General Aviation Summit

November 15-19, 1999

ATP sponsored the "General Aviation Summit" in Washington, D.C. The meeting began on Monday and ended Friday. The theme for the meeting was the renaissance of Flight Service. Participants were the user groups; AOPA, NBAA, GAMA, SAMA, EAA, the 99’s, our Board of Directors and various levels of FAA management.

The results of this meeting were revolutionary for our option. Among the unanimous recommendations:

• Overhaul the entire NOTAM system,
• Replace DF with Aircraft Situational Displays at all FSSs,
• Allow FSS to provide real time SUA information,
• Spend the briefing time on the most important items, de-emphasize legal requirements that hamper communications,
• Do not permit off-loading to another facility when a pilot calls a specific facility location on the ground or inflight,
• Provide FSS controllers with aircraft "tags", including briefing history,
• Revise present policies to provide FSS controllers with training and certification for forecasts and nowcasts,
• Provide a shared database between all FAA facilities,
• Replace WMSCR lines to improve data communication rates, 
• Provide operational weather graphics that show current and forecast weather hazard areas for instrument conditions, thunderstorms, icing and turbulence. Ensure these are highly accurate, precise and timely,
• Fully fund the FAA aviation weather research program,
• Improve number and quality of PIREPs by educating pilots on the need and best practice methods of reporting.

The combined summit participants briefed these recommendations, as well as several others, to AT-1. It was stressed that these are unanimous recommendations and implementation is expected and will be closely monitored. An Interim Review Group (IRG) will be formed with representatives of management, user groups and NAATS to ensure implementation. In May of 2000 another meeting will be held by the participants to review progress.

Obviously, there’s a lot of work ahead of us to accomplish these goals but this is the first time in my experience that we’ve had industry supporting our efforts. Just as obviously, the FAA will have to change the way they look at our option and the services we can and should provide. So be it. We’re very encouraged by what we accomplished last week and we’re determined to maintain the momentum.

I will stay in close touch with both industry leaders and FAA management as we proceed and I’ll keep you advised.

Wally Pike