1. FANS 1/A over Iridium (FOI)
Status
Presented to: SOCM/2
By: Tom Kraft
Date: 8-10 February 2012

2. Introduction Mar 08 – FOI project plan
May-Jul 2010 – FOI operational evaluation
17 Sep 2010 – PARC submits FOI and Performance Based Concept Recommendations to FAA
In June 2011, the FAA responded to the PARC, agreeing with the recommendations in the report

3. Why the spotlight on Iridium?
Iridium promotes FANS 1/A expansion
Lower cost solution than other alternatives
Draws less power
Lighter in weight
Global coverage, including the Polar Region
FANS 1/A enables
Reduced ADS‑C-based separations
More efficient operations
Reduced CO2 emissions minimizing environmental impact
Reduced effects of operational errors/pilot deviations
Iridium enables applications – Passenger (APC)
Company (AAC, AOC)
FANS 1/A (ATS)
FANS 1/A enables ATM benefits

4. PARC FOI & PBC recommendations
PARC submitted letter to FAA in Sep 2010
“ RECOMMENDATION 1. Expedite the steps necessary to remove restrictions on current FOI operations to realize immediate gains in efficiency and safety benefits.”
“ RECOMMENDATION 2. In the near and mid terms, plan for and implement a performance-based framework for RCP and surveillance performance specifications.”
(See PARC CWG presentation for PBC update)

5. FAA responded in June 2011
“ With proven benefits in operational efficiency, environmental impact, and safety, the FAA has identified FANS 1/A as an enabler for NextGen. … The FAA agrees FOI will promote FANS 1/A expansion, and accepts FOI as a viable means for air traffic service (ATS) communications, particularly in accordance with performance specifications for reduced oceanic separations based on automatic dependent surveillance – contract (ADS­C).”

6. FOI planning and implementation
Remove airspace restrictions – to apply reduced ADS-C-based separations to eligible FOI aircraft
In Oakland Flight Information Region (FIR)
FAA will advocate removal of any restrictions imposed by other air navigation service providers
FAA has been and will continue to approve FOI installations and operations
Design approval of FOI installations per FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 20­140A
Data link operational authorizations via A056 Ops Spec per FAA AC 120­70B & FAA Order N

7. Potential for FOI growth
in the NAT Region (1 of 2)
Approximately 1,400 flights daily in the NAT, 48% fleet currently equipped with FANS 1/A CPDLC & ADS-C
All aircraft shall operate FANS 1/A CPDLC & ADS-C (outside VHF data link coverage)
a) from 7 February 2013, on specified tracks and flight levels within the NAT organized track system (OTS); and
b) from 5 February 2015, in specified portions of NAT minimum navigation specifications (MNPS) airspace.
Current thinking, initially
No more than 2 specified tracks in the OTS, FL360 to FL390, inclusive
No exemptions in the applicable airspace
Beyond 2015 to be determined

8. Potential for FOI growth
in the NAT Region (2 of 2)
Other operational improvements being investigated in the NAT for implementation 2015 and beyond
Transition Minimum Navigation Performance Specification (MNPS) to Performance-Based Navigation (PBN)
NAT Required Communication Performance (RCP) and Required Surveillance Performance (RSP) Operations Implementation Plan (for Feb 2015) – applies to FANS 1/A
Reduced (5-min) Longitudinal Separation Minimum (RLongSM) (in trials March 2011) – will require FANS 1/A
Reduced (25 NM) Lateral Separation Minimum (RLatSM) – will require FANS 1/A

9. Potential for FOI growth
Elsewhere
Polar Region – FOI provides “true” global coverage
PACOTS – FOI can increase equipage rates
Increasing the number to opportunities to apply reduced separations when more aircraft are FANS 1/A capable

10. FOI recognition
NAT SPG planning to formally acknowledge FANS 1/A over Iridium Short Burst Data and Inmarsat I3 Classic Aero as eligible for NAT data link operations
Based on PARC CWG FOI Project and Report
Expected to occur in June 2012 (NAT SPG/48)
At IPACG, JCAB still trialing FOI, need more time
However, similar to FAA systems, JCAB systems have no operational means to determine the type of media the aircraft is using for FANS 1/A operations in the Fukuoka FIR
Reduced separations can be applied (or mis-applied) to FOI aircraft that indicate RNP4 in their flight plan

11. FANS 1/A aircraft definition
GOLD definition of FANS 1/A aircraft  an aircraft with a data link system that has been certified in accordance with the requirements specified in RTCA DO­258A/ EUROCAE ED­100A (FANS 1/A INTEROP Standard), or previous version
DO‑258A/ED‑100A includes provisions for use of VHF, satellite and HF sub-networks that are compatible with the ACARS network.
it does not require or specify any specific sub-network(s) that an aircraft must use for FANS 1/A operations

12. Current FANS 1/A configurations
Throughout the world, operators with FANS 1/A aircraft use CPDLC and ADS‑C services
over a variety of subnetworks, including VHF (Mode 0/A and Mode 2), Inmarsat Classic Aero over the I3 and I4 satellites, Iridium SBD, and HFDL

13. FAA means of compliance (1 of 2)
The FAA certifies FANS 1/A aircraft in accordance with AC 20‑140A
The FAA authorizes operational use of data link, i.e. CPDLC and ADS-C, in accordance with AC 120‑70B and FAA Order
For FANS 1/A aircraft, these FAA documents recognize DO‑258A/ED‑100A or previous version, as acceptable means of compliance
consistent with the GOLD definition

14. FAA means of compliance (2 of 2)
Further, these FAA ACs recognize a number of sub-networks and associated standards as acceptable means of compliance for FANS 1/A aircraft
Means of compliance for Iridium’s SBD services is RTCA DO‑262A, Normative Appendix, section 2
The FAA have certified and continue to certify FANS 1/A aircraft that use the Iridium SBD sub-network in accordance with applicable ACs and Orders
Other appropriate authorities have also issued design approvals and authorized operational use of FOI aircraft

15. FOI aircraft – More than 100 by 2013
Operator
September 2010
February 2012
Cargolux
13 Boeing 747‑400s to over 60 flight destinations worldwide
10 B747s worldwide (+3 Inmarsat)
Continental
6 Boeing 737‑800s and 4 Boeing 737‑700s in and out of Guam
18 B757s in North Atlantic
Hawaiian
8 B767s in the Pacific
UPS
participating in pre-FOI data collection and are planning to participate in FOI in the near future
4 B747s, 39 B767s active 42 B767s by October 2011, Crew training has begun, Significant use by May B767s by November 2013
Delta
8 B757s and 15 B747s planned for significant use in Currently, 23 B757s, 15 B747s and 3 B737s do Iridium voice/AOC data
Qantas
1 B737 in the Tasman
Totals
23 FOI aircraft
80 FOI aircraft

16. ICAO provisions
Standards and Recommended Practices (Annex 10), PANS/ATM (Doc 4444) and Regional Supplementary Procedures (Doc 7030) and other ICAO guidance material (e.g., ICAO Doc 9925)
FOI is a viable means for conducting ATS communications and FOI aircraft are eligible for CPDLC and ADS‑C operations anywhere in the world

17. Summary
FANS 1/A over Iridium (FOI) is now being accepted as a means of compliance to CPDLC and ADS-C airspace requirements
U.S.
NAT
Other States/regions may be pending further evaluation