FAA Testing Closer Horizontal Separation over Portion of Pacific

The FAA began testing a 30 x 30 nm (nautical mile) horizontal separation minimum on December 22 over a part of the Pacific Ocean, using its recently implemented ATOP (advanced technologies & oceanic procedures) system.  If successful, the new standards would replace current separation limits that range from 50 to 120 nm.

Closer aircraft separation in remote regions, such as oceans, has long been promised as a way to get more efficient flight profiles, increase payloads on fuel critical routes, and improve operator's ability to avoid weather hazards and turbulence.

Dave Ford, the FAA's director of oceanic and offshore services is quoted on the FAA's Air Traffic Organization's Website as saying, "Up to three times more aircraft will be able to use optimum flight profiles in the airspace, saving fuel, time, and money without compromising safety."

This reduced separation minimum relies on ATOP's controller-decision-support system - dubbed "Ocean21" - and advanced cockpit avionics, such as CPDLC (controller-pilot datalink communications) and ADS-C (automatic dependent surveillance-contract) that are already flying on many FANS (future air navigation systems)-equipped aircraft.

The flight trials will take place for one year over three million square miles in the southern portion of Oakland Center's airspace.  Airlines taking part include United, Air New Zealand, and Qantas.

"Essentially, we're testing the frequency of pairs of aircraft in which 30 x 30 longitude and latitude separation could be applied," said Brian Colamosca, who manages separation standards analysis at the FAA's William J. Hughes Technical Center.  The early test period will help FAA establish an acceptable means to evaluate end-to-end system performance data to ensure no increased risk for aircraft collision due to the reduced separation.  "The FAA is using this test period to confirm some basic assumptions," Mr. Colamosca said. "We want to gain confidence that both the ATOP system and aircraft will perform as they're expected. You've got to overestimate the risks."  01-04-2006.

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