FAA automates mapping with Oracle

The Federal Aviation Administration will use Oracle's 10G database and spatial system to store and consolidate aeronautical information to create precise electronic maps of the skies to make it easier and safer for pilots flying on instrument flight procedures to navigate airspace.

FAA's Aviation System Standards produces more than 10 million individual national airspace charting products per year for use by military, commercial and private aviators.

The Oracle-based system will help automate instrument procedure development and distribution, and will better manage large volumes of geospatial data to produce charts that evolves with changing terrain, such as a high-rise building or cell tower, Tam Barnes, manager of IT for FAA's Aviation System Standards, said today.

FAA updated its flight procedures system with the latest Oracle database and geospatial system through an existing contract with Lockheed Martin Corp.

(Posted July 26 and revised July 27)