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