1. Jerry Kranz

2. The FAA’s In Situ Turbulence Reporting System
Larry B. Cornman
National Center for Atmospheric Research

3. In Situ Turbulence Reporting System
Driver:
Augment/replace subjective PIREPs with objective state-of-the-atmosphere turbulence measurements.
Features:
Atmospheric turbulence metric: eddy dissipation rate (EDR).
Position accuracy within 10 km vs average 50 km pireps.
44,000 in situ reports per day (UAL) vs pireps/day (above FL200).
Adopted as ICAO Standard.
Experimental ADDS website

4. New Activities Delta Airlines has implemented EDR reporting!
New aspects:
Event-based reporting.
Routine reporting every 15 minutes w/ MDCRS.
Event triggers.
“Fill-in” between null MDCRS EDR reports
New, winds-based algorithm.
Improved on-board QC.

5. EDR Reporting from Delta!
EDR reports over a 24 hour period

6. “Fill-in” Reports
Same 24 hr period as above

7. UAL EDR Reports
EDR reports over the same 24 hr period

8. Combined DAL and UAL EDR Reports
EDR reports over same 24 hr period

9. Turbulence Nowcasting/Forecasting System
Merges all current turbulence observations with forecast grids.
Graphic courtesy of virtualskies.arc.nasa.gov
Cockpit display or alert (EDR or RMS-g)
Dispatch, ATC, etc.
GTG forecast grids (EDR)
Convective turbulence diagnostic (EDR)
Wx satellite
data
In situ EDR reports, PIREPs,
4D data cube
updated every ~15 min
Radar (NTDA) turbulence grids (EDR)

10. FAA/Delta Airlines EDR Proof of Concept Demo
Friends/Partners of Aviation Weather (FPAW) Meeting, October 9, 2008
Tammy Farrar, Weather Policy & Requirements Group
October 9, 2008 10

11. Delta Airlines EDR Status
s, s have EDR installed and operational
10 more 700s by mid-2009
UAL-1997 11 11

12. DAL EDR Proof of Concept Demonstration
DAL/FAA jointly planned
Estimated start date FY09
Yearlong, phased study
Prove cost-benefit of improved turbulence data to airline flight operations
Increased aircrew confidence in turbulence data accuracy
Less time off altitude, reduced fuel burn
Estimated 10-15% reduction in turbulence-related fuel penalties
Improved Capacity 12 12

13. DAL EDR Proof of Concept Demonstration
Phase I
DAL OCC
Web-based EDR display initially  Graphical Flight Following (GFF)
Strategic use by dispatchers in planning
Tactical use by aircrews enroute (voice or data link)
Additional data source for OCC meteorologists
Data gathering for baseline
Aircrews report altitude deviation reasons
Fuel burn and safety impacts recorded
ZTL CWSU Option
CWSU meteorologists have access to EDR data via ADDS
EDR will be used in turbulence forecasts for TMU, Area Supervisors, Operations Managers, ATCTs and TRACONs
Less restrictions on air space reduce workload on TMU 13 13

14. DAL EDR Proof of Concept Demonstration
Phase II
Develop Next Level of Procedures and Processes to manage turbulence for end users
Expand use of EDR data directly to area supervisors and other participants 14 14

15. ITWS Integrated Terminal Weather System
Airline Connectivity
Des Keany
American Airlines SOC

16. Benefits
Airline and the FAA are working off the same product (fewer misunderstandings)
ATC Coordinators use the forecast and wind function for
Runway configuration planning
Arrival rates.
Dispatchers can provide real time information to flight crew.
This reduces diversion risk

17. Pre-production display courtesy Raytheon ITWS Brochure
ITWS Data
Pre-production display courtesy Raytheon ITWS Brochure

18. Website Interface ITWS Airports Click for TRACON Display
[Color of icon
shows status]
Airport
Status
Legend

19. Prototype ITWS
For many years American Airlines had access to the Lincoln Labs prototype system
Dispatchers could access via the web.
ATC Desk used a dedicated terminal.
Advantages
Direct access to the prototype application
Low cost of ownership
Disadvantages
Very few sites e.g. DFW, New York, MCO, MEM

20. Production ITWS High Cost of access
Only available via private wire connection
Not available via AOC/CDM Net
Normally available as a browser display only
Users have to be aware and keep the display open
Not all features work on the web version
Airlines can obtain a raw data feed
Major increase in number of available sites.
Can view multiple sites simultaneously

