2C01,A
VIATIONS
URFACEW
EATHERO
BSERVATIONS
YSTEM FY 2014 Request $10.0MAviation Surface Weather Observation Network (ASWON) – Technology Refresh, W01.03-
01
Program Description
The Aviation Surface Weather Observation Network (ASWON) is a portfolio program that consists of the following surface weather sensor systems: the Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS), Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS), Automated Weather Sensor Systems (AWSS), Stand Alone Weather Sensors (SAWS), Digital Altimeter Setting Indicator (DASI), F-420 Wind Sensor, and AWOS Data Acquisition System (ADAS).
Integrated Terminal Weather System (ITWS) -
Technology Refresh
First ORD: April 2003 -- Last ORD: August 2010 (34th Unit) ITWS
Tech Refresh: First site Deployment: 2016 -- Last site: 2018 TR
2020 2015
These systems, except the ADAS, are located at airports and measure and report weather conditions such as temperature, barometric pressure, visibility, precipitation type and amount, cloud height and coverage, and wind speed and direction. The ADAS, located in FAA En Route centers, accepts weather data from ASOS, AWSS, and AWOS and retransmits the data to weather processor systems like Integrated Terminal Weather System (ITWS) and Weather and Radar Processor (WARP).
The ASWON Technology Refresh program will provide compatible technology upgrades and/or replacements to five legacy ASWON systems (ASOS, AWOS, AWSS, DASI, F-420) experiencing obsolescence, supportability, and maintainability issues. This sustainment effort will enable these systems to continue their role of providing weather information to allow safe operation of the NAS. Successful implementation will also result in a common hardware platform and software baseline -- this will reduce development costs; logistics support costs, and software maintenance costs/effort.
Alignment of Program to FAA Strategic Goal, Objective, and Performance Target
FAA Strategic Goal 3 – Delivering Aviation Access through Innovation. FAA Objective 3 – Air navigation infrastructure and associate systems are flexible, reliable, cost effective and secure
FAA Performance Metric 2 – Maintain operational availability of the National Airspace System (NAS) at 99.7 percent through 2016.
Relationship to Performance Target
ASWON Technology Refresh contributes to maintaining operational availability by replacing obsolete unsupportable equipment experiencing increasing failure rates. Continued failures of weather sensing equipment will result in a loss of ASWON services and subsequent inability to maintain current operational availability levels. Program Plans FY 2014 – Performance Output Goals
Award system integration contract.
Install AWOS Technology Refresh mods at 15 sites (15 of 187, 8%). Install AWSS Technology Refresh mods at key site (1 of 44, 2%). Program Plans FY 2015 – Performance Output Goals
Install AWOS Technology Refresh mods at 40 additional sites (65 of 187, 35%). Install AWSS Technology Refresh mods at 20 additional sites (21 of 44, 48%). Install DASI Technology Refresh mods at key site (1 of 180).
Install F-420 Technology Refresh mods at key site (1 of 210). Program Plans FY 2016 – Performance Output Goals
Install AWSS Technology Refresh at 23 remaining sites (44 of 44, 100%).
Install AWOS Technology Refresh mods at 50 additional sites (115 of 187, 61%). Install F-420 Technology Refresh mods at 30 additional sites (31 of 210, 15%). Install DASI Technology Refresh mods at 40 additional sites (41 of 180, 23%). Begin ASOS Software Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) at key site. Program Plans FY 2017 – Performance Output Goals
Install AWOS Technology Refresh at remaining 72 sites (187 of 187, 100%). Install ASOS Technology Refresh mods at 50 sites (50 of 517, 10%). Install DASI Technology Refresh mod at 40 sites (81 of 180, 45%). Install F-420 Technology Refresh mods at 40 sites (81 of 210, 40%). Program Plans FY 2018 – Performance Output Goals
Install DASI Technology Refresh mods at 40 additional sites (121 of 180, 67%). Install ASOS Technology Refresh mods at 100 additional sites (151 of 571, 30%). Install F-420 Technology Refresh mods at 60 additional sites (141 of 210, 67%).
System Implementation Schedule
2C02,F
UTUREF
LIGHTS
ERVICESP
ROGRAM(FFSP)
FY 2014 Request $3.0MFuture Flight Service Program, A34.01-01
Program Description
Current Flight Service automation is provided by three separate contracts: Direct User Access Terminal System (DUAT/S); Automated Flight Service Station (AFSS) Flight Service 21; and Operational and Supportability Implementation System (OASIS)). FFSP’s goal is to integrate all Flight Service contracts into a single service entity.
