested in a

simulated operational and technical environment;

(b) verify that the test plan provides full coverage of the interoperability requirements of this Regulation;

(c) ensure the consistency and quality of the technical documentation and the test plan;

(d) plan the test organisation, staff, installation and configuration of the test platform;

(e) perform the inspections and tests as specified in the test plan;

(f) write the report presenting the results of the inspections and tests.

7. The notified body shall ensure that the implementation of flight message transfer protocol,

integrated in systems

operated in a simulated operational environment, meets the interoperability requirements of this Regulation.

8. Upon satisfactory completion of verification tasks, the notified body shall draw up a certificate of conformity in

relation to the tasks it carried out.

9. Then, the air navigation service provider shall draw up the EC declaration of verification of systems and submit it to
file, as required by Article 6 of Regulation (EC)

the national supervisory authority together with the technical
No 552/2004.