In the field of air traffic management, air traffic controllers are the operators responsible for supervising and managing traffic in a given airspace to ensure flight safety. In the same airspace, commercial flights, which encompass most of the flights performed by airlines, and what is called general aviation, such as light aircraft and helicopters, can fly at the same time. Commercial and general aviation usually fly at different altitudes (called “flight levels”). Low flight levels are occupied by light aircraft and high flight levels by commercial aircraft.

Air Traffic Management acceleration program (1st edition) In commercial aviation, the pilot flies using instruments and technical equipment following a predefined route, and separation between aircraft is ensured by air traffic controllers. In general aviation, the pilot navigates using his eyesight and other visual navigation instruments such as maps, ground landmarks and the position of the sun (visual flight) and does not necessarily follow a fixed, predefined route and may adjust his trajectory as necessary to avoid obstacles or adverse weather conditions. The air traffic controller is generally not responsible for maintaining visual flight separation, but must provide basic air traffic services, such as weather information, information on nearby air traffic, and warnings of hazards in the flight area. All of this can result in an overload for air traffic controllers that can undermine the information service offered to general aviation.

The challenge is to offer solutions to both aircraft and air traffic controllers to automate and/or digitize some of the air traffic services that general aviation requires without compromising safety.