The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) completed a workstream on schedule at Newark Liberty Airport.
The FAA established internal workstreams to address specific challenges and gaps to support Innovate28, an initiative aimed at achieving integrated Advanced Air Mobility operations by 2028.
The FAA successfully transitioned to a new fiber optic communications network between New York and the Philadelphia Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) on July 3. The system directs aircraft into and out of Newark. Fiber was laid and tested in June.
The system has fiber optic connections on two separate communications paths. This ensures equipment will continue to operate if one path is disrupted.
“The work we’ve accomplished will help reduce delays and cancellations,” Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau said. “We completed this upgrade as planned and we’re diligently working on additional initiatives to further strengthen the Newark communications network.”
Other FAA workstreams related to Newark include:
The Philadelphia TRACON area directing aircraft in and out of Newark has 22 fully certified controllers and five fully certified supervisors. The FAA plans to increase staff. Twenty-five controllers and supervisors are in training.
STARS, an automation system that displays real-time radar data, flight information and tracking tools to help controllers safely and efficiently sequence aircraft, is being installed.