21. Desktop Configuration Example 1 large monitor (1600x1200)

22. Desktop Configuration Example 2 laptop monitor (1024x768)

23. ITWS Connectivity Options!

24. American Airlines Connectivity

25. Connectivity - Issues
American Airlines originally connected to the production site via a T1 connection.
This worked for about 15 simultaneous users.
Have a need for users at AA
American Eagle need additional
Switched from T1 to bundled T1’s to DS3
Bottom line – expensive

26. The Future - SWIM ITWS Prototype Service
Deliver ITWS data over the Internet, using Virtual Private Network (VPN) technology
Distribute real-time ITWS digital data in an industry-standard data format (XML)
Slated to being in September 2008
Initial Deliverables
Microburst
Gust Front
Configured Alerts (Ribbon Display)
Terminal Text

27. SWIM Methodology Advantages Disadvantage
Delivered in XML format and thus easier to integrate.
If successful, expect more and more data types to be added.
Disadvantage
Necessary to commit scarce resources to a long term project.
Airlines outsourcing/purchasing 3rd generation products from vendors.
Need to integrate data. Not really useful as a standalone data set.

28. Questions ??

29. Integrated Terminal Weather System (ITWS)
Friends/Partners in Aviation Weather
Orlando, Florida
October 9, 2008
Benn Deans
FAA Weather Processors Manager

30. ITWS Program Description
Provides air traffic managers and controllers current and forecasts (up to 60 minutes) of terminal weather
Accurate, easy-to-understand, and immediately useable graphical weather information on a single color display for decision support, collaboration, and common situational awareness
Uses sophisticated algorithms to integrate data from FAA and NWS sensors, radars, and weather models, and from aircraft in flight
Used at TRACONs, towers, ARTCCs and the Command Center, and by the airlines, during adverse weather
Authorized FAA and non-FAA users have internet access to ITWS products via the External User 2 website

31. Integrated Terminal Weather System (ITWS)
Pilots
TDWR
NEXRAD
ASR
1-hr Forecast
Microburst Prediction
Gust Front Prediction
Storm Location & Motion
Storm Cell Information
Terminal Winds
Tornado
ITWS
Real-Time
Processor
ITWS
Controllers
AWOS/ASOS
RUC
Supervisors
TRACON
ARTCC TMU
CWSU
Airlines
Dispatch
Ramp Tower
LLWAS
Lightning
Aircraft (MDCRS)

32. ITWS Products Wind shear products
Microburst detection/prediction
Gust front detection/forecast
Wind shift estimate
Timers
Storm Products
Precipitation
Storm Cell Information
Hail
Echo Tops
Lightning
Mesocyclone
Severe Storm Circulation
Storm Motion
Storm Extrapolated Position
Terminal Convective Weather Forecast (TCWF)
Standard 1 hour forecast
Winter 1 hour forecast
Forecast quality metrics
Other
ASR-9/11 AP editing
Tornado signature detection/alert
Airport lightning warning
Terminal winds profile
Pilot text/character graphics message

33. ITWS Waterfall - Working Schedule
FY 2002
FY 2003
FY 2004
FY 2005
FY 2006
FY 2007
FY 2008
FY 2009
FY 2010
Raytheon Test Bed 02/02
Indianapolis 1/2009
WJHTC 04/02
Las Vegas OEP 3/2009
PSF 08/02
New Orleans 3/2009
FAAAC 08/02
New York 11/15/06
Nashville 4/2009
Atlanta 10/27/2003
Memphis 01/08/07
Columbus 5/2009
Kansas City 04/10/2003
Orlando 06/13/07
Raleigh-Durham 6/2009
Oklahoma City 7/2009
Chicago 10/20/2003
Dallas/Ft Worth 06/26//07
Wichita 8/2009
Miami 12/04/2003
Pittsburgh 10/19/2007
Louisville 9/2009
Cincinnati 10/22/2007
St Louis 12/10/2003
Tulsa 11/2009
Minneapolis 01/04/2005
Detroit 1/9/2008
San Juan 2/2010
Phoenix 01/11/2008
Boston 01/13/2005
Salt Lake City 02/29/2008
Charlotte 01/26/2005
Philadelphia 03/15/2008
Houston 03/16/2005
Cleveland 04/29/2008
Potomac 03/17/2005
Denver 09/15/2005
ITWS Support Systems Installed
As of 8/12/2008
Projected Installation/ CAI Date
Installed/
CAI Complete
Commissioned
ITWS Monthly Deployment - Planning Briefing
October 2008

