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The Conference Survey

This year, for the first time, Helios IS conducted an online industry-wide survey as an input to the conference. The survey aims to assess opinion on key issues and opportunities that need to be addressed in aeronautical communications. There are four sections:

  • General
  • Datalink for Air Traffic Services
  • Datalink for Airlines/AOC
  • Technology Issues

The results of this survey were debated in detail at the pre-conference workshop on 27 November.

Everyone was welcome to take part in the survey, even those unable to attend the workshop or conference. All participants were entered in to a free prize draw, the winner receiving a bottle of champagne and a free place at ATN2006+.

The Survey Results were:

1. In which part of the world are you based?
  Response Percent Response Total
    Europe
75.6% 34
    Asia
6.7% 3
    Pacific Rim
0% 0
    Middle East
6.7% 3
    India & South East Asia
2.2% 1
    North America
8.9% 4
    South America
0% 0
    Antarctica
0% 0
Total Respondents   45
(skipped this question)   0
2. Your background: are you from?
  Response Percent Response Total
    An airline
22.2% 10
    An ANSP
24.4% 11
    An airport
4.4% 2
    A regulatory agency
4.4% 2
    Other government
0% 0
    Aviation industry
22.2% 10
    Consultant
4.4% 2
    Student
4.4% 2
    Other (please specify)
13.3% 6
Total Respondents   45
(skipped this question)   0
3. From the following list, please pick what you believe to be the 3 biggest 'BARRIERS TO IMPLEMENTATION' of datalink services:
  Response Percent Response Total
  Available datalink technology
19% 8
  Cost of airborne equipment
57.1% 24
  Cost of ground equipment
26.2% 11
  Operating costs
31% 13
  Spectrum availability
11.9% 5
  Consensus of applications
50% 21
  Consensus on technology
57.1% 24
  Availability of standards/certification material
35.7% 15
Total Respondents   42
(skipped this question)   3
4. Do you think there should be support for 'early adoption' of datalink?
  Response Percent Response Total
    Yes
92.7% 38
    No
7.3% 3
Total Respondents   41
(skipped this question)   4
5. SESAR (formerly known as SESAME) started out in 2003 as a proposal to the European Commission from the Air Traffic Alliance for a 'Definition Phase Study'. In November 2005 the European Commission officially announced SESAR, the Single European Sky implementation programme. Who do you think should take the lead in ensuring that aviation comms are successfully deployed? (Please select one of the following)
  Response Percent Response Total
  SESAR
20% 9
  EUROCONTROL
33.3% 15
  European Commission
20% 9
  Airlines
22.2% 10
  ANSPs
8.9% 4
  Other (please specify)
4.4% 2
Total Respondents   45
(skipped this question)   0
6. What comms innovations would you like to see happen in the next 5 years?
 Total Respondents  
27
(skipped this question)   18
7. Civil aviation is currently allocated significant amounts of available electromagnetic spectrum for use across communications, navigation and surveillance. This includes the VHF communications band (118-137 Mhz) and the VHF navigation band (108-117.95 Mhz). There are many other potential users for this spectrum and some National Governments have proposed charging for use in order to improve effecient utilisation. Do you believe that Civil Aviation should be exempt from such charging?
  Response Percent Response Total
    Yes, civil aviation should be exempt
75% 33
    No, civil aviation should not be exempt
25% 11
    Other (please specify)
0% 0
Total Respondents   44
(skipped this question)   1
8. What do you think should be done to improve spectrum utilisation?
 Total Respondents  
21
(skipped this question)   24
9. Which section of the survey would you like to visit now?
  Response Percent Response Total
