Future Aviation Surveillance Services and Technologies in Switzerland (FASST-CH)

In a nutshell

• FOCA wants to increase airspace users’ electronic visibility (e-conspicuity) in order to enhance safety

• FASST-CH mandate: define a roadmap for airspace surveillance services and supporting technologies by 2035

• The implementation contemplates in a first phase an i-conspicuity ecosystem by 2028: mandatory e-conspicuity in class E airspace, promotion of e-conspicuity for airspace users through existing and new technologies, and the establishment of ground infrastructure

• Looking ahead, a fully connected airspace is foreseen by 2035 where real time data will be available to users and airspace surveillance.

The principle of ‘See, sense and avoid": The Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) wants to improve the e-conspicuity of aircraft in Swiss airspace, with the aim of reducing dangerous encounters and laying the foundations for the digitalisation and optimisation of the airspace.

The Future Aviation Surveillance Services and Technologies in Switzerland (FASST-CH), was set up in order to describe, in the form of a roadmap, the future of surveillance (SUR) services and identify supporting technologies, aligned with the AVISTRAT-CH strategy and initiatives for 2035. FASST-CH, which involves regularly a large panel of stakeholders, will also deal with alternative solutions to the transponder to support a national mandate in class E airspace. Also, the search for synergies and alignment with existing international initiatives is essential and will increase the benefits for stakeholders while minimizing the efforts.

The three projet phases

Click on the chosen phase to get specific information :

• E-Conspicuity (electronic conspicuity), is an umbrella term for a range of technologies that can help pilots to be more aware of other aircraft in the same airspace. Being e-conspicuous can be seen as an effective safety measure.

• i-conspicuity, which stands for interoperable conspicuity, refers to the capability of different e-conspicuity systems to seamlessly communicate with one another, allowing all aircraft equipped with such systems to be electronically visible to each other regardless of the specific technology they use.
  

Last modification 24.04.2025