The Alaska automation system (OASIS) is contractor owned and FAA personnel provide the services. In the lower 48 states, contractor personnel use a proprietary system (AFSS CONUS) to provide Flight Services. The DUATS is a web-based service that allows authorized pilots to access weather and aeronautical data and file a flight plan, eliminating the need to talk to a flight service specialist.
The objective for FFSP is to integrate these contracts into a single contractual vehicle and to provide the opportunity for innovation of the services. The alternatives being examined concern when and how the system in Alaska and the web-portal will be integrated. Some of the possibilities for innovation are:
Integrating graphical and text-based weather products and other aeronautical information for use in pilot briefings;
Integrating aeronautical data updates with NOTAM and flight plan data on the displays of FFSP automation systems; and
The development of a web portal that will provide both flight service specialists and aviation community users with access to the same data, improving access to consistent and accurate flight service information. In addition there will be consideration of an automatic capability to provide pilots with critical updates that occur after having received preflight briefings, and to monitor VFR aircraft in order to be more proactive in search and rescue efforts.
The strategy for FFSP is to move the primary delivery of Flight Services from the more expensive human delivery through telephone and radio contact to the more cost effective electronic delivery. The means by which this will be accomplished will be through performance incentives and the restructuring of the existing contract vehicles as those contracts become amendable or expire.
Aviation Surface Weather Observation Network
(ASWON) – Technology Refresh
First site 2014 -- Last site 2020 ASWON TR
AWSS Technology Refresh: First site 2014 -- Last site September 2016 AWSS TR
AWOS Technology Refresh: First site 2014 -- Last site September AWOS TR
DASI Technology Refresh: First site 2015 -- Last site September 2019 DASI TR
F-420 Technology Refresh: First site 2015 -- Last site September 2019 F-420 TR
ASOS Technology Refresh: First site 2017 -- Last site September 2020 ASOS TR
Alignment of Program to FAA Strategic Goal, Outcome, and Performance Metric
FAA Strategic Goal 1 – Next Level of Safety. FAA Outcome 3 – There is a reduction the general aviation fatal accident rate.
FAA Performance Metric 1 – Reduce general aviation fatal accident rate to no more than 1 fatal accident per 100,000 flight hours by 2018.
Relationship to Performance Metric
FFSP anticipates that the new system will foster better safety awareness for pilots by providing critical updates on changing weather conditions, which will allow pilots to make decisions to avoid hazardous weather based on near real time information. FFSP anticipates that the new system, once selected, will provide through, vendor innovation, a more timely Search and Rescue (SAR) response based on conformance with flight plan information.
Program Plans FY 2014 – Performance Output Goals
Implement initial phase of FFSP through expansion of web portal DUATS contract award. Complete analysis documentation of tiered service approach for FFSP.
Program Plans FY 2015 – Performance Output Goals
Begin reduced reliance on human delivery of Flight Service through extension of AFSS contract. Achieve FFSP Initial Investment Decision (IID).
Program Plans FY 2016 – Performance Output Goals
Further reductions in human delivery of Flight Services through integration of technology and contracts. Develop Request For Proposal (RFP)/Screening Information Request (SIR) for FFSP.
Program Plans FY 2017 – Performance Output Goals Achieve FFSP Final Investment Decision (FID). Finalize Lower 48 implementation of FFSP. Program Plans FY 2018 – Performance Output Goals Integration of Alaska into FFSP.
2C03,A
LASKAF
LIGHTS
ERVICEF
ACILITYM
ODERNIZATION(AFSFM)
FY 2014 Request $2.9MAlaska Flight Service Facility Modernization (AFSFM), F05.04-02
Program Description
The Alaska Flight Service Facility Modernization (AFSFM) program modernizes or replaces the Flight Service facilities in Alaska to ensure the security and sustainment of Flight Services, and develop the infrastructure for continuity of operations. Over 1/3 of the 17 Alaska Flight Service facilities were constructed in the 1970’s and require extensive renovations to meet current building codes, fire life safety, Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standard (ABAAS) and electrical standards. Specifically, Flight Service buildings will be updated to meet Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, and the electrical and safety systems will be upgraded to ensure they meet standards. Notably, the Dillingham Flight Service Station (FSS) is currently not compliant with FAA Standards, current local building codes, and current fire/life safety regulations. After years of continuous and constant operations in a harsh, maritime climate, the facility has far exceeded its expected useful service life. Construction of a new Dillingham FSS began in August 2012 and is scheduled for completion in summer 2013. A Flight Services Delivery Study is underway to analyze facility locations, areas of service demand, conditions of existing facilities and quality of life issues, and identify cost effective and efficient means of delivering flight services in Alaska.
