Automated NOTAM processing for a graphical and textual integration on data link equipped aircraft

Jeppesen, data integrator for worldwide aeronautical information and airborne EFB systems, and LFV, the Swedish Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) for issuing official NOTAMs, have successfully performed the processing and integration of time-sensitive NOTAM information over data link as well as the graphical presentation to the pilot on an EFB application. The trial project was carried out in partnership with EUROCONTROL, the European Organization for the Safety of Air Navigation. Results were demonstrated in a test flight at Stockholm-Arlanda airport and around the Stockholm Terminal Control Area (TMA). This paper describes the first utilization of the open architecture of the D-AIM NOTAM service, as an integrated end-to-end prototype, developed by LFV in cooperation with EUROCONTROL in the context of an early Single European Sky ATM Research project. Time-sensitive information (such as critical Runway or Taxiway Closures) was provided via the LFV D-AIM server, continually accessed and processed by Jeppesen's global navigation services, and delivered and transmitted in FIS-B data messages directly to the cockpit. The data link technology used to transmit the NOTAM information to the flight deck was the VDL Mode 4 Data Link system. The key objectives, described in the paper, were to: 1) connect the D-AIM service to the data integrator, who provided additional reference information for graphical depiction, 2) convert the message into the specific data link format, which was broadcasted to the aircraft and, finally, 3) depict the information in a data-driven EFB charting application. The prototype EFB application was able to depict the published NOTAM information graphically and textually in the taxi phase using Aerodrome Mapping Database (AMDB), as well as in-flight (arrival phase) when applicable arrival and approach procedure objects where shown. The graphical and textual integration occurred in a timely manner, since NOTAMs showed up between 15 to 20 seconds after they were published by the ANSP. The system architecture and data flow setup, the test flight scenario as operated by the pilots, and the used data driven EFB system onboard, is presented and described in this paper.