ASDI Providers Brief FAA
Washington, DC, August 19, 1998 - At a meeting today at the Federal Aviation Administration's
(FAA) Air Route Traffic Service Command Center in Virginia, Aircraft Situational Display Information
(ASDI) providers gave demonstrations to the FAA on how each company uses the data derived
from FAA tracking radars. In addition, three of the ASDI providers agreed to the National
Business Aviation Association (NBAA) voluntary Code of Conduct to ensure the security of display
of detailed corporate aircraft information.
ASDI provides many benefits to airlines, aviation service industries such as Fixed Base Operators
(FBOs), ground transportation and catering companies. "The use of these data can greatly
increase operational efficiency, prevent aircraft delays and diversions and save time,"
said NBAA President Jack Olcott. "It is important for collaborative decision making and
system efficiency. However, we are concerned that the misuse of these data may impact security."
Because NBAA Member Companies have expressed concern about security issues related to ASDI,
the Association has established the Blocked Aircraft Registration Request (BARR) program in
which ASDI providers block the tail numbers of aircraft requested by companies. The FAA indicated
a willingness to respond to the concerns of NBAA Members.
"Three ASDI providers -- RLM Software, Flyte Comm of Florida and SkySource -- have agreed
to NBAA's voluntary Code of Conduct," noted Olcott. "We will continue the dialogue
with other ASDI providers in order to reach a suitable resolution."
NBAA represents the aviation interests of over 5,600 companies which own or operate general
aviation aircraft as an aid to the conduct of their business, or are involved with business
aviation. NBAA Member Companies earn annual revenues in excess of $4 trillion –a number
that is about half the gross domestic product –and employ more than 19 million people
worldwide. The NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention is the world’s largest display of
civil aviation products and services.
| 
