As we step into the third year of the Flight Centric ATC (FCA) project, it is the perfect moment to reflect on the milestones achieved while looking at the journey that lies ahead. Supported by the SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking under the EU’s Horizon Europe Programme, FCA continues to advance the vision of a more scalable, efficient, and resilient way of managing European airspace.
Foundations and First Validations
The first month of the project’s second year focused on preparing and executing the Ukrainian Exercise 001, hosted at DLR’s Flight Centric ATC laboratory in Braunschweig. The real-time simulation involved ten air traffic controllers from UkSATSE, trained on a new tiled HMI and a conflict resolution tool to manage nominal, non-nominal and degraded scenarios (such as thunderstorms and system failures).
The feedback collected during the simulations was highly encouraging: despite higher workloads in failure situations, controllers were able to manage traffic safely and effectively. This step was crucial in demonstrating the feasibility of the FCA concept and moving towards Technology Readiness Level 6 (TRL6).
At the same time, preparations for the Spanish Exercise 002 began: a first dry run in Madrid in late 2024 tested the validation infrastructure, fine-tuned scenarios, and refined procedures.
Scaling Up with Spanish Exercise 002
In 2025, the spotlight shifted to the Spanish Exercise 002, led by ENAIRE together with CRIDA, INDRA, and INECO. A second dry run in February 2025 ensured readiness of the iTEC platform, PUZZLE allocator tool, and operating procedures; then, in spring 2025, the full real-time validation campaign followed, with ENAIRE controllers and pseudo-pilots simulating operations in Madrid’s Route 1 upper airspace. In this exercise, the Allocator role was introduced, alongside a novel function for semi-dynamically allocating flights to controllers based on predicted workload and traffic complexity.
To tackle Madrid’s high-complexity environment, the team introduced airstreams, segregated flows managed by dedicated controllers: his innovation reduced coordination needs and made it possible to test FCA in a medium-complexity setting within challenging airspace.
Preliminary results have been promising:
- Flight allocations and transitions between FCA and conventional sectors was smooth;
- The PUZZLE tool allowed the allocator to balance workload between ATCOs;
- Controller provided positive feedback on feasibility, assuming that dedicated training and tool support are ensured.
At the same time, non-nominal conditions revealed the need for robust fallback procedures and more intuitive interfaces.
Showcasing FCA Around the World
Beyond simulations, FCA has been actively showcased at major international events, reinforcing its position as a pioneering concept in ATM innovation:
- EASN 2024 (Thessaloniki) – Researchers presented requirements for an Allocation Center, sparking discussions on sustainable ATM innovation;
- Digital Avionics Systems Conference (San Diego, 2024 & 2025) – Papers on cost efficiency, datalink technologies, and supervisor role transformations boosted the global dialogue;
- SESAR JU Annual Conference 2025 (Brussels) – FCA partners presented the Ukrainian and Spanish exercises, alongside cost-benefit insights and civil-military coordination use cases;
- Stakeholder Workshop 2025 (Brussels) – Over 50 participants discussed first validation results, human performance, and implementation challenges, providing feedback for the project’s next phase;
- Airspace World 2025 (Lisbon) – FCA featured in SESAR Walking Tours and the theatre session “Transforming Skies: Flight Centric ATC as a Game Changer”, with strong engagement from the international ATM community;
- AIAA Aviation Forum 2025 (USA) – Experts discussed 25 years of FCA research and future challenges, highlighting FCA as a maturing yet still evolving paradigm.
These showcases not only spread awareness, but also generated valuable feedback from stakeholders, feeding directly into the refinement of the FCA concept.
Beyond the Simulations: Broader Impact
Alongside exercises and showcases, a Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) launched in 2025 is quantifying FCA’s efficiency, safety, and productivity impacts in real-world operational environments. In parallel, workshops on safety and human performance have helped refine hazard identification, operational procedures, and training needs.
Looking Ahead
With two large-scale exercises completed, the FCA project has firmly established itself as a game-changer in European air traffic management. The next steps will involve consolidating findings, refining tools and procedures, and preparing for eventual industrial implementation.
The journey is far from over, but as the project enters its third year, one thing is clear: flight-centric operations are no longer an abstract concept as they are becoming a tangible, validated pathway to the future of air traffic control. Stay connected with us via sesar3fca.eu, LinkedIn, and our YouTube channel for updates as we continue to shape tomorrow’s skies.
