scope:

Foreword

This report was prepared as an update to the earlier document entitled Free Flight Action Plan published by RTCA on August 15, 1996. It is intended to provide the current status of free flight initiatives as compiled by the RTCA Free Flight Steering Committee. The Free Flight Steering Committee was formed under the auspices of RTCA, Inc. at the request of the FAA and in response to the Final Report of RTCA Task Force 3, Free Flight Implementation.

The objectives of the Free Flight Steering Committee are:

• To establish an agreed-to implementation strategy and milestones;

• To periodically review government and industry progress in meeting implementation commitments, via the use of appropriate metrics; and

• To identify new free flight implementation opportunities as well as events/situations that are inhibiting progress and review actions that are taken.

As a private, not-for-profit corporation, RTCA, Inc. addresses operational concepts, requirements, and industry standards for aviation. The organization's mission is to advance the art and science of aviation, and aviation electronic systems, for the benefit of the public. Volunteers from the entire aviation community help develop RTCA products. These products include consensus-based recommendations addressing the implementation of new operational capabilities, performance standards, as well as technical guidance documents and special topic reports that focus on the application of electronics technology to meet the aviation community's needs. RTCA conducts essentially all its work while functioning as a Federal Advisory Committee.