34. ITWS External User Website at the Volpe Center (Managed by the ITWS Program Support Facility (PSF) in Oklahoma City)
AWOS, ASOS, TDWR, RUC, ASR-9/11, LLWAS, NEXRAD, Lightning, MDCRS (from Aircraft)
Client at FAA, Air Carrier, or Other
ITWS data
FAA TRACON
Leased
Circuit
or other
ITWS Product Generator
TCP/IP Server Software
ITWS data as
HTML and
images
Web browser at FAA, Air Carrier, or Other
FAA
Network

35. Features of the ITWS External User Website (Currently operational at the Volpe Center)
What does ITWS Website provide?
ITWS Weather Products for any or all of the ITWS-supported airports (selected by user while logged into the Website)
ITWS weather products currently available for the following airports:
Atlanta, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm Beach (FL), Kansas City, Springfield (MO), St. Louis, Houston (IAH & HOU), Chicago (ORD & MDW), Milwaukee, Washington DC (DCA, IAD, & ADW), Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Denver, Minneapolis, New York (JFK & LGA), Newark, Teterboro (NJ), Dallas (DFW & DAL), Orlando, Daytona Beach (FL), Tampa, Memphis, Detroit, Cincinnati (CVG), Pittsburgh, Phoenix, Philadelphia, Salt Lake City, Cleveland
ITWS products to be available for the following airports by the middle of CY2010: Indianapolis, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Nashville, Columbus, Dayton, Raleigh-Durham, Oklahoma City, Wichita, Louisville, Tulsa, San Juan, Little Rock (AR), Jackson (MS)
ITWS products planned for the following Secondary Reliever Airports (SRAs) by the end of CY2010:
Lafayette Regional (LA), Akron-Canton Regional (OH), Laurence G. Hanscom Field (MA), Manchester (NH), Theodore Francis Green (RI), Southwest Florida Intl (FL), Orlando-Sanford (FL), Chicago (IL), Capital City (MI), City of Colorado Springs Municipal (CO), St. Paul Downtown Holman Field (MN), Dekalb-Peachtree (GA), Columbia Metropolitan (SC), Charles B. Wheeler Downtown (MO), St. Louis Downtown (MO), Spirit of St. Louis (MO)

36. Features of the ITWS Website (Cont’d)
Who currently uses the ITWS Website?
FAA Command Center (Herndon,VA), Airlines, Airport Authorities, Aviation Industry System Developers
How does a potential non-FAA external user gain access to the Website?
Must sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the FAA
Must establish dedicated telecom line to ITWS Website via commercial service provider:
Guidance given in Volpe Center document ‘Technical Considerations for ITWS Website Connection’
Contact Volpe Center ITWS Website Program Office for specific guidance

37. Major Airline Users of ITWS Weather Products via Volpe Web
ITWS Website (Volpe) External User Wx Product Requests (per Hour) During Severe Wx Event
Requests
Per Hour
No. of ITWS Airports
FAA Command Center
4213
(9 Airports)
Delta Airlines
7032
(4 Airports)
Fed Ex
1625
(3 Airports)
Continental Airlines
1415
(2 Airports)
Northwest Airlines
1109
(5 Airports)
Volpe Center
BOS
Northwest Airlines
MSP
N90
DTW
CLE
PHL
C90
CMH
PIT
SLC
PCT
IND
Metron Aviation
STL
CVG
MCI
DEN
SDF
RDU
LAS
ICT
FedEx
CLT
BNA
TUL
MEM
Delta Airlines
OKC
ATL
PHX
Southwest Airlines
LEGEND
DFW
DFW Airport Authority
ITWS TRACON Site (Baseline 22)
American Airlines
Last 11 ITWS Site
Continental Airlines
Volpe Center
IAH
MSY
Volpe Center ITWS Users
MCO
MIA
SJU

38. ITWS SWIM Segment One
SWIM (System Wide Information Management) is the FAA’s implementation of a Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) environment
The FAA is transitioning toward publish/subscribe technology
ITWS is a key component of SWIM Segment One
ITWS requirements, schedule and funding included in the SWIM Segment One baseline
ITWS project endorsed by JPDO, Weather COI and NAS Architecture
Plan to establish external access to all ITWS weather information through a SWIM interface
The external gateway will be located in the FAA Technical Center at Atlantic City, NJ
ITWS SWIM Benefits:
SWIM provides enabling technology for future interoperability/ integration of weather products and systems
For example, ATO-T and ATO-R are cooperating via SWIM to use the same software standards for future ITWS and CIWS projects
Potential cost avoidances for future integration of weather products and displays
Airlines want ITWS data in a format that allows them to integrate products into their weather analysis decision aid tools 38