In coordination with Alaska Technical Operations and the Western Service Center, plans are developed to maintain and sustain Alaskan Flight Services facilities.
Alignment of Program to FAA Strategic Goal, Outcome, and Performance Metric
FAA Strategic Goal 3 – Delivering Aviation Access through Innovation. FAA Outcome 3 – Air navigation infrastructure and associate systems are flexible, reliable, cost effective and secure.
FAA Performance Metric 2 – Maintain operational availability of the National Airspace System (NAS) at 99.7 percent through 2016.
Relationship to Performance Metric
The AFSFM program will directly contribute to the FAA’s Aviation Access goal by increasing operational availability and capabilities by providing facilities upgrades and addressing quality of life issues in existing Alaska Flight Services Facilities.
Program Plans FY 2014 – Performance Output Goals
These actions may be superseded if a higher priority need is entered into the Corporate Work Plan (CWP) prior to their beginning:
Decommission the old Cold Bay FSS building.
Refurbish/upgrade building interior (break room, pilot briefing room, rest rooms, etc) at Fairbanks FSS, Juneau FSS, Kenai FSS, Northway FSS, and Talkeetna FSS.
Program Plans FY 2015 – Performance Output Goals
These actions may be superseded if a higher priority need is entered into the CWP prior to their beginning: Decommission old Nome FSS building.
Refurbish/upgrade building interior (break room, pilot briefing room, rest rooms, etc) at Deadhorse FSS, Iliamna FSS, Palmer FSS, McGrath FSS, and Sitka FSS.
Refurbish equipment room and rest rooms at Ketchikan FSS. Program Plans FY 2016 – Performance Output Goals
These actions may be superseded if a higher priority need is entered into the CWP prior to their beginning: Decommission the old Kotzebue FSS building.
Refurbish/upgrade building interior (break room, pilot briefing room, rest rooms, etc) at Barrow FSS and Nome FSS.
Complete roof replacement at Fairbanks AFSS.
Complete refurbishment of the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) System at Juneau AFSS. Program Plans FY 2017 – Performance Output Goals
These actions may be superseded if a higher priority need is entered into the CWP prior to their beginning: Complete roof replacement at Kenai FSS.
Complete roof replacement at Juneau FSS.
Complete refurbishment of the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system at Talkeetna FSS. Program Plans FY 2018 – Performance Output Goals
These actions may be superseded if a higher priority need is entered into the CWP prior to their beginning: Complete roof replacement at Ketchikan FSS.
Complete roof replacement at Talkeetna FSS.
Complete refurbishment of the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system at Palmer FSS and Northway FSS.
2C04,W
EATHERC
AMERAP
ROGRAM FY 2014 Request $1.2MWeather Camera Program – Segment 1, M08.31-01 / X, Weather Camera Program –
Future Segments, M08.31-02
Program Description
The Weather Camera Program provides and installs cameras at airports and strategic enroute locations to provide pilots and flight service station specialists with real-time video weather information.
Between 1990 and 2006, there were 1497 commuter and air taxi crashes in the United States. Of these accidents, 520 occurred in Alaska (35% of the total). Historically, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has stated that on a national average, 22.6% of all accidents are in some way weather related. For the State of Alaska, this would translate into an average of 7.3 weather related accidents per year within the 1990-2006 time frames. Two of the Weather Camera Program’s, internal goals are to help reduce weather related accidents in Alaska. The first goal is to reduce the En Route or Approach and Landing Low visibility related accident rate per 100,000 operations for Non-IFR capable commercial and general aviation aircraft within the state of Alaska. The second goal is to reduce the number of unnecessary flight hours caused by lack of weather information.
In the state of Alaska, flying is equivalent to driving in the contiguous US, making the use of small aircraft essential to everyday life. Many times flying is the only means to get children to/from school activities; to transport service providers such as clergy, doctors, dentists, and nurses; to deliver patients to medical facilities; and to supply the communities with groceries, fuel, and mail. Even though flying is essential, the rapidly changing weather presents challenges that affect the accident rate in Alaska. FAA data indicates accident rates in Alaska have been nearly 400 percent above the national average.
