Airborne Position Reference Tools (APRT)
APRT Displays Are Not Currently Approved For Use In The NAS
Airborne Position Reference Tools (APRTs) are supplemental surveillance tools for increasing airborne situational awareness. They are intended for use in air traffic control towers that are staffed by non-federally employed controllers and not equipped with Standard Terminal Automation Replacement Systems (STARS).
The FAA does not operate every Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) in the National Airspace System (NAS). Some towers are staffed by non-federally employed controllers, either via the FAA Contract Tower (FCT) program, or with non-federal funding. A number of these “non-FAA” towers do not have a Certified Tower Radar Display (i.e., STARS). Without radar data the controllers at those towers must rely on their own visual observations, and their radio communications with pilots. Many of these towers desire a tool that supplements situational awareness by providing controllers with a digital picture of their airspace.
APRTs may only be used to supplement controllers’ visual observations, and their radio communications with pilots. APRTs may not be used as the basis for maintaining separation between aircraft and they may not connect to FAA networks and/or FAA equipment.
The FAA is not conducting an acquisition for APRTs. Once the system(s) / service(s) are approved, the FAA will add them to the list of FAA Approved Products for Non-federal Use. They will then be available for purchase and operation by non-federal entities (e.g., airport authorities). Multiple vendors’ systems / services may be approved for non-federal use.
The Advanced Systems Design Service (ASDS) Team is opening the Intake Phase of the APRT System Design Approval (SDA) Process on April 7, 2025 for all interested applicants. The FAA will begin reviewing submittals in late April 2025. Upon approval, the ASDS Team will add approved systems to the FAA’s list of approved non-federal systems for purchase.
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APRT Certificate of Compliance
APRT System Design Approval (SDA): An Overview
Situational Awareness Display Memo
All applicants interested in being assessed during the FAA’s initial wave of evaluations must submit the requested Intake Phase deliverables beginning on April 7, 2025 and ending on April 25, 2025. Applicants submitting later than this date will be assessed as resources allow after the initial set of evaluations is complete.
The APRT Intake Phase deliverables (See page 2 of APRT System Design Approval (SDA): An Overview) are as follows:
- A draft APRT Certificate of Compliance (See Reference Material section, above)
- A completed Non-federal APRT Project Intake Form (See Reference Material section, above)
- Compliance with FAA’s minimal functional and performance requirements (Listed in Appendix A of APRT System Design Approval (SDA): An Overview) via a traceability matrix or equivalent
-- Identify any deviations/waivers to the requirements (Subject to approval)
Please submit all deliverables to Non-Federal-Program@faa.gov for initial evaluation. If accepted, applicants will be prioritized based on system maturity, availability of requested deliverables, sponsor interest, and how well the applicant's solution address the end users' need.