Collaborative FAA/NWS Research-to-Operations Enhancements

To support FAA operations and the safety of flight, the AWC has long provided aviation relative weather forecasts to aid the aviation community. The FAA Aviation Weather Research Program continually funds the development and improvement of aviation weather hazard guidance. Through this program, the FAA transitions these technologies into the NWS to continue the mission of improving aviation safety and efficiency. However, coordination and planning between development and operations can be challenging, slowing down the process to improve operational capabilities in the NWS to support the FAA. This is due to the multiple components and offices involved in transition.

Though external review has documented the long history of successful research to operations transitions jointly supported by the FAA and AWC, the two have further improved transition efficiency by enhancing the joint research-to-operations process. Through this process, the agencies seek to fully utilize the AWC’s Aviation Weather Testbed to identify and improve shortcomings that can negatively impact the transition process. This renewed collaboration and process is demonstrated here, initially, with the transition of an improved in-flight icing forecast capability, to support the Alaska Aviation Weather Unit. Key to the change is engaging development, transition, and operational parties earlier, and keeping them engaged throughout the process to ensure an efficient operational transition of new capabilities. This engagement is essential for all current and future research-to-operation activities.