Aligning NextGen Operational Improvements

In support of an overall effort to coordinate agency plans with the JPDO’s NextGen architecture, the JPDO and the FAA have completed an effort to align mid-term and far-term Operational Improvements (OIs).  Fifty-one Integrated Work Plan (IWP) OIs were addressed during this effort.  At the completion of the activity, we agreed on common definitions for the IWP and FAA’s National Airspace System (NAS) architecture for 49 of the 51 OIs. Work will continue to resolve the differences for the remaining two OIs. This alignment will be reflected in the next version of the IWP scheduled to be released October 1, 2009.

The next step in the process between the FAA and JPDO will be to address the IWP Enabler elements that have the FAA as the Suggested Office of Primary Responsibility.  A similar approach will be used for this activity. Fundamentally, that involves bringing together the relevant subject matter experts from the FAA and the JPDO’s Working Groups to address and resolve identified differences among the Enabler elements.

Edgar Waggoner, D.Sc.
JPDO Director, Interagency Architecture and Engineering Division

JPDO Presents NextGen at National Institute of Aerospace Workshop

I recently presented the NextGen story to the Virginia NextGen Working Group as part of a full-day workshop at the National Institute of Aerospace.  This group is keenly interested in technologies where the Commonwealth could be an early adaptor and that would have a positive economic impact.  The focus of the presentation was on the technologies that underpin the NextGen vision.  The Working Group is made up of State and local officials and business leaders who have a stake in NextGen.  Bruce Hoogstraten, Chairman of the Governor’s Aerospace Advisory Council, and Randy Burdette, Director of the Virginia Department of Aviation, are key State officials involved in this endeavor. Post workshop activities will include prioritizing a suite of 15 technologies around criteria such as economic impact, implementation readiness, and research opportunities.

Ed Waggoner
JPDO Director, Interagency Architecture and Engineering Division

Configuration Management for Key JPDO Documents

Some of the key foundational documents that have been published by the JPDO over the past year are coming under a structured Configuration Management (CM) process. Once a proposed change or comment to one of the documents has been submitted, it enters the CM process.  The potential change is assigned to a reviewer who determines impact, extent, and issues that would result from the proposed change and proposes an initial resolution to the Change Control Board (CCB).  The CCB then adjudicates the proposed change and decides on a disposition for the proposal. If the disposition results in a change being accepted, the change is implemented and verified, and subsequently published in the next release/update of the document.  Some of the items that are anticipated to be under the new CM process include:

• Any Element in the JPE (ConOps, EA, and IWP)
• Joint Planning Framework (i.e., the metamodel)
• Approved CM Plan and CCB Charter

Other items will be included as appropriate.  For more detailed information on the CM process including the CM Plan and CCB Charter, go here (you’ll need access to KSN) under the Deliverables library.

Edgar G. Waggoner, D.Sc.
JPDO Director, Interagency Architecture and Engineering Division

National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) Meeting

JPDO will be participating in tomorrow’s monthly meeting of the NSCT’s Aeronautics Science and Technology Subcommittee (look here for more information). Ed Waggoner, Director of JPDO’s Interagency Architecture and Engineering Division (IAED) has co-chaired the Subcommittee’s Mobility Coordinating Group from its inception. Other JPDO leaders have also been involved, including FAA’s Lourdes Maurice, co-chair of the Subcommittee’s Energy and Environment Coordinating Group. This participation has ensured that the NSTC’s National Plan for Aeronautics R&D and Related Infrastructure, and the recently released Technical Appendix, fully align with the R&D needs of NextGen.

Bob Pearce
JPDO Deputy Director