ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the functional operation of an air transportation system (ATS) with emphasis on the transfer of information between functions and the monitoring and decision-making by the functions. The description attempts to use generic terminology and describe the functions independent of the technology and systems used in a specific instantiation. The inputs to the system are daily schedules and flight plans for flights, and the daily availability of time slots at key traffic flow nodes of the systems. The system is characterized by the coordination of the flow of flights to achieve system objectives of: safety and efficiency. The objectives of the ATS are to ensure simultaneous safe and efficient flow of flights from origin airports to destination airports. The building blocks of the ATS are a set of infrastructure: airports, airspace, surveillance function, communications function, navigation function, and air traffic control/management function.