    Datalink for Air Traffic Services (ATS)
68.2% 30
    Datalink for Airlines (AOC)
9.1% 4
    Technology Issues
22.7% 10
    Exit survey
0% 0
Total Respondents   44
(skipped this question)   1
10. Has your airline made use of FANS-1/A or ATN/CPDLC datalink services?
  Response Percent Response Total
    Yes
63.6% 7
    No
18.2% 2
    Don't know
18.2% 2
Total Respondents   11
(skipped this question)   34
11. If yes, please rate your experience of the following aspects on a scale of 1 to 5 (where 1 = Poor and 5 = Excellent)
1 - Poor 2 3 4 5 - Excellent Response Average
Pilot Experience
12% (1) 0% (0) 12% (1) 38% (3) 38% (3) 3.88
Avionics Supplier Support
0% (0) 25% (2) 12% (1) 12% (1) 50% (4) 3.88
Air/Ground Communications Provider Support
0% (0) 12% (1) 25% (2) 25% (2) 38% (3) 3.88
ANSP Support
0% (0) 0% (0) 43% (3) 43% (3) 14% (1) 3.71
Operational Benefits
0% (0) 12% (1) 0% (0) 88% (7) 0% (0) 3.75
Financial Benefits
12% (1) 25% (2) 50% (4) 12% (1) 0% (0) 2.63
Total Respondents   8
(skipped this question)   37
12. Does your airline use ACARS?
  Response Percent Response Total
    Yes
75% 9
    No
8.3% 1
    Don't know
16.7% 2
Total Respondents   12
(skipped this question)   33
13. If no, is your airline considering the use of ACARS in the future?
  Response Percent Response Total
    Yes
50% 1
    No
0% 0
    Don't know
50% 1
Total Respondents   2
(skipped this question)   43
14. Uses for ACARS: if your airline is already or is intending to use ACARS, what will it use it for? Please tick one or more of the following:
  Response Percent Response Total
  Expediting aircraft turn around
63.6% 7
  Engine maintenance data
72.7% 8
  Position reporting
90.9% 10
  Airport gate allocation
36.4% 4
  Updating flight plans
63.6% 7
  Providing passenger information (eg. transfer gates at airport, delays to connecting flights, cricket scores etc.)
45.5% 5
  NOTAMS
54.5% 6
  Weather reports
90.9% 10
  Downlink of meteorological data
54.5% 6
  Fuel reports
54.5% 6
  Pilot logs
36.4% 4
  Technical log update
45.5% 5
  Out-Off-On-In (OOOI)
81.8% 9
  Flight status information
81.8% 9
  Aircraft load and balance reports
63.6% 7
Total Respondents   11
(skipped this question)   34
15. If yes, on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest), how do you rate the benefits of using ACARS?
1 - Low 2 3 4 5 - High Response Average
Benefits of using ACARS
0% (0) 0% (0) 17% (2) 50% (6) 33% (4) 4.17
Total Respondents   12
(skipped this question)   33
16. How can ACARS be improved in the future? Please select one or more of the following:
  Response Percent Response Total
  Improve performance (faster, more capacity)
91.7% 11
  Encrypt all communications
50% 6
  Evolve into a general purpose Internet
25% 3
  Uplink image data
33.3% 4
  Lower cost
50% 6
  Other (please specify)
16.7% 2
Total Respondents   12
(skipped this question)   33
17. Does your airline use SATCOM ACARS?
  Response Percent Response Total
    Yes
63.6% 7
    No
27.3% 3
    Don't know
9.1% 1
Total Respondents   11
(skipped this question)   34
18. If no, if this because ... (please select one of the following)
  Response Percent Response Total
    Not cost justifiable
0% 0
    Do not fly out of range of VHF ACARS
0% 0
    Did not know SATCOM ACARS existed
0% 0
    Other (please specify)
100% 3
Total Respondents   3
(skipped this question)   42
19. Do you use the "Electronic Flight Bag"?
  Response Percent Response Total
    Yes
10% 1
    No
90% 9
Total Respondents   10
(skipped this question)   35
20. What do you see as the benefits of the Electronic Flight Bag? Please select one or more of the following:
  Response Percent Response Total
  Cost benefit
75% 6
  Improve information accuracy
62.5% 5
  Reduce paperwork
87.5% 7
  Speed up aircraft turnaround at the gate
37.5% 3
  Other (please specify)
