ATCA Roundtable Discussions - Infrastructure: Digital and Physical

Thank you to our Roundtable sponsor:

A variety of new and exciting operations have transformed the NAS, seemingly “out of the blue.” There's an emerging need to address the many fundamental questions of how to meet  the new operational environment. Join us for three roundtable discussions to explore infrastructure, operations, and R&D in support of the future NAS.

Abstract: The backbone of the aviation infrastructure is comprised of a network of safety critical, sensors, ground-based navigation facilities, communications towers, and networks. All of these elements work in concert to provide information to our air traffic controllers. Much like many of our bridges and water transport systems, this critical infrastructure is old and in dire need of replacement. In fact, the US NAS possesses one of the oldest safety critical aviation infrastructure in the world. Following 9/11 and the Great Recession of 2008, the FAA NextGen implementation focused on performance improvements to enable more efficient flight operations in the NAS. Today, we face a new recovery. The evolution of infrastructure must parallel with evolving operational needs of the aviation community and the investigation of new technology platforms and approaches to systemically evolve aviation by prioritizing investments. Infrastructure modernization is more about the supporting elements of the NAS, not those we see with the naked eye. As air traffic is recovering from the most significant downturn in history following the COVID-19 pandemic, now is the time to look at aviation’s physical and digital infrastructure needs. Join us in this powerful ATCA BSI discussion where industry stakeholders discuss the modernization of the “hidden NAS” and the needs of our aviation system as we enter the digital age of aviation.

Table Leads:
Hon. Donna McLean, PlanzerMcLean
Dr. Parimal "PK" Kopardekar, NASA
Chris Giacoponello, Ground-Based Aviation Infrastructure Coalition
Amy Gusky, FAA