The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced it aims to revolutionise the way air traffic controllers receive flight data, as well as the movement of aircraft between facilities.
Now seeking proposals; the FAA intends to replace the existing en route and terminal system with one platform for air traffic control dubbed the Common Automation Platform (CAP).
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said:Under this Administration’s leadership, we’re going to give our hard-working air traffic controllers the technology they deserve at their fingertips.
CAP will strengthen safety, reduce delays, and ensure America’s airspace is prepared for the future.
Currently, the FAA uses En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM) and Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS) systems to both track and control aircraft.
ERAM allows for the management of high-altitude flights across all 20 Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCC), providing controllers with real-time data for the safe and efficient navigation of aircraft through en route airspace; whilst STARS tracks and coordinates flights in Terminal Radar Approach Controls (TRACONs) facilities and air traffic control towers, and is used in sequencing to issue both conflict alerts and weather updates for arriving and departing aircraft.
The new CAP system aims to unify both platforms into one modern solution for air traffic controllers with an aim to enhance resiliency and stability across the National Airspace System (NAS), allowing controllers to organise airspace and address growing complexity and demands of the future NAS.