12.5% 1
Total Respondents   8
(skipped this question)   37
21. Are you worried about ACARS security?
  Response Percent Response Total
    Yes
66.7% 8
    No
33.3% 4
Total Respondents   12
(skipped this question)   33
22. Please prioritise the following four security issues in order of importance to you, with 1 being the least important and 4 the most important.
1 - Least important 2 3 4 - Most important Response Average
Confidentiality - stopping others reading ACARS messages
25% (2) 38% (3) 0% (0) 38% (3) 2.50
Integrity - others modifying your ACARS messages
9% (1) 18% (2) 45% (5) 27% (3) 2.91
Origin Authentication - making sure messages really do come from a specific aircraft/airline
22% (2) 44% (4) 22% (2) 11% (1) 2.22
Denial of Service attacks
40% (4) 0% (0) 40% (4) 20% (2) 2.40
Total Respondents   12
(skipped this question)   33
23. Which section of the survey would you like to visit now?
  Response Percent Response Total
    Datalink for Air Traffic Services (ATS)
30% 6
    Technology Issues
35% 7
    Exit survey
35% 7
Total Respondents   20
(skipped this question)   25
24. How important is the deployment of datalink services to your organisation's future operations?
  Response Percent Response Total
    Essential
25.9% 7
    Very important
40.7% 11
    Quite important
29.6% 8
    Not important
0% 0
    Don't know
3.7% 1
Total Respondents   27
(skipped this question)   18
25. There are two competing standards for Datalink Services: FANS-1/A and ATN/CPDLC. What do you think are the reasons behind the existence of two competing standards for datalink services?
 Total Respondents  
20
(skipped this question)   25
26. Is convergence between FANS-1/A and ATN/CPDLC important to you?
  Response Percent Response Total
    Yes, very important
46.2% 12
    Yes, quite important
42.3% 11
    No, not important
3.8% 1
    Don't know
7.7% 2
Total Respondents   26
(skipped this question)   19
27. Would you expect convergence to: (Please select one or more of the following:)
  Response Percent Response Total
  Reduce costs
51.9% 14
  Allow datalink services to be deployed more rapidly
66.7% 18
  Enable you to use existing equipment rather than buy new ATN equipment
25.9% 7
  Make it more likely that airlines will support datalink deployment
59.3% 16
  Other (please specify)
7.4% 2
Total Respondents   27
(skipped this question)   18
28. Please rate the operational and financial benefits of the following current and future ATS datalink services on a scale of 1 (lowest benefits) to 5 (highest benefits).
1 - lowest benefits 2 3 4 5 - highest benefits Response Average
Transfer of Communications (ACM)
4% (1) 20% (5) 20% (5) 40% (10) 16% (4) 3.44
Airborne Clearances (ACL)
0% (0) 4% (1) 42% (10) 21% (5) 33% (8) 3.83
ATC Microphone check (AMC)
13% (3) 13% (3) 57% (13) 9% (2) 9% (2) 2.87
Automatic Assignment of Mode A codes
0% (0) 9% (2) 59% (13) 27% (6) 5% (1) 3.27
Automatic Position Reporting
0% (0) 9% (2) 18% (4) 41% (9) 32% (7) 3.95
Controller to Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC)
8% (2) 0% (0) 12% (3) 25% (6) 54% (13) 4.17
Digital ATIS (D-ATIS)
0% (0) 4% (1) 30% (7) 22% (5) 43% (10) 4.04
Pre-Departure Clearances (PDC)
0% (0) 4% (1) 22% (5) 35% (8) 39% (9) 4.09
Oceanic Clearances (OCM)
0% (0) 12% (3) 25% (6) 38% (9) 25% (6) 3.75
Flight Information Services (D-OTIS)
4% (1) 17% (4) 29% (7) 42% (10) 8% (2) 3.33
Taxi Clearances (D-TAXI)
0% (0) 21% (5) 21% (5) 33% (8) 25% (6) 3.63
Trajectory Management (COTRAC)
0% (0) 22% (5) 30% (7) 35% (8) 13% (3) 3.39
Flight Plan Consistency (FLIPCY)
0% (0) 9% (2) 22% (5) 52% (12) 17% (4) 3.78
Pilot Preferences Downlink (PPD)
4% (1) 26% (6) 43% (10) 17% (4) 9% (2) 3.00
Datalink Runway Visual Range (D-RVR)
9% (2) 9% (2) 35% (8) 30% (7) 17% (4) 3.39
Datalink Significant Meteorological Information (D-SIGMET)
