Embedded Avionics

Eurocontrol, FAA Lay out Plans for New Flight Digital Information Exchange

By Juliet Van Wagenen | October 6, 2016
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[Avionics Magazine 10-06-2016] Eurocontrol has released details on the Flight Information Exchange Model (FIXM) for the sharing of flight data, like its sisters Aviation Information Exchange Model (AIXM) and Weather Information Exchange Model (WXXM). FIXM aims to become the principal standard for making information about flights available to all systems and air traffic stakeholders, allowing authorized system stakeholders and Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) to exchange electronically consistent flight data tailored to their specific needs.

FIXM is a transatlantic partnership between the FAA and Eurocontrol, with the FAA the driving force behind this model, which has been developed in collaboration with Eurocontrol, ANSPs, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and industry partners via the Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR) program.

On Aug. 31, FAA  and Eurocontrol released Version 4.0.0, the very first FIXM version to be developed in accordance with a rigorous change management process whereby change proposals to FIXM are formally documented and consolidated by FIXM stakeholders, and finally endorsed by the FIXM governance. A key aspect to the new version is renewed focus on global applicability and a fine-tuned scope.

As next steps, Eurocontrol and the FAA expect FIXM to evolve over the period 2016 to 2018 in order to ensure full alignment with the ICAO requirements for FF-ICE Block 1.

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