1. NOTAM Modernization at the FAA
Digital NOTAM Workshop #6
Shaelynn Hales, CNA
October 19, 2010

2. NOTAM Modernization at the FAA
The Big Picture
Experiences at the FAA
Approach & Lessons Learned
Goals

3. Aeronautical Common Service
We envision that, to provide the ACS, we must be connected to data originators to support the consolidation of that data into the aeronautical portion of the common operating picture.
We must be able to interoperate not only with the consumers and producers of AI, but also the producers of information from the other information domains; the COP isn’t common unless it is available in its entirety to those who need it.
To that end, not only do the individual domains need to provide standards for their data, but those domain-specific standards should interoperate.
Draft April 2010 3

4. NOTAM Transformation Current Future Varying collection methods
Business
Information Services enabling decision support and situational awareness
Services to deliver Annex 15 products (AIP, NOTAM, PIB…)
Business Transformation
Activity
Process Reengineering
Collect, Process, Publish
Collect, Process, Distribute
Current
Varying collection methods
Non-standard NOTAMs
Future
Digital Collection of NOTAM information
Standardized NOTAMs validated against business rules
Digital Delivery
Aeronautical Information Exchange Model (AIXM)
System Wide Information Management (SWIM)

5. New Concept of Operations Federal NOTAM System
DATALINK
Web
AIM
Web Page
Direct Digital Interface
Legacy Formats
Web Service
(System Interface)
Originator
Federal NOTAM System
Originate NOTAMs at the Source
Digital Capture (Automated rules)
Validate and Publish by FAA
Integrated permanent and temporary information Computer readable Electronic distribution to customers
Now working on a concept of Operations for digital entry of NOTAM information using 5 airports in the U.S. as models. 5

6. Digital NOTAMs Digital NOTAM Definition:
A dataset that contains NOTAM information in a structured format
Fully interpreted by an automated system without human interpretation
Digital NOTAM Characteristics:
Geo-referenced
Temporal
Linked to static data
Transformable
Query enabled
Electronically distributable
In addition to the static information, the dynamic data also can be interpreted by computers. Basically, a digital NOTAM eliminates the free form text contained within a NOTAM and replaces the text with a series of structured facts, which obtain to the aeronautical entity concerned.
Geo-referenced - the information can be automatically plotted on a chart;
Temporal - the effective time can be computer interpreted;
Linked to static data - the change is cross-referenced to the baseline information;
Transformable – the information can be converted into any graphical or textual output, including the existing ICAO NOTAM format;
Query Enabled - a computer system can use complex queries to select temporary and last minute updates of interest based on user-specified criteria;
Electronically distributable - the information can be directly transmitted and incorporated into other computer systems without manual intervention.

7. How Digital am I? Concept of Music CDs
Recording / Mixing / Transfer
AAD / ADD / DDD
Concept Applied to Aeronautical Information
Collection / Storage / Distribution
Analog: a list of remarks
Digital: features, attributes, and status … AIXM!

8. Query Filter Transform Alert
Multiple Views of Data
View A
Plain Language NOTAM Format
View B
View C
A foundation in digital data allows for the transformation of the information to a format that is most appropriate to the specific user.
Example transformations include the traditional US NOTAM format, ICAO, Plain Language, and Geographic.
Query Filter Transform Alert
Data enables Functions

9. ICAO Formatting
ICAO Formatting is really just another view of the digital data
Translation is documented in the scenario document
The FAA FNS policy is being updated
the foundation for ICAO Compliance
A0667/10 NOTAMN
Q) KZAU/QMRLC/IV/NBO/A/000/999/4158N08754W005
A) KORD <Facilities>
B) <From>
C) <To>
D) <Schedule>
E) RWY 04L/22R CLSD <Text>
F) <Lower Limit>
G) <Upper Limit>
features
attributes
status

10. NOTAM Modernization at the FAA
The Big Picture
Experiences at the FAA
Approach & Lessons Learned
Goals

11. Scenarios/Event Specifications
What is a scenario?
A scenario describes the NOTAM condition or event that is being reported
A scenario is applied to a feature
The purpose is to capture the rules that are specific to each category of aeronautical information events

12. Components of Scenarios
Each scenario documents the following:
Identification of the individual elements of the NOTAM
Mapping of each element to AIXM
Translations between the digital encoding to FAA legacy, ICAO, and Plain Language
Business Rules
Template Business Rules
Policy Business Rules
Digital Encoding Business Rules
Sample AIXM Messages

13. FNS Status: Applications and Interfaces
NOTAM Activity
Origination
Distribution
NOTAM Manager
Prototype Application Currently undergoing Airports Field Test
NOTAM Search
Available to the Public:
Web
NOTAM Search ATC
Prototype Application To Be Tested: Target February 2011
Technical Interface
FNS Origination Interface
Under Development and Testing: Target Fall 2010
FNS Distribution Interface
To Be Developed: Target Spring 2011
One way of looking at the FNS Concept of Operations is to divide it into two distinct NOTAM Activities: Origination and Distribution.
Additionally, there are two core technology concepts that are being used: Web Interfaces and System Interfaces.
A web interface provides an application that a human will interact with while a system interface facilitates communication between two systems.
FNS plans to have both a web and a system interface for both NOTAM Activities.
Then, describe the current status of each as they appear on the screen.
System

