Section 1. General Information

1. GENERAL

Since the inception of ATC, there has been some method of recording the volume of air traffic activity. OPSNET is the official data reporting system as per FAA Order JO 7210.55, Operational Data Reporting Requirements. All air traffic facilities, except FSSs, must report traffic count information daily through OPSNET.

The FAA collects and analyzes these data to make decisions on, but not limited to, budgeting, forecasting, planning, programming new equipment, public dissemination, and historical analysis. Because of its broad application and national use, it is imperative the gathering of data be both standardized and accurate. Two basic requirements must be met for an operation count: the facility must be responsible for providing service to the aircraft, and the service provided must qualify using the guidelines established throughout the remainder of this chapter. Air traffic managers must ensure that the intent of the provisions in this chapter is fulfilled.

1. COUNTING METHODS

Traffic counts may be counted either manually or through the use of nationally deployed automated counting programs (i.e., CountOps). The accuracy of automated counts must be validated annually to be within plus/minus 3 percent of the actual traffic count. Annual validation of traffic counts for other purposes such as “classification” meets this requirement.

1. QUESTIONS OR CHANGES

Any questions as to how an operation should be counted or recommendations for changes to procedures should be forwarded to the appropriate service area for resolution. Service areas will forward their questions or recommendations to the appropriate service unit.

1. SUMMARY OF STATISTICAL REPORTS AND FORMS

The table below provides a quick reference for reporting requirements in this chapter. The OPSNET system provides the ability to input the required data as described below. (See TBL 13-1-1.)

1. CATEGORIES OF OPERATIONS

1. All itinerant and overflight operations are reported in the following categories:

1. Air Carrier: Operations by aircraft identified in Appendix 3, Air Carrier for Air Traffic Activity Operations Count, which use three‐letter company designators.
2. Air Taxi: Operations by aircraft other than those identified in Appendix 3 which use three-letter company designators or the prefix “T" (TANGO) or “L" (MEDEVAC).

1. Military: All classes of military operations.
2. General Aviation: Civil operations not classified as air carrier or air taxi.

1. All local operations are reported in the following categories:

1. Civil: All civilian operations, including local flights by air carrier and air taxi aircraft.
2. Military: All classes of military operations.