National Airspace System Aviation Weather Subsystem Design

The Federal Aviation Agency is developing the aviation weather system, as part of the National Airspace System, to satisfy the common requirements of civil and military aviation for operational weather support. Elements of the design have been and are continuing to be coordinated with the Department of Defense and the Department of Commerce. This report is a detailed summary of an aviation weather system designed to support the goals of the National Airspace System. Due consideration has been given to the economic and political constraints imposed by the system's environment, the benefits accruing from a common system for all users, and the necessity for implementing system improvements in a practical, orderly manner. The service to be provided to the system users, Air Traffic Control, pilots, and military and private flight operations, is described. The system design, concepts and requirements are stated and the overall operation outlined. Then the system is divided into four subsystems - Observing, Processing, Presenting, and Communications - for detailed consideration of the elements making up the aviation weather system. (Author).