Don Nolan-Proxmire
Headquarters, Washington, DC            September 11, 1995
(Phone:  202/358-1983)


RELEASE:  95-150

NASA/FAA FORM PARTNERSHIP TO IMPROVE AIR TRANSPORTATION 
EFFICIENCY

     NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin and FAA 
Administrator David R. Hinson signed a memorandum of 
understanding (MOU) today that initiates joint research and 
development activities to improve the efficiency of the 
nation's airspace system.

     Using the latest aerospace technology, NASA/FAA 
initiatives will ultimately improve service to the flying 
public by decreasing delays through increased airspace user 
flexibility while maintaining the highest level of safety.

     "NASA is proud to support the FAA in their effort to 
improve the airspace system," said Goldin.  "Consumers, 
aircraft operators and the FAA are on the threshold of the 
next epoch in air traffic management.  I believe our 
contribution to this national challenge will bring the 
dream to reality."

    NASA and FAA will work together to develop a new system 
that takes advantage of key technologies such as the Global 
Positioning System, the Wide Area Augmentation System, and 
data link.

     "The combination of NASA's aeronautics and FAA's air 
traffic management expertise will help lead the nation 
toward our long-term goal of Free Flight," said Hinson.  
"Free Flight will allow pilots, whenever practical, to 
choose their own route and file a flight plan that follows 
the most efficient and economical trajectories.  I'm 
confident that this MOU will help bring us into the 21st 
century, building on the success we've had with the 
National Route Program which is already making great 
strides toward our Free Flight goal."

     The initiative will be managed by a NASA/FAA 
Integrated Product Team.  The team will address both near 
and long-term requirements, with initial emphasis on 
improvements that can be implemented within the next 10 
years.




                    -more-

                     -2-

     Specific areas for joint NASA/FAA activities may 
include, but will not be limited to:

      ¥Roles of flight crews and air traffic controllers:  
More flexible flight operations may involve new roles for 
flight crews and air traffic controllers.

      ¥Integration of air traffic management, cockpit and 
fleet management:  Emerging technologies may permit closer 
integration of air traffic management,
cockpit flight management and operational control centers.

      ¥Cockpit situation awareness:  Technologies developed 
for the Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System and 
Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast offer new 
opportunities to improve cockpit situational awareness both 
on the airport surface and throughout airspace.  Further 
development will increase flight crew participation in air 
traffic management decision-making.

      ¥Conflict detection and resolution:  Development of 
automation technologies and pilot/controller roles will 
enable users to accurately predict and resolve conflicts in 
an efficient and safe manner.

      ¥Flight restrictions:  Development of concepts, 
technologies, responsibilities, and procedures will 
minimize flight restrictions and maximize aircraft 
operations.  Restrictions will continue to be imposed in 
high density areas.

      ¥Safety analysis:  The highest level of safety will 
be maintained.  This will require analyses and simulations 
of safety hazards and development of tools for proactive 
detection of potentially hazardous situations.

      ¥All vehicle classes:  Flight operations will 
accommodate all users including but not limited to 
transport, general aviation, rotorcraft and military 
aircraft.  The system will accommodate each aircraft class 
while assuring that avionics requirements are cost 
effective and affordable.

      ¥Cost-benefit assessments:  Each step in the 
transition to more flexible flight operations will be 
substantiated by cost-benefit estimates.  Projections will 
include impacts on both airspace users and air traffic 
management service providers.

                    -end-

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