Setting Acceptable Levels of Safety for the National Airspace System

Abstract

The FAA is engaged in a major effort to safely reduce the vertical separation standard to 1,000 feet between aircraft flying above 29,000 feet and to develop system performance requirements which, if met, will ensure safe operation of the National Airspace System. To accomplish this we are proposing an overall program structure of defining risk/safety criteria, a risk assessment program, and a risk management program. Included in this effort is an extensive in situ data collection effort. Hopefully, the conclusion of this effort will result in providing to management the quantitative decision tools and information necessary to (1) make the decision for the safe reduction of the vertical separation standard and (2) to implement changes to the National Airspace System to support new separation procedures.