FAA Free Flight Technology Achieves Major Milestone

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Federal Aviation Administration
Administrator Jane F. Garvey is in Indianapolis today to celebrate
the use of a technology that is helping to revolutionize air traffic
control. The User Request Evaluation Tool (URET), reached one
million hours of use in May. This new software is part of the FAA's
free flight program, which is designed to improve efficiency and
capacity.

"This program is an important part of the success we're seeing in
our air traffic modernization efforts. It's a win-win for the
controllers, pilots and the airline industry. And when those groups
win, so do the passengers," said Garvey.

URET is a hardware and software program that aids controllers in
granting pilot requests to change their flight path for more direct
routes or for different altitudes. The software allows controllers to
look 20 minutes into the future of a flight path. If a pilot wants a
more direct or different route, the controller punches in the
request. The proposed route flashes green or red. Immediately,
the controller is advised if the request is safe. Previously, the
controller relied on paper flight strips and mental calculations.

Controllers in Memphis, Tenn., and Indianapolis started using
URET in 1997. Since then, direct routings entered by controllers
have increased by 40 percent. This translates to less flying time,
less fuel burned, fewer expenses and greater passenger benefits.
Airlines are reporting $1.5 million in direct costs saved per month.

"We have a commitment to labor and industry to make the
system flow smoothly, and we're pleased to show the positive
results," Garvey said. "This is an important piece of the
Operational Evolution Plan, our ongoing implementation blueprint
for the next 10 years."

URET was conceived and built by MITRE Corp., McLean, Va. and
is being further developed by Lockheed Martin, Rockville, Md., for
use at high altitude centers. The digital system will be deployed in
Atlanta, Chicago, Cleveland, Kansas City, Mo., and Washington
centers in 2002.