0% (0) 22% (5) 13% (3) 35% (8) 30% (7) 3.74
Dynamic Route Availability (DYNAV)
0% (0) 13% (3) 30% (7) 30% (7) 26% (6) 3.70
Total Respondents   25
(skipped this question)   20
29. The current timescale for D-OTIS and D-TAXI is 2014+ and for the other services, deployment is likely to be 2020+. Do you want to see a speeding up of the timetable for service introduction?
  Response Percent Response Total
    Yes
64% 16
    No
16% 4
    Don't care
20% 5
Total Respondents   25
(skipped this question)   20
30. If yes, why?
 Total Respondents  
9
(skipped this question)   36
31. The Single Sky Unit of the EC is currently formulating an Implementing Rule (IR) for Datalink services. This will mandate the carriage of ATN/CPDLC capable avionics by 2014, and compatible ANSP ground systems. What do you believe will result from the proposed Implementing Rule? Please select one or more of the options below:
  Response Percent Response Total
  More bureaucracy
13% 3
  Quicker take up of datalink services
52.2% 12
  Improved airspace capacity
56.5% 13
  Fewer delays
30.4% 7
  Reduced fuel burn / Environmental benefits
26.1% 6
  Give suppliers the confidence to invest in systems development
56.5% 13
  Earlier adoption of future datalink services
47.8% 11
  Lower en route charges for airlines
21.7% 5
  Other (please specify)
8.7% 2
Total Respondents   23
(skipped this question)   22
32. Are cash incentives needed to bring about early adoption?
  Response Percent Response Total
    Yes
56.5% 13
    No
21.7% 5
    Don't know
21.7% 5
Total Respondents   23
(skipped this question)   22
33. Who should pay for any cash incentives? (Please select one of the following)
  Response Percent Response Total
    The European Commisssion via TEN-T funding
20.8% 5
    Eurocontrol via existing budget
8.3% 2
    ANSPs - based on an agreed increase in User Charges
16.7% 4
    An incentive scheme as defined in the proposed Common Charging Regulation
41.7% 10
    Other (please specify)
12.5% 3
Total Respondents   24
(skipped this question)   21
34. If you represent an ANSP, will your ANSP be ready for 2014? (Other respondents please proceed to Q13)
  Response Percent Response Total
    Yes
50% 5
    No
0% 0
    Don't know
50% 5
Total Respondents   10
(skipped this question)   35
35. If no, please indicate why?
 Total Respondents  
1
(skipped this question)   44
36. Which section of the survey would you like to visit now?
  Response Percent Response Total
    Datalink for Airlines (AOC)
34.5% 10
    Technology Issues
44.8% 13
    Exit survey
20.7% 6
Total Respondents   29
(skipped this question)   16
37. The LINK2000+ programme is deploying CPDLC according to ICAO standards. However, these were based on ISO standards that were never widely adopted ... Do you believe it would benefit the industry to move to using industry standards ie. to make aeronautical communications compatible with the Public Internet?
  Response Percent Response Total
    Yes
65.2% 15
    No
26.1% 6
    Don't know
8.7% 2
Total Respondents   23
(skipped this question)   22
38. What do you see as the benefits of making aeronautical communications compatible with the public Internet? (Please select one or more of the options below)
  Response Percent Response Total
  Will reduce costs
77.3% 17
  Civil Aviation should always try and use Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) technology
54.5% 12
  The technology is better
31.8% 7
  Larger user base
22.7% 5
  Enabler for more applications
40.9% 9
  More suppliers and services can be used
45.5% 10
  Other (please specify)
4.5% 1
Total Respondents   22
(skipped this question)   23
39. What do you see as the disadvantages of doing this? (Please select one or more of the options below)
  Response Percent Response Total
  Security concerns
79.2% 19
  ICAO Standards defined and validated, why repeat the work?