Limited weather information in Alaska contributes to a higher risk of accidents and can result in flight inefficiencies. Without weather information about their destination airport and route of flight, pilots cannot make informed decisions on whether it is safe to fly or continue their flight. This can lead to accidents or unnecessary fuel costs, caused by the need to circumvent bad weather or, in some cases, to land at an alternate airport. The NTSB Safety Study: Aviation Safety in Alaska, November 1995, recommended that the FAA assist the National Weather Service (NWS) with an evaluation of the technical feasibility and aviation safety benefits of remote color video weather observing systems in Alaska. There is a need for pictorial views of current weather conditions accessible to the aviation community in Alaska, and the FAA Weather Camera Program has installed aviation weather cameras as an aid to Visual Flight Rule (VFR) pilots operating in Alaska.
The weather cameras are installed at airports and strategic en route locations, and provide pilots, dispatchers and flight service station specialists with enhanced situational awareness, preflight planning and en route weather briefing data. Images are updated every 10 minutes and stored for six hours to be used in a loop function for weather trending analysis by pilots. These images are made available through a user-friendly, web-enabled application: http://avcams.faa.gov. In addition to improving aviation safety benefits, the cameras improve operator efficiency by reducing unnecessary flight time caused by weather-related in-flight interruptions. Over the life cycle of the Weather Camera Program, this saves millions of dollars of fuel expenses and reduces the overall carbon footprint. To date, and according to the Post Implementation Review, the Weather Camera Program is exceeding its expected performance metrics in Alaska by reducing weather-related aviation accidents from 0.28 accidents per 100,000 operations to 0.13 accidents (53% reduction) and by improving aviation efficiency in flight time and fuel savings by 63%. This data justifies the continued installation of weather camera sites to provide near-real-time weather images to pilots.
Weather Camera Program – Segment 1 (M08.31-01):
The program funds procurement and installation of weather camera sites in Alaska. Segment 1 of this program is intended to fund the implementation of 221 camera sites through FY 2014.
Weather Camera Program – Future Segments (M08.31-02):
The Future Segments program funds the renovation and/or rebuilding of structures that house the camera systems and replacement of the equipment that allows the transmission of weather images to FAA facilities. Some of these facilities are located in high mountain passes. They are powered by solar/wind power plants and use satellite communications to transfer data. These sites must be refurbished periodically due to extreme high altitude conditions. This is an ongoing need due to the effects of severe weather in Alaska on these sites. The program will also replace the legacy system server in Anchorage and allow the periodic replacement of failing camera systems and other necessary site improvements at remote locations through 2017.
Alignment of Program to FAA Strategic Goal, Outcome, and Performance Metric
FAA Strategic Goal 1 – Next Level of Safety. FAA Outcome 3 – There is a reduction the general aviation fatal accident rate.
FAA Performance Metric 1 – Reduce general aviation fatal accident rate to no more than 1 fatal accident per 100,000 flight hours by 2018.
Relationship to Performance Metric
The FAA will continue to enhance aviation safety throughout the state of Alaska by supplying visual meteorological information to pilots and expanding the use of weather cameras. The FAA’s Alaska region has established a supporting safety goal/metric for this effort, and it is to reduce weather related accidents from the baseline level of 0.28 to no more than 0.15 accidents per 100,000 operations within the State of Alaska.
Program Plans FY 2014 – Performance Output Goals Weather Camera Program – Segment 1 (M08.31-01):
Complete the installation and make operational the final six camera sites for a total of 221 sites by September 30, 2014. (APB milestone)
Conduct implementation closeout activities.
Weather Camera Program – Future Segment (M08.31-02): None.
Program Plans FY 2015 – Performance Output Goals Weather Camera Program – Segment 1 (M08.31-01): None.
Weather Camera Program – Future Segment (M08.31-02):
Replace the Camera System Central Server at the Anchorage Regional Operations Center (ROC). Replace legacy and failing cameras/routers at five sites.
Program Plans FY 2016 – Performance Output Goals Weather Camera Program – Segment 1 (M08.31-01): None.
Weather Camera Program – Future Segment (M08.31-02): Replace legacy and failing cameras/routers at five sites.
Refurbish or Relocate mountain pass high-sites at: Merrill Pass High and Merrill Pass Low. Program Plans FY 2017 – Performance Output Goals
Weather Camera Program – Segment 1 (M08.31-01): None.
Weather Camera Program – Future Segment (M08.31-02): Replace legacy and failing cameras/routers at five sites.
Refurbish mountain pass high-sites at: Lake Clark Pass East, Lake Clark Pass West and Misty Fiords. Program Plans FY 2018 – Performance Output Goals
Weather Camera Program – Segment 1 (M08.31-01): None.
Weather Camera Program – Future Segment (M08.31-02): Replace legacy and failing cameras/routers at five sites.
Refurbish remote powered camera sites: Grave Point, Cape Fanshaw, Skwentna and Summit.