14. NOTAM Origination Web Interface
NOTAM Manager Application
Provides web based tool for direct-entry digital NOTAM origination
Demonstration

15. NOTAM Origination Demo /1

16. NOTAM Origination Demo /2

17. NOTAM Origination Demo /3

18. NOTAM Origination Demo /4

19. NOTAM Origination Demo /5

20. NOTAM Origination Demo /6

21. NOTAM Origination Demo /7

22. NOTAM Origination Demo /8

23. NOTAM Origination Demo /9

24. NOTAM Origination Demo /10

25. NOTAM Origination Demo /11

26. NOTAM Origination Demo /12

27. NOTAM Distribution Web Interface
NOTAM Search ATC Application
Provides web based tool for NOTAM distribution, notification, and query
Demonstration

28. NOTAM Distribution / 1

29. NOTAM Distribution / 2

30. NOTAM Distribution / 3

31. NOTAM Distribution / 4

32. FAA Field Experience
Began NOTAM Origination field test for 24 hour towered airports in April 2010
Atlantic City International (ACY)
Fort Wayne International (FWA)
Denver International (DEN)
Fairbanks International (FAI)
Richmond International (RIC)
Norfolk International (ORF)
Reagan Washington National (DCA)

33. A Few FNS Digital NOTAM Stats…
Since the start of the Airport Field Test
April 20, 2010 through October 4, 2010
Total NOTAMs issued through NOTAM Manager ~ 1250
ACY 201
FWA 53
DEN 900
FAI 42
ORF 6
RIC 46
NOTAM Distribution by Keyword
Source: FNS query by Vinod on 10/04/10

34. FAA Field Test Experience Feedback
Feedback from the participating airports has been very positive and useful
Feedback is regularly reviewed and addressed
Feedback has included:
Technical issues
Feature suggestions
Ability to capture additional scenarios

35. ACY Statistics (Over ~6 Months)

36. ACY … in their own words
“immediately on-board and proactively giving their support”
“faster than waiting for legacy”
“an immediacy of response”

37. RIC … in their own words
“replacement of in-house software is anticipated”
“[in house software] needed improvements”
“NOTAM process efficiency improved”

38. NOTAM Modernization at the FAA
The Big Picture
Experiences at the FAA
Approach & Lessons Learned
Goals and Next Steps

39. Next Steps: Goals How will we get there? The FAA’s Digital NOTAM goal:
NOTAMs will be digitally collected / processed / distributed
How will we get there?
Approach the goal based on several factors related to NOTAM stakeholders management
Safety Impact
NOTAM Production
Approach to Digital Capture
Readiness

40. Stakeholder Management
Engaging with NOTAM Stakeholders to determine the best methods of NOTAM Origination
Stakeholder
% of Total NOTAMs
# of Identified Event Scenarios
Airport Authority 32 55
Commercial Towers 21 2
OCC/Tech Ops 16
7 completed
~30 identified
Military 15
~2–5 identified focus on Airspace
Other
TBD

41. FNS Plan for Airports
250 Airports create 70% of all Airport issued NOTAMs
ACY

42. For Further Information…
FAA Federal NOTAM System
Barry Davis, FAA
AIM Manager
Shaelynn Hales, CNA
NOTAM Project Manager

43. Support Slides

44. AIM Transformation Aeronautical Information Service
Aeronautical Information Management
Roadmap
As-is Model
To-be Model
Performance
Performance
Safety
ATM Integration
Safety, Efficiency, Capacity
Business
Business
Business Transformation
Services to deliver Annex 15 products (AIP, NOTAM, PIB…)
Information Services enabling decision support and situational awareness
Activity
Activity
Process Reengineering
Collect, Process, Publish
Collect, Process, Distribute
Information
Information
Automation Modernization
Service-Oriented Architecture, Database Management, Workflow Management, Rule Engines
Electronic Files and paper support systems
Standards
Standards
Service Standardization
Publishing Specifications, SARPs
AIXM, WXXM, ISO, Business Process Management (BPM), Web Services, SARPs 44

45. Distribution Electronic versus Digital distribution
Paper
Legacy mechanism to deliver AIS products
Electronic [Transmission Mechanism]
Transmission of products using electronic systems (i.e., PDF of a scanned image)
A PDF is an electronic version of a piece of paper
Digital
Distribution of information in a pre-parsed manner that allows it to be used for query, filter, alert, and transformation (graphics)
Data can be fused to create new information
May be producer also but not part of AIS – may be Contractor
Collect, process and distribute information
Electronic – computer to computer but needs human to interpret/read/process
Digital – from creation to display in cockpit – all done with little help from humans via specifications 45 45

46. Digital verses Analog Digital Analog X Rwy 1 Rwy 19 Txy Stopway
Clearway
(Cliff)
Radio
Tower
(100’)
Apron
Medical
AvGas
Maintenance
Runway Edge Lights
Digital
Analog 46