ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of the historic events leading up to and through die development of Communication, Navigation, Surveillance - Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) systems and describes the CNS/ATM system elements and expected benefits. The decision of the Council was to establish the Special Committee on Future Air Navigation Systems (FANS). The FANS Committee determined that it would be necessary to develop new systems that would overcome limitations and allow air traffic management (ATM) to develop on a global scale. The regular use of data transmission for ATM purposes will introduce many changes in the way that communication between air and ground takes place, and at the same time offer many possibilities and opportunities. Furthermore, many remote areas that are inaccessible to most general aviation aircraft because of their inability to communicate or safely navigate over them would become more accessible thanks to satellite communications, navigation and surveillance.
