1. AIXM 5 Development Status

2. AIXM – the first versions
Sources
AIP
AIXM is a standard for aeronautical information dissemination that has been based on:
ICAO Annex 15 “data to support international air navigation”
Industry standards like ARINC 424 (for encoding terminal procedures)
Other standards and best practices
Real world aeronautical information publications
It also took into consideration aspects that are not subject to formal requirements. Examples: route usage restrictions, declared distances from runway/taxiway intersections, airspace aggregations, fuel types, etc.
AICM (the conceptual part of AIXM) - Started by Eurocontrol in 1996
AIXM – started in 1997
First attempt “SQL based”
Move to XML in 1999
EAD operational since 2003 – All European States are expected to have joined the EAD by end 2008

3. AIXM - Internationalization
Complete Data Model
(Military/Civilian)
Global Requirements
Standards (ISO)
The internationalization of AIXM really began in 2003 after the release of version 3.3.
Set-up of the AIXM Change Control Board (ACCB) with international participation (States and industry)
The United States Federal Aviation Administration, United States National Geospatial Intelligence Agency and EUROCONTROL began to collaborate on expanding AIXM to cover global civilian and military aviation needs. Major early activities included assessing AIXM model coverage and updating lists of values.
In SEP 2005 AIXM 4.5 was released. This was the first release that incorporated suggestions from the international community and was a good test of consensus based configuration management.

4. AIXM 5 - Global Standard AIXM
We think the future of AIXM as the global standard for aeronautical data is very promising. States outside Europe, such as Japan, Canada, United States have decided to base their new AIM systems on AIXM.
The Global AIS Congress, which took place in June 2007 and gathered representatives from more than 90 States world-wide, has adopted a number of recommendations. The first one asks:
“ICAO adopt the AICM/AIXM as the standard aeronautical information conceptual model and the standard aeronautical information exchange model, and
develop appropriate means of compliance, and
global mechanisms to manage and develop the AICM/AIXM”
In order to match the expectations of the global AIS community, an AIXM Design Team, organised in cooperation between EUROCONTROL and FAA, with the support of the international community, is developing the next AIXM version 5. This shall fully satisfy the global AIM needs.

5. Mission Based on global aeronautical data requirements
ICAO standards and practices
Industry requirements
Modular and extensible
Support current and future AIM information system requirements
Digital AIPs
Automated charting and publications
Integrated digital NOTAMs
Aerodrome Mapping Databases and applications
Situational displays
Etc.
The goal for AIXM 5 is to provide an extensible, modular aeronautical information exchange standard that can be used to satisfy information exchange requirements for current and future aeronautical information applications. These applications include:
Automated production of Aeronautical Information Publications (AIPs)
Automated aeronautical chart creation and publication systems
Integrated NOTAMs (e.g., xNOTAM)
Aerodrome Mapping Databases (AMDBs) and related applications
Electronic Flight Bag data requirements
Cockpit situational displays and Flight Management System (FMS) data requirement

6. AIXM components Conceptual (content) Model
Exchange format specification
AIXM support AIM in two ways:
The AIXM conceptual model describes the features in the aeronautical domain and can be used as the logical basis for AIM databases. Does this mean that your AIS database must copy the AIXM UML model? No, but the class definitions are derived from ICAO and industry requirements so your system should have similar aeronautical features and properties. By ensuring that your systems can map to the conceptual model, you are making it easier for your system to communicate using AIXM.
The AIXM XML Schema is an exchange format specification for aeronautical data, which can be used to electronically transmit aeronautical data to others. It is positioned as an international standard for aeronautical data exchange between systems.
In version 3 and 4, the conceptual model was using entity-relationship methodology. This has now been replaced by UML in version 5. The encoding was always based on XML, but in version 5 it also becomes compliant with the Geography Markup Language (GML).

7. Timeline
AIXM 3.3

8. AIXM 5 RC 1 First draft UML model and XML schema
Starting from AIXM 4.5
Still missing many features and attributes that are necessary in order to support digital NOTAMs

9. Timeline
AIXM 3.3

10. AIXM 5 RC 2 Support for Airport Mapping Database (AMDB)
Obstacle model -> Vertical Structures model
Full compliance with the Geography Markup Language (ISO 19136) XML Schema
Refinement of the Temporality model
Punctual corrections and extensions following feedback from the stakeholder community

11. Timeline
AIXM 3.3

12. AIXM 5 RC 3 Objectives model for Aerial Refuelling Routes
model for Military Training Routes
“Digital NOTAM” message format
revision of the Service model ?
rules for AIXM application schemas

13. Validation and implementation
AIXM 3.3

14. AIXM 5 trials EUROCONTROL FAA (TU Darmstadt, 2006) AMDB-xNOTAM
(TU Darmstadt, 2007) Procedures-xNOTAM
xNOTAM Trial (JAN-JUN 2008)
FAA
Digital NOTAM submission project
…more details after the lunch break!