INFORMATION MANAGEMENT STUDY GROUP (AIS-AIMSG) FIRST MEETING Montréal, 2 to 4 December 2008
Agenda Item
8:
Guidance material
8.4:
Training
TRAINING REQUIRED FOR AIM STAFF IN RELATION WITH AIXM (Presented by Paul Bosman and Gregory Pray)
SUMMARY
This Information Paper presents the expected training needs for AIM personnel, following the adoption of ICAO SARPS for a standard conceptual and data exchange model, based on AIXM. As a high level principle, training for AIM staff is only necessary in the conceptual model area, where they need to be aware of the list of features covered by the model and they key attributes. Software tools will be in charge of receiving, converting, storing, distributing the data according to the standard data exchange model. Training in this area is necessary for the developers of these tools, which are expected to be on the industry side.
Introduction
Moving from AIS to AIM requires moving from manual processes and paper based products and services towards automated data processing and digital services. This implies the use of software tools and aeronautical information databases for the execution of the tasks that are in the charge of the future AIM staff.
The new skills required for the AIM staff will include, to a large extent, basic information technology skills, such as:
knowing how to operate a computer operating under one of the major operating systems (Windows, Unix, Linux, Macintosh);
being able to use common text and graphical editing software; etc.
understanding the communication and information search capabilities offered by Internet (e-mail, World Wide Web, etc.);
On top of these basic computer skills, the implementation of a common ICAO Conceptual Model and Data Exchange Specification require some specific skills.
AICM/AIXM training needs
It is proposed (through AIS-AIMSG/1-SN/11) that the Aeronautical Information Exchange Model (AIXM) version 5 is used for the development of the new ICAO SARPS related to a standard Conceptual Model and Data Exchange Specification. This will provide:
A Conceptual Model documented as UML classes, containing diagrams and definitions; and
A Data Exchange Specification in the form of an XML Schema.
AICM training needs
In order to identify the AICM related training needs, the simplest approach is to look at an example. Below is a sample from a typical AICM UML diagram:
Understanding the AICM model requires first of all to be aware of a few basic UML conventions, such as:
that an aeronautical feature is modelled as an “UML class”, which is represented as a box with a name (ex. “AirportHeliport”) on the diagram;
each class has a definition, which does not appear in the diagram, but is provided in a separate report. Most of these definitions are drawn from the existing ICAO documents. For example, an AirportHeliport is defined as “A defined area on land or water (including any buildings, installations and equipment) intended to be used either wholly or in part for the arrival, departure and surface movement of aircraft/helicopters.”.
that an aeronautical feature may have “properties” (such as the name of the Airport/Heliport); most of these properties are simple attributes of the feature and are represented as names inside the box that represents the class (for example: “designator”, “name”, “locationIndicatorICAO”, etc.
some properties are complex and are then represented by a separate class (box), which is linked with special line on the diagram. For example, the “contact” data information for an Airport/Heliport is such a complex property, modelled in the ContactInformation box. It could be a postal address, a phone number, an AFTN address, etc.
that an aeronautical feature may have relationships with other features, such as a runway which is located at an airport. These are represented with special lines on the diagrams.
Once these basic UML conventions and notations are mastered, the second level of the AICM training is to be aware of actual content of the model:
be aware of what the model represents as a feature. Most are obvious, tangible things from the real world, such as a runway, a navaid, an obstacle, etc. Some are intangible concepts, such as airspaces, routes, instrument approach procedures, etc.
be aware of what the model represents as attributes and associations between these features.
be aware of “business rules” that range from limiting the choice for the values of a property (for example, 4 letters for an ICAO designator) to more complex rules, expressed as textual constraints (for example, that the Take-Off Run Available (TORA) cannot exceed the physical length of a runway.
Learning the basic UML skills and the content of the AICM model can be achieved either through physical participation in training courses or through computer based trainings.
AICM classes
Material for AICM training classes is partially available on the www.aixm.aero Web site, from the workshops and classes that have been run by EUROCONTROL and FAA in the past. It is estimated that developing a complete set of AICM training material, starting from what exists already, would require one person year of effort. EUROCONTROL and FAA are likely to support to a large extent this effort, as the material is anyhow needed for internal trainings.
Once finalised, this training material could be offered to the regional ICAO training sites, together with a centralised training for the regional trainers themselves.
Following the initial “train the trainers” action, a typical AICM training class for AIS staff would take between 10-20 days, depending on the information technology skills of the students. The only prerequisite is a fair understanding of the basics of air navigation and airport operations, which most AIS staff already have.
On-line training
The concept of computer based trainings has been successfully applied by EUROCONTROL to previous AICM versions. A free Web based training for AICM version 4.5 is available globally through the EUROCONTROL Institute for Air Navigation Services (http://elearning.eurocontrol.int/reports/registration.asp). The training can be used both on-line and off-line and requires around 20 hours to complete, as it covers the key aspects of the model only.
Below is a typical screenshot from this training
This training is used by both AIS staff who need to understand how the AICM model describes the aeronautical data and by software developers that need to have a basic understanding of the aeronautical data.
EUROCONTROL plans to update this training to support version 5 of the model. The first step is the creation of an “AIXM Wiki”, which will become soon available through the www.aixm.aero Web site. Below is a screenshot of a draft AIXM Wiki article.
Another on-line resource is the AIXM Forum (https://www.aixm.aero/agor_live/agor/
LogonInit.do?forumUuid=AIXM) and which currently has more than 700 members, both AIS/AIM staff and industry developers, from all over the World. The Forum is typically used for asking questions and sharing experience related to the implementation of AIXM.
The Wiki and the Forum are important for the maintenance and further enhancement of the AICM skills acquired after the initial training.
Conclusion
In conclusion, AICM training material is already available and work is in progress to further improve it, to a level that is considered sufficient for supporting the future ICAO SARPS.
It shall not be forgotten that in order to work in the new digital environment, AIM organisation will use software provided by the industry. This software typically hides a part of the complexity of the conceptual model through the use of wizards and templates. The software providers also offer training as part of the whole installation and start of operations package.
AIXM training needs
Regular AIM staff are not expected to work directly with the Data Exchange Specification (AIXM XML Schema). Their software tools will manipulate the XML encoded data in the background. This data will be converted into text and graphical formats for presentation to the input operators and to the end users.
Only staff involved in the acceptance of the system and eventually staff responsible for reporting bugs to the software provider might need to understand the XML encodings. The AIXM training required by this staff is similar to the training required for the software developers.
XML skills are a regular competency of most software developers. Geography Markup Language (GML), which is the foundation of the AIXM XML encoding, requires some more specialised skills, but this is also increasingly available in the software industry and is supported by resources on the Internet.
Starting from this basis, software specialists need a very limited training in the specific aspects of the AIXM XML encoding. This is most efficiently achieved by providing access to documentation and sample data, which is partially in place through the AIXM Web site (www.aixm.aero). The future AIXM Wiki and the AIXM Forum will provide the most efficient means for software developers to enter in contact with the developers of the specification and with their siblings and discuss specific data encoding aspects that they might face.
Therefore, it may be concluded that regular AIM staff does not need specific AIXM XML training. Just for general awareness, the subject can be covered through the data encoding samples that are already available on the AIXM Web site.
For software developers and technical AIM personnel who needs AIXM XML skills, the resources that exist or that are in development are considered to satisfy the needs.
action by the AIS-AIMsg
The AIS-AIMSG is invited to:
Take note of the training requirements in relation with the adoption of AIXM as ICAO SARPS for a Conceptual Model and Data Exchange Specification; and
Take note that basic training material already exists and more complete training packs are either in development or could be developed with a relatively small effort.
