The CNS/ATM Focused Team (C/AFT) is an informal forum, which gathers economic, technical, and operational data that is useful in developing common analytical methodologies. Both the data and methodologies are made available for use by formally established advisory and decision-making bodies throughout the aviation community responsible for Communications, Navigation, Surveillance/Air Traffic Management planning and investment.
The C/AFT is led by the airline industry and is comprised of experts and senior representatives of the airlines, air traffic service providers, government agencies, and representatives of the aircraft industry. The common data and methodologies developed by the C/AFT are widely disseminated and available for use across the aviation community, thereby facilitating greater cooperation and mutual understanding, which facilitates the development of better solutions.
Through informal discussions, the airlines, service providers, and aircraft manufacturers share their respective objectives and constraints. The airlines define their needs in terms of business and economic objectives and metrics, thereby allowing potential solutions to be evaluated based on business efficacy. Service providers define system level design goals, technical and program interdependencies, and financial constraints. Aircraft manufacturers provide airframe and equipment cost and operational considerations for new and existing aircraft. All parties are better able to consider global harmonization and the international implications of investment, transition, and implementation. Through these discussions, the C/AFT produces improved, mutually workable approaches to problems based on shared insight and understanding.
The C/AFT Core Group oversees the work currently conducted within the following focus groups: Operations Analysis Focus Group (OAFG); Integrated Solutions Focus Group (ISFG); Financial Performance Focus Group (FPFG). The goals of each focus group are found on their respective web pages.