Evaluation of the Multi-Regional Trajectory Based Operations (MR TBO) Live Flight Project

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in collaboration with Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Ltd. (AEROTHAI), Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) and The Boeing Company, showcased multi-regional trajectory based operations (TBO) concepts with live flights in June 2023. The Multi-Regional Trajectory Based Operations (MR TBO) Live Flight Demonstration took place over six days and included four legs: Seattle to Narita, Narita to Singapore, Singapore to Bangkok, and Bangkok to Seattle and utilized the 2023 Boeing EcoDemonstrator Explorer 787-10 aircraft.Trajectory Based Operations (TBO) is fundamental to realizing the benefits anticipated from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Global Air Traffic Management Operational Concept (GATMOC, ICAO Doc 9854). TBO will bring about a new paradigm of cooperation in Air Traffic Management (ATM), enabled by timely exchange of harmonized operational data not only between Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) but also between ANSPs and Airspace Users (AUs).A list of capabilities, interactions, and information needs were decomposed from a TBO operating concept into specific, detailed scenarios and use cases reflecting operations transiting multiple Flight Information Regions (FIRs). Across the scenarios and Use Cases the selected areas of focus included demonstrating Connected Aircraft capabilities, validation of ICAO’s Flight and Flow Information for a Collaborative Environment (FF-ICE) Release 1 (R1) draft Implementation Guidance, initial FF-ICE Release 2 (R2) services, global information exchange models, application of the International Aviation Trust Framework (IATF), and analysis of Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) procedures and information needs.During the Live Flight Demonstration, several topics were identified for further exploration, including lessons learned and recommendations. Feedback specific to FF-ICE R2 concepts, as well as message exchange standards regarding both routing and data governance was provided. This paper will highlight the live flight, the use cases executed, and the subsequent lessons learned throughout the entire process.