39. ITWS SWIM Prototype
Although ITWS SWIM Segment One is scheduled for deployment in December 2010, the ITWS SWIM prototype is available NOW
After performance testing is completed, a determination will be made as to how many additional users the prototype may support
The prototype will offer 4 ITWS weather products, from each “ITWS airport”
Micro Bursts; Gust Fronts; Configured Alerts; Terminal Text
Parties interested in participating in the ITWS SWIM prototype must request application forms from the FAA (use the contact information in the SWIM.gov website)
Prototype participation is very limited
All inquiries will be documented and placed on the Segment One information distribution list
New prototype users will require their own internet based VPN (virtual private network) to the external gateway located in the FAA Technical Center at Atlantic City, NJ
This same requirement will likely apply to Segment One users
A Client Software Package and User Guide is currently being provided by the FAA to the prototype participants 39

40. Actual Screenshot of Test Transmission from Miami (MIA) ITWS to Remote User via the ITWS-SWIM Prototype

41. ITWS Notional SWIM-enabled Reference Architecture
Airlines
ATCSCC
Subscribe
Encoded
Data
TRACON
Subscribe
ITWS PG
Weather Vendors
Public IP
Network
ARTCCs
FAA IP
Network
Encoded
Data
WJHTC
Subscribe
Encoded
Data
Encoded
Data
ATCTs
DoD, DHS
Encoded
Data
Publish
External Gateway
Publish
SWIM Registry
SWIM Gateway Services
This slide shows the SWIM-enabled ITWS architecture.
The dotted-dashed lines show the baseline system and the plain dashed lines show the planned changes.
VOLPE
SWIM Core Services
Wx-WS
Web Service changes under SWIM 41

42. POINTS OF CONTACT Weather Sector Processors Lead
Benn Deans, ,
ITWS Program Lead
Maggie Baker, ,
ITWS Systems Engineering
Ernesto Etienne, ,
Bill Yeagley, ,
ITWS Program Support Facility (PSF)
Bettie Loudenslager, ,
ITWS Test & Evaluation
Tom Weiss, ,
Volpe Center ITWS Website Program Manager
Tony Colon, ,
ITWS Telecommunications Lead
Anthony Johnson, ,
ITWS Logistics/Training
Casper Cooper, ,

44. QICP Qualified Internet Communications Provider
October 2008
Presented by Randy Baker, UPS Airlines Meteorologist

45. Weather Data Access via Internet
What is the Issue?
FAA has issued an Advisory Circular (00-62) that restricts airlines from using the Internet for operational decisions unless it is from a Qualified Internet Communications Provider (QICP). These restrictions are to prevent the possibility of unavailability or tampering of the data.
These restrictions do not apply to the InTRAnet (private connection), but rather to the InTERnet.
The NWS AWC continues to provide products intended for Airline use and decision making (such SIGMETs, the Graphical Turbulence Guidance and Forecast Icing Potential) via the Internet, yet they do not meet QICP criteria.
UPS Airlines Meteorology

46. AWC web site is not QICP, so UPS Dispatchers cannot use FIP.
AWC FIP (Forecast Icing Potential) Not useable by pilots, so our weather vendor does not disseminate.
AWC web site is not QICP, so UPS Dispatchers cannot use FIP.
UPS Airlines Meteorology

47. Weather Data Access via Internet: Status
ATA Met. Committee Position re QICP (Developed 02Apr03 at Spring Meeting)
“All Aviation Weather Products to be:
-Accessible to users via the public internet in a manner approved by FAA or
-Via an alternative communications method.”
NWS Announced “No Plans to Become QICP”
ATA Met Com 11Apr03 Response to NWS
“The airlines are very interested in the results of NWS's further
research with the FAA to determine the specific level of effort
necessary by the NWS to comply to QICP status. ATA Met Com hopes that
this research determines that the NWS can be a QICP soon. ATA Met Com
very much looks forward to learning the results of your study and are
holding off any further comments until that work is complete.”
NWS Announced “Plans to Become QICP”
(Friends/Partners Aviation Weather 08Oct03)
UPS Airlines Meteorology

48. No change the last 4 years, due to cost.
Weather Data Access via Internet: Status
NWS reverted back to “No plans to become QICP” (Friends/Partners Aviation Weather 2004)
No change the last 4 years, due to cost.
UPS Airlines Meteorology

