FAA data standards initiative: systems engineering base for air traffic modernization

The evolution and modernization of the National Airspace System depends upon the exchange of more information among a growing number of systems and people. Continuing to define data at the local level and to establish point-to-point interfaces in the face of more complexity not only increases the cost of software maintenance and makes achieving interoperability more difficult, but also raises the chances for data inconsistency and its inherent safety risks. As a solution, data standardization provides the starting point for ensuring that the information being exchanged is well understood and correctly interpreted. A framework for developing data standards has been established by the FAA, and it is recommended that the aviation community identify high-priority needs and initiate work on key standards.