An operational approach to FF-ICE planning and global harmonization through IIH&V

This paper outlines the methods used for validating the Flight & Flow Information for a Collaborative Environment (FF-ICE) Provisions and Implementation Guidance as well as the process of developing and executing tabletop activities, as conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The validation activities include both tabletop and laboratory exercises. The recommendations and observations from these activities are provided to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), whose members have the task of proposing processes to succeed the present-day operations to enable the realization of the Operational Concept. Global air traffic is increasing, and systems and processes that can manage the growth and standardize operations are required. The FAA's International Interoperability Harmonization and Validation (IIH&V) project is addressing these challenges by blending advances in airborne and ground technology, and focusing on the operational improvements that these technologies may enable. By exploring the interactions that Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) and airspace users (AUs) could encounter during these future operations, the team is able to provide feedback to that can be adopted by the international aviation community. The FAA provided recommended procedure diagrams to address message submissions and expected responses, a lexicon to normalize definitions for all users, and suggested further exercises exploring airborne message exchanges. These findings will be discussed in detail within this paper. Ultimately, these exercises allow the FAA to participate in the development of a cohesive operating environment while advancing the goals of global harmonization and interoperability.