FASST-CH requires a large amount of validation activities and presents numerous opportunities for improvement, discovery, and advancement.
Validation activities are planned particularly from Winter 2025/2026 to Summer 2026. Nonetheless, the further progress and implementation of the FASST-CH ecosystem, as well as the full exploitation of its potential depend largely on inputs and projects from external parties outside of the FOCA.
Stakeholders are therefore invited to propose their own research and development projects as part of this initiative.
The following non-exhaustive list includes topics and areas of particular interest to FASST-CH for research and development projects. Nonetheless, applications and ideas from stakeholders are welcome in any related domain.
- Development and validation of airborne pilot supporting tools (antennas, receivers, displays…) capable of receiving and handling all types of e-conspicuity data (air to air complemented by air to ground / recommended protocols and frequency bands possibly including those currently used during the transition period). A particular focus on how such tools could be developed using existing hardware is welcomed.
- Composition of comprehensive traffic picture - Research and development could focus on aggregating and harmonizing traffic information from diverse protocols (e.g., ADS-B, ADS-L, Mode S) and diverse sources into a single, coherent traffic picture usable across certified and non-certified platforms. This would involve designing robust fusion algorithms, addressing latency and synchronization challenges, and ensuring data quality and plausibility for operational and safety-critical applications. The outcome of such research could be used either on the ground or in the air in the pilot supporting tools mentioned in the preceding point.
- Ground stations for traffic uplink - Ground stations can receive traffic data on multiple protocols, consolidate the data and re-broadcast it for aerial use. Currently, the general aviation community operates hundreds of ground-based traffic data receivers. This data is already used to some extent but is not re-broadcasted. To enable the aerial use of all this data, ground-based ADS-L transmitters will be needed. For more information, refer to the page “Technology Recommendation for ground-based transceivers”. Ground antenna projects may also address the testing of UAT 978 MHz, however, please contact the FASST-CH team for information and coordination.
- FIS-B - Projects could address the ADS-L uplink of FIS-B contents, such as weather, HX airspace, NOTAM / DABS, etc.
- Data security, integrity and plausibility - This topic is especially important for more demanding future applications, such as traffic data use by air traffic control, safety assessments or collision risk modelling.
- Human factors and e-conspicuity - Studies on human factors in relation to e-conspicuity in general or a comparison of see-and-avoid success rates prior to e-conspicuity traffic uplinks, during and after introduction, would be very useful for evidence-based decisions for pilots, as well as for civil aviation authorities and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
- Monitoring of e-conspicuity - The use of e-conspicuity should be monitored to learn about traffic equipage and performance of e-conspicuity devices, from traffic behaviors, traffic heat maps and various other analyses.
- e-conspicuity traffic data for IFR flights (EFB and/or integration into certified avionics) - Research could explore the usage of e-conspicuity data (certified and non-certified) into IFR flights, either on an EFB or integrated into certified avionic systems. The project should investigate the potential usage of the data (and associated limitations) depending on where it is integrated.
- e-conspicuity traffic data use for effective threat and error management (TEM), for example at airport briefing rooms for Part-NCC air crews
Funding opportunities
Interested parties might be eligible for funding through different programmes and initiatives. For example, the “Spezialfinanzierung Luftverkehr” from FOCA supports projects in the three application areas of environment, safety and security. The multiannual program for 2024 – 2027 (SFLV Mehrjahresprogramm) sets priorities for content, maximum subsidy rates and medium-term financial planning. Chapters 6.3.1 and 6.3.2 should be consulted by applicants considering projects related to FASST-CH.
Interested organisations and individuals may use the standard SFLV application forms to request funding. For details on the application forms and processes, please refer to the SFLV website.
Other funding and financial support programmes are available in Switzerland.
