Criteria for Internet Communications of Aviation Weather, Notam, and Aeronautical Data

Advisory
Circular
U.S. Department
of Transportation
Federal Aviation
Administration

__________________________________________________
Subject: INTERNET COMMUNICATIONS OF
AVIATION WEATHER AND NOTAMS

Date: 11/1/02
AC No.: 00-62
Initiated by: ARS-100

1. PURPOSE. This Advisory Circular (AC) describes the process for any person or organization that
provides access to aviation weather and Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) via the Public Internet to become
a Qualified Internet Communications Provider (QICP).
The FAA Aerospace Weather Standards Division (ARS-200) is responsible for establishing and
maintaining a current list of all QICPs on a designated Web page accessible by the general public.
This AC pertains only to Internet communications between a civil aviation user and a QICP. This AC
addresses data quality only to the extent of considering QICP security practices to protect data from
unauthorized modification and encouraging the identification of the operational or experimental status of
QICP products. The FAA Web page containing the current list of all QICPs contains a notice that being
listed as a QICP does not mean that the quality of the QICP data (e.g., accuracy, timeliness or content) is
certified or otherwise approved by the FAA.
Like all advisory material, this AC is not mandatory and does not constitute a regulation. Definitions
used in this AC are contained in Appendix 1.
2. GENERAL. A person or organization that accomplishes and maintains the following as they pertain
to the provider's facility (i.e., all hardware, software and Internet connectivity under the applicant’s direct
control) may become an approved QICP:
a. Reliability means users are able to retrieve requested data from the provider with no outage
lasting longer than 10 minutes, and no more than 30 minutes of total outages (including outages
due to maintenance) in any continuous 3-month period.
b. Accessibility means turnaround time within the provider's facility. The provider should be
capable of initiating transmission of requested data during transactions with 100% of its users
within 2 minutes.

Internet
Facility

A transaction starts when a
request arrives at the
provider’s facility and ends
when the requested data
leaves the facility.

User
Figure 1: Illustration of a Transaction
c. Security means providing Internet site authentication and maintaining data integrity. The
provider should implement security technology such as server digital certificate technology (such
as X.509) and Secure Sockets Layer protocol consistent with current accepted Internet standards
if using the hypertext transfer protocol, and equally secure technology if using an alternative
Internet application protocol. In addition, the provider should establish and implement security
practices to prevent unauthorized access to or modification of provider data, software and
hardware.
1) Use of the Public Internet carries certain risks to both QICPs and users. Below are some of
the more common risks:
a) The user receives intentionally corrupted data from an invalid source instead of
original data from a legitimate source, not detecting the difference. The invalid
source captured the original data en route and replaced it with intentionally corrupted
data.
b) The user receives forged or fake data that purports to be from a legitimate source but
is actually generated by an invalid source.
c) The user gets original data from a legitimate source, but it is inaccurate; it causes a
problem in the user’s operation and, subsequently, the source denies sending it in
order to avoid culpability for the user’s loss.
2) A server digital certificate mitigates these risks by providing Internet site authentication and
two-way data integrity during the transaction between the QICP and the user.
3. RECOMMENDED PRACTICES.
a. User authentication: QICPs should consider user authentication (via browser digital
certificate or username/password) as needed to determine the identity of the requester. In
addition, QICPs should maintain a retrievable archive of Internet server log files as well as data
received and provided in each transaction for a period of no less than 15 calendar days after the
date of that transaction. In the event of receipt of notification of an accident, incident or overdue
aircraft, or upon the request of the FAA or the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the
provider should retain the data related to that aircraft indefinitely, or until such time that the
destruction of the data is authorized by law. The QICP should make this data available in the
form of a readable certified true copy upon request of the FAA, the NTSB or a Federal, state or
local law enforcement agency.
b. Product status: With the increasing availability of developmental weather products, QICPs
are encouraged to clearly identify the operational or experimental status of each product. This

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may be done by partitioning the Internet site, by grouping products or by labeling each individual
product. Users are encouraged to require such identification by QICPs.
4. PROCESS FOR QUALIFICATION. To become a QICP, applicants should follow the qualification
process described herein.
a.

