1. Block 1 Overview Rubén Oscar González Air Navigation Commissioner
Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, it’s a pleasure to be here today to provide you with a short overview of Block 1 of the ICAO Aviation System Block Upgrades Concept, which will be discussed in detail at the Air Navigation Conference in the coming days.
Today’s briefing is intended to provide you with a general introduction to Block 1 and its content, as you have heard this morning for Block 0. I invite you to visit the Air Navigation Conference website to obtain the Secretariat Working Papers which provide an in-depth look at Block 1 and its content.
Rubén Oscar González
Air Navigation Commissioner
International Civil Aviation Organization

2. Block 1 Overview Block 0 Block 1 Block 2 Block 3 (2013) (2018) (2023)
Performance Improvement Areas
Block 0
(2013)
Block 1
(2018)
Block 2
(2023)
Block 3
(2028 & >)
Airport Operations
Globally Interoperable Systems and Data
Optimum Capacity and Flexible Flights
This morning, you heard my colleagues from the Commission provide a brief on the different performance improvement areas that are addressed in the Block upgrades as well as an overview of the block zero modules.
Here on screen you see the number of modules that form Block 1, across the different performance areas. Modules classified in Block 1 are estimated to be ready for deployment as of they are considered near-term improvements.
Efficient Flight Path
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3. Block 1 – PIAs and Modules
4 Main Performance improvement areas
Airport operations (6 modules)
Globally interoperable systems & data (4 modules)
Optimum capacity & flexible flights (4 modules)
Efficient flight path (3 modules)
Block 1 will serve as the enabler and foundation for the envisioned future aviation systems.
If we look at the four performance improvement areas, we can see that the modules are separated as follows:
6 modules are included under Airport Operations
4 modules are part of Global interoperable systems and data
4 modules under Optimum capacity and flexible flights
And 3 modules under efficient flight path
The modules that constitute Block 1 will serve as enablers for the deployment of the future aviation system. They should be viewed as the foundation and form part of a critical path for the modules set out in blocks 2 and 3, which you will hear about tomorrow.
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Block Maturity Lifecycle
****
Planning Decisions B3
based on business case and validation results as developed during the previous phase B2
2018 B1
SIMPLIFIED
LIFECYCLE V0
Identification of Needs V1 V1
Concept Definition B0 V2 V2
Feasibility
R&D V3 V3
Pre-Industrial Development and Integration - V4 V4
Industrialisation
Implementation
Decision V5 V5
Deployment
Decision V6 V6
Operations
Operations
The diagram you see on screen looks complicated but it’s not. ICAO has developed a lifecycle approach for the block upgrades. The image seen here illustrates the process employed by ICAO during the development of the Block Upgrades concept.
Block zero is ready for deployment today. We have all the necessary standards in place to make it happen.
Block 1 on the other hand is not ready for deployment. When it comes to implementing Block1 modules, we know what works need to be done, in terms of developing standards, guidance material, assistance to States, etc. But this work isn't complete. In fact, Block 1 will be the focus of much of ICAO’s work programme in the coming years, as we prepare to support States and Industry in implementing the block upgrades and modernizing the aviation system.
Blocks 2 and 3 are at the conceptual stage. We don’t yet know what they need to include in terms of fine details, but they serve as a general medium and long-term vision for the aviation system. V7 V7
Decommissioning
Decision
Decision
Standardisation activities
IOC
Initial Operational Capability
Block 1 will see critical ANSP capabilities synchronized.
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5. Block 1 Across the Phases of Flight
Airport Operations
Optimum Capacity and Flexible Flights
Efficient Flight Path
Globally Interoperable Systems and Data
Performance Improvement Areas
Information
B Service Improvement through Integration of all Digital ATM Information
B1-105 – Enhanced Operational Decisions through Integrated Meteorological Information (Planning & Near-term Service)
B Performance Improvement through the application of System Wide Information Management (SWIM)
Network
B Enhanced Flow Performance through Network Operational Planning
B1-102 – Ground-Based Safety Nets on Approach
B Improved Traffic Synchronisation and Initial Trajectory-Based Operation
ToC
ToD
B Improved Flexibility & Efficiency in Descent Profiles (OPDs)
B Improved
Airport Operations through Departure, Surface and Arrival Management
B Increased Capacity & Efficiency through Interval Management
B Improved Operations through Free Routing
B Optimised Airport Accessibility
CTA
Here you can see how the different modules in each performance improvement area are spread out to cover the different phases of flight.
