• FANS-1/A

Over the past couple of decades, with the continued rapid expansion in air traffic, it became apparent that it would be necessary to develop means of using the airspace more efficiently, and be able to give operators more freedom in their utilization of it. During this period, technology gave the capability to utilize satellites for both navigation and communication applications. The FANS Special Committee, chartered by ICAO, produced a report in 1988 that recommended uses of the emerging satellite technologies to meet these goals. Detailed definition and therefore implementation, of the underlying Aeronautical Telecommunications Network (ATN) did not occur in a timely fashion, however, causing the industry to look for other related ways of achieving some benefits as soon as possible. A system utilizing FANS applications for pilot to controller communications and Automatic Dependent Surveillance over the existing ACARS communications network was proposed, defined and implemented. This is the FANS-1 system.

This paper recapitulates the development of the FANS concept, and describes the FANS-1 system and the history of its development and implementation, including a brief discussion on the financial justification for implementation. Future growth and development are covered, and the possibilities for evolution of F ANS-1 to the anticipated CNS/ ATM environment utilizing the ATN.

Mr Kerr is Engineering Department Manager, Honeywell Inc.
Mr Martin is from AJM Consulting, USA