49. Other Aviation Products (not on AWC web site)
Aviation Watch Notification Message (AWW) issued by SPC
Convective Outlook (AC) issued by SPC
Aviation Tropical Cyclone Advisories (TCA) issued by TPC
These all need QICP access!
UPS Airlines Meteorology

50. UPS Airlines Meteorology

51. Murray Auger : Director, Flight Dispatch Northwest Airlines
Field Conditions
Murray Auger : Director, Flight Dispatch
Northwest Airlines

52. What Can Lead To Bad Decisions?
Late reports
Inaccurate information
Missing information
Lack of Communication

53. Landing Accidents

54. Runway Excursions

55. Pilot’s View with 1/2 Mile Visibility

56. Aviation Quote Every accident, no matter how minor, is a
failure of the organization.
— Jerome Lederer

57. Wet Versus Dry Contaminants From ICAO Annex 14:
Wet Snow
Snow which, if compacted by hand, will stick together and
tend to or form a snowball; specific gravity: 0.35 up to but
not including 0.5.
Slush
Water-saturated snow which with a heel-and-toe
slapdown motion against the ground will be displaced
with a splatter; specific gravity: 0.5 up to 0.8.
Dry Snow
Snow which can be blown if loose or, if compacted by
hand, will fall apart again upon release; specific gravity: up
to but not including 0.35.

58. How Are Ficons Reported?
Airport Fax Phone Web Radio Answering Machine
1 x
2 x x
3 x x
4 x x
5 x x
6 x x
7 x x
8 x x
9 x
10 x
11 x
12 x
13 x x
14 x
15 x
16 x
17 x
18 x
19 x
20 x x 22

59. Runway Excursion
Initiated abort

60. Runway Excursion

61. Speed (KTAS)

62. SAFO - TALPA ARC Safety Alert For Operators (SAFO)
Takeoff And Landing Performance Assessment - Aviation Rule Making Committee (TALPA ARC)
Web-based Digital NOTAM System with Real Time Dissemination

63. Think Outside the Box!

65. It Can Be Done

66. Thank You

67. Consolidated Aviation Web Services (CAWS) NWS Consolidated Web Program
QICP Project
Consolidated Aviation Web Services
(CAWS)
NWS Consolidated Web Program
Aviation Weather Center & NWS CIO Office

68. QICP Certification QICP Requirements
No single outage longer than 10 minutes
Three month cumulative outages not to exceed 30 minutes
Security - SSL maintains data integrity
2-minute transaction time accessibility
National Weather Service Consolidated Web Program / enabling QICP 68

69. eQICP Project eQICP = enabling QICP NWS Consolidated Web Program
Qualified Internet Communications Provider (QICP)
Security, Reliability & Accessibility
Consolidated Aviation Web Services (CAWS)
AviationWeather.gov
Aviation Digital Data Services (ADDS)
International Flight Folder Document Program (IFFDP)
NWS Consolidated Web Program
(NWS CWP)
Integration to achieve QICP reliability standards
National Weather Service Consolidated Web Program / enabling QICP 69

70. 3 Sites for Redundancy
National Weather Service Consolidated Web Program / enabling QICP 70

71. NWS QICP Approach Consolidated Aviation Web Services
NEXTGEN Aviation Weather Testbed Web Site
Space Web Services
CWSU Consolidated Web Services
ADDS Data Services
WAFS Data Services
IFFDP Web Services
CAWS
eQICP
ADDS.AviationWeather.gov
AviationWeather.gov
WAFS Web Services
National Weather Service Consolidated Web Program / enabling QICP 71

72. eQICP Benefit
Certification – Commercial operators (part 121 & 135) not authorized to obtain aviation weather information via the Internet unless the site is QICP certified
Integration – Leveraging the NWS CWP benefits the entire NWS aviation program
Scalability – Enables continuing growth
– Resolves current server load problems
Affordable – Leverages hardware/software and IT functions; economy of scale
National Weather Service Consolidated Web Program / enabling QICP 72

73. Costs
Initial investment by the Aviation Weather Center (AWC) and NWS CWP
Sustained by NWS as part of the NWS CWP
Governance model being vetted by NWS
National Weather Service Consolidated Web Program / enabling QICP 73

74. eQICP Major Milestones
Dec 2008: CAWS prototype complete
March 2009: Integrate with NWS CWP
June 2009: Complete testing and apply to FAA for QICP certification
National Weather Service Consolidated Web Program / enabling QICP 74