Technology Assessment Results of the Eurocontrol/FAA Future Communications Study

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Eurocontrol jointly initiated the future communications study (FCS) to develop a common approach for a globally harmonized air traffic management (ATM) communications system. The FCS includes operational concepts and communications requirements development, analysis of business and institutional elements, and identification and assessment of technology alternatives. The FCS technology assessment determined the best set of available technologies for aviation safety communications for ATM given key constraints such as cost, transition feasibility, technical requirements, and spectrum availability. From 2004 to 2007, the assessment progressed in three phases, yielding technical results and recommendations for development and phased implementation of a future aviation communications infrastructure.