45.8% 11
  Technology change will delay implementation
37.5% 9
  Other (please specify)
16.7% 4
Total Respondents   24
(skipped this question)   21
40. If the aviation industry uses compatible technology with the Public Internet, are you concerned about potential security implications?
  Response Percent Response Total
    Yes
70.8% 17
    No
25% 6
    Don't know
4.2% 1
Total Respondents   24
(skipped this question)   21
41. Would it be acceptable in your view to introduce industry standard communications technology without also ensuring high levels of security?
  Response Percent Response Total
    Yes
16.7% 4
    No
83.3% 20
    Don't know
0% 0
Total Respondents   24
(skipped this question)   21
42. Do you believe that Open Source Software has any role to play in the aviation industry?
  Response Percent Response Total
    Yes
75% 18
    No
20.8% 5
    Don't know
4.2% 1
Total Respondents   24
(skipped this question)   21
43. What do you see as the benefits of using Open Source software in aviation? (Please select one or more of the options below)
  Response Percent Response Total
  Will reduce costs
77.3% 17
  Provides long term stability (not dependent on a supplier that may lose interest/go bust)
50% 11
  Improves security - due to source code review by many independent experts
22.7% 5
  Enables sharing of ideas
50% 11
  Aviation is a niche market and needs to leverage off others
59.1% 13
  Access to source code needed for certification of safety related systems
36.4% 8
  Other (please specify)
9.1% 2
Total Respondents   22
(skipped this question)   23
44. What do you see as the disadvantages of using Open Source software in aviation? (Please select one or more of the options below)
  Response Percent Response Total
  If I buy software from a recognised supplier then they are liable for any problems
65% 13
  MS Windows is good enough to be used in the cockpit
5% 1
  Software developers should always be paid for their work
30% 6
  Intellectual Property Rights should not be given away
20% 4
  Other (please specify)
15% 3
Total Respondents   20
(skipped this question)   25
45. Awareness of technologies: how would you rate your understanding of the following technologies? (Scale ranges from just aware, through to top level expertise)
Know the name Know what it's for Also know how it is used Have implemented systems Expert N/A Response Average
TCP/IP
4% (1) 8% (2) 54% (13) 29% (7) 4% (1) 0% (0) 3.21
OSI
18% (4) 5% (1) 32% (7) 32% (7) 5% (1) 9% (2) 3.00
ATN
0% (0) 26% (6) 43% (10) 22% (5) 9% (2) 0% (0) 3.13
ASN.1
17% (4) 26% (6) 26% (6) 13% (3) 0% (0) 17% (4) 2.42
Mobile IP
9% (2) 30% (7) 57% (13) 4% (1) 0% (0) 0% (0) 2.57
Broadband SATCOM
4% (1) 39% (9) 43% (10) 13% (3) 0% (0) 0% (0) 2.65
VDL2
4% (1) 13% (3) 43% (10) 26% (6) 9% (2) 4% (1) 3.23
VDL4
5% (1) 27% (6) 64% (14) 0% (0) 0% (0) 5% (1) 2.62
CPDLC
4% (1) 13% (3) 48% (11) 22% (5) 13% (3) 0% (0) 3.26
ACARS
4% (1) 4% (1) 57% (13) 22% (5) 13% (3) 0% (0) 3.35
FANS-1/A
9% (2) 13% (3) 57% (13) 9% (2) 13% (3) 0% (0) 3.04
IPSec
22% (5) 30% (7) 35% (8) 4% (1) 0% (0) 9% (2) 2.24
X.25
17% (4) 17% (4) 42% (10) 8% (2) 17% (4) 0% (0) 2.92
VoIP
14% (3) 24% (5) 48% (10) 14% (3) 0% (0) 0% (0) 2.62
Total Respondents   24
(skipped this question)   21
46. To what extent does ADS-B technology interest you?
  Response Percent Response Total
    Very interested
41.7% 10
    Quite interested
50% 12
    Not interested
4.2% 1
    What is ADS-B?
4.2% 1
Total Respondents   24
(skipped this question)   21
47. Which section of the survey would you like to visit now?
  Response Percent Response Total
    Datalink for Air Traffic Services (ATS)
24% 6
    Datalink for Airlines (AOC)
12% 3
    Exit survey
64% 16
Total Respondents   25
(skipped this question)   20

 

 

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