The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is hosting a virtual industry day event to educate companies interested in manufacturing and selling supplemental surveillance tools to increase airborne situational awareness. These “Airborne Position Reference Tools” (APRTs) will be available for purchase and operation by non-federal entities (e.g., airport authorities). They are intended for use in air traffic control towers that are staffed by non-federally employed controllers and not equipped with Standard Terminal Automation Replacement Systems (STARS).
The FAA does not operate every Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) in the National Airspace System (NAS). Some towers are staffed by non-federally employed controllers, either via the FAA Contract Tower (FCT) program, or with non-federal funding. A number of these “non-FAA” towers do not have a Certified Tower Radar Display (i.e., STARS). Without radar data the controllers at those towers must rely on their own visual observations, and their radio communications with pilots. Many of these towers desire a tool that supplements situational awareness by providing controllers with a digital picture of their airspace.
APRTs may only be used to supplement controllers’ visual observations, and their radio communications with pilots. APRTs may not be used as the basis for maintaining separation between aircraft and they may not connect to FAA networks and/or FAA equipment.
The FAA is not conducting an acquisition for APRTs. Sponsors who want to procure and operate an APRT must purchase FAA approved systems/services. The FAA has developed minimum requirements that prospective manufacturers must meet and an approval process they must follow. Multiple vendors’ systems/services may be approved for non-federal use under the APRT umbrella.
On Wednesday December 11th from 1:30 – 4:30pm the FAA will virtually brief that information to interested parties and entertain questions. The agency will also announce the date on which prospective manufacturers may submit their design approval requests.
Questions? Contact Michael.J.Schoen@faa.gov / (202) 267-9841