Steps to Becoming a QICP.
1) Submit an application certified by a responsible official to ARS-200 containing the
following:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

Service Description
Security Plan
Capability Demonstration Plan
Ongoing Maintenance Plan
Warning label

2) Satisfactorily complete the Capability Demonstration.
b.

Attachments to the Letter of Application
1) Service Description: Describes how the applicant intends to accomplish the items in
paragraph 2 and (optionally) the recommended practices in paragraph 3. The Service
Description should include, at a minimum, the following items:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)

Intended user(s) or user class(es), estimated number of users in each user class
Server architecture (i.e., hardware, software)
Network management software
Server digital certificate technology
User authentication (optional)
Archival of Internet server log files and transaction data (optional)
Identification of product status as either operational or experimental (optional)

2) Security Plan: Describe how the applicant plans to prevent unauthorized access to or
modification of applicant's data or facility (e.g., software, hardware, networks, etc.). These
practices should include, at a minimum, the following:
a)
b)
c)
d)

Vulnerability assessments
Risk assessments
Security tests
Disaster recovery and contingency measures

3) Capability Demonstration Plan: Describes how the applicant plans to demonstrate that it
can or has accomplished the items in paragraph 2 [“General”] and (optionally) the
Recommended Practices, usually through a trial period of operations. An alternate
demonstration method may be accepted by ARS-200 upon request of the applicant (e.g.,
documentation of prior Internet site performance). The Demonstration Plan should contain
the following:
a) Primary points of contact for the demonstration
b) Period of time, including starting and completion dates

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c) Performance statistics to be collected during the demonstration. (Note: These
statistics could be collected using the same process as in paragraph 4.b.4)c) below.)
d) Proposed reporting format
4) Ongoing Maintenance Plan: Describes how the applicant plans to adequately maintain its
Internet service and operation. This plan should include at least the following:
a) The names, titles and resumes of responsible personnel, with descriptions of their
duties and responsibilities
b) System maintenance procedures
c) Quality Assurance Plan describing the process to collect and maintain performance
statistics for the items in paragraph 2 [“General”] and to provide them to ARS-200
semiannually or upon request
d) Quality of Service (QOS) agreement(s) with each user or user class, specifying the
items in paragraph 2 and providing user complaint procedures in the event QICP
service and operation are not adequate
5) Warning Label: To ensure that users fully understand that a QICP means that FAA is only
approving the provider’s servers and communication interface as meeting the provisions of
this AC and not approving the quality of data, it is strongly encouraged that an approved
QICP display a warning label on its Internet site that addresses the above. The following
language is recommended:
This Qualified Internet Communication Provider’s (QICP) servers and communication
interfaces are approved by the FAA as secure, reliable, and accessible in accordance
with AC 00-62.
1) This QICP does not ensure the quality and currency of the information
transmitted to you.
2) You the user, assumes the entire risk related to the information and its use.
c. Application Review. Upon receipt of the application, ARS-200 acknowledges receipt, reviews
the submission and requests additional information if needed. ARS-200 plans to advise the
applicant in writing of its findings within 60 calendar days from receipt. If unable to complete
the review within this period, ARS-200 provides the applicant with a revised completion date. If
the application package is lacking in some way, ARS-200 returns the submission to the applicant
with recommendations for revision. If the application package is sufficient, ARS-200 notifies the
applicant to proceed with its capability demonstration.
d. Capability Demonstration. Upon receiving notification to proceed, the applicant may
demonstrate its Internet performance capability, usually by means of a trial period. During the
trial period, the provider's Internet site should be fully operational. During and after the trial
period, the applicant should report demonstration results to ