Aviation industry holds summit on 'network in the sky

The international aviation industry is gathering in London today to hear the latest on the "Internet in the sky," a satellite-based network which will replace radio-based communications between pilot and ground control.
Experts from the UK's National Air Traffic Services and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will provide the initial details on trials of the Aeronautical Telecommunications Network (ATN).
The FAA is conducting trials in Miami, which it plans to turn into a live system by 2002, with full roll-out across the US due soon after. Every air traffic controller will have to be trained to use the new system.
Martin Cole, speaking for the US trade union for air traffic controllers, NATCA, said the FAA is in the process of developing CD-ROM-based training manuals and simulation laboratories for ATN in Miami.
"We were delayed by a national project upgrading our green screens with Sony colour monitors, so we are still assessing interface options," he told Silicon.com, "But behind the screens, the technology is pretty much working, and controllers are giving feedback on the CD-ROM this week."