B Initial Integration of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) Systems into Non-segregated Airspace
B Increased Interoperability, Efficiency & Capacity though FF-ICE/1 application before Departure
B Optimised Airport Operations through A-CDM Total Airport Management
B Increased Runway Throughput through Dynamic Wake Turbulence Separation
B Remotely Operated Aerodrome Control Management
B Enhanced Safety & Efficiency of Surface Operations
Infrastructure
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B1-15 – - Improved Approach & Departure Management through Integration
B Improved Airport Operations through Departure, Surface and Arrival Management
All the information needed for the Modules is presented in the revised version of the Global Air Navigation Plan, which will be tabled at the Air Navigation Conference.
Here is what the different modules look like. For each module, in the Global Plan, you will find:
A summary of the goal of that module
The Key Performance Areas (called KPAs) that it impacts on as per as per the ICAO’s Global Air Traffic Management Operational Concept Document, number 9854
The operating environment or phase of flight that is affected
The different considerations for its applicability
If you look at the Global Plan, you will find all the modules explained in detail in this manner. On screen, you see an example for B1-15 from Aiport Operations, entitled “improved Approach and Departure Management through Integration”…
B0-15
B1-15
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B1-70 Increased Runway Throughput through Dynamic Wake Turbulence Separation
B Increased Runway Throughput through Dynamic Wake Turbulence Separation
Now, let’s look at an example for B1-70….
Note: at the bottom of the slide, you can see the interdependence with other modules
B1-70
B2-70
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B1-70 Increased Runway Throughput through Dynamic Wake Turbulence Separation
Wake vortex separation can be reduced under certain crosswind conditions.
This upgrade requires:
Tactical Wind Prediction and Monitor function (for next departure)
Strategic Weather function (for planning horizon)
Stability of operation to ensure usability/reliability
Mid Term (Block I)
> 150 Meters
< 760 Meters
Let’s look at B1-70 further as an example…
Wake vortex separation can be reduced under certain crosswind conditions.
This upgrade requires:
Tactical Wind Prediction and Monitor function (for next departure)
Strategic Weather function (for planning horizon)
Stability of operation to ensure usability/reliability
These conditions are addressed through the different modules not just in Block one but also as we move onto Block 2, which you will hear about tomorrow.
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B1-30 Service Improvement through Integration of
all Digital ATM Information
B Service Improvement through Integration of all Digital ATM Information
Now let’s look at an example from Globally interoperable systems & data, with B1-30…
B1-80
B0-30
B1-30
B2-31
B1-31
B2-35
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B Enhanced Operational Decisions through
Integrated Meteorological Information (Planning and Near-Term Service)
B Enhanced Operational Decisions through
Integrated Meteorological Information (Planning and Near-term Service)
Here’s another example, with B1-105
B2-31
B1-105
B3-105
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11. B1-05 - Improved Flexibility & Efficiency in Descent Profiles (OPDs)
And here’s one last example from Efficient Flight Path, with B1-05 on OPDs….
B1-5
B3-5
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12. Challenges - How to Get There?
Budget considerations are greater for Block 1 since these modules do involve technology insertion in either ground/air or both.
Block 1 has a strong dependency on moving to network based communications for aviation.
There are regional synchronization issues of equipage and capabilities to achieve much of Block 1. This is essential to the successful implementation to the future Blocks.
Global standards can alleviate such risks and ensure interoperability between regional ANSPs. Global standards also offers stakeholders a common rubric.
Budget considerations are greater for Block 1 since these modules do involve technology insertion in either ground/air or both. This relates to the need for a strong business case.
Block 1 has a strong dependency on moving to network based communications for aviation.
There are regional synchronization issues of equipage and capabilities to achieve much of Block 1. This is essential to the successful implementation to the future Blocks.
Global standards can alleviate such risks and ensure interoperability between regional ANSPs. Global standards also offers stakeholders a common rubric. The work that ICAO will move forward in the near future will focus on what SARPs are needed to allow for the implementation of Block 1. This will be a big part of the discussions over the coming days at the Conference.
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13. Thank you for your attention!