But Challenges In Delivering NextGen Capabilities Remain

In a report requested by the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations, the DOT Inspector General says that while the FAA has completed the Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS) at 11 large terminal radar approach control (TRACON) air traffic facilities, the agency has experienced challenges in transitioning from the legacy system to STARS.

STARS is critical to achieving the expected benefits of the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen), including enhanced capacity and reduced delays. STARS program risks, if not mitigated, could impact the long-term viability of NextGen. For these reasons, the House Appropriations Committee directed the IG's office to provide an update on FAA’s progress in implementing STARS at the 11 large TRACONs and determine how the effort will support NextGen capabilities.

According to the IG, despite having a detailed management plan for new STARS requirements, the FAA could not sufficiently document how new requirements were validated or prioritized. The IG office review also identified that FAA’s installation of STARS power systems do not comply with the Agency’s safety regulations and industry standards.

STARS supports several new NextGen capabilities at some of the 11 TRACONs, such as displaying ADS-B information for controllers. However, it does not yet fully support other capabilities that materially impact air traffic management, such as sequencing and spacing tools for controllers that facilitate the use of new performance-based navigation procedures. FAA is planning to establish a new phase of terminal automation to further address NextGen capabilities.

According to the report, the FAA concurred with three of recommendations made by the IG's office to improve implementation of STARS requirements and NextGen capabilities and partially concurred with one. Based on FAA’s response, The IG says all the recommendations are considered resolved and open pending completion of planned actions..

Recommendations Closed:

• Finalize a timeline for identifying the remaining STARS requirements, including the additional requirements for the post-implementation enhancements
• Implement a process in the FAA Requirements Management Plan to track and document when and how new requirements are validated and prioritized.
• Redesign the power supply configuration of STARS rack assemblies to eliminate series connected power strips in the next STARS technical refresh of the 11 TRACONs.
• Resolve the electrical configuration issue of the STARS rack assemblies at each of the 11 TRACONs by either: (a) obtaining approval for the configuration from a nationally recognized testing laboratory or (b) assessing and documenting risks posed by the STARS rack assemblies installed at each of the 11 facilities and FAA's acceptance of that risk on air traffic operations.

(Source: DOT IG news release. Image from file)

FMI: www.oig.dot.gov/library-item/36240