FAA details air traffic control system upgrades made in 2015

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently released further details about the most notable progress it has made in streamlining, modernizing and improving the U.S. air traffic control system in 2015.

The FAA also has been planning to create safety guidelines for small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), or drones. These new devices will continue to have an increasing role in the U.S. aviation industry.

As part of its modernization improvements, the FAA exchanged its old computer system with a new core technology system, called En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM), now part of the FAA’s network that operates all of the high-altitude air traffic control centers. With ERAM, the FAA will be able to better manage the safety of its NextGen Air Transportation System because ERAM can track, as well as display, twice as many flights to controllers.

The FAA has worked hard to guarantee that pilots operating drones can enjoy their devices without compromising anyone’s safety. In addition, the organization of its user-friendly, web-based, streamlined aircraft registration process has been improved. Now registration is more accessible to UAS owners and operators. All drones are required to be registered as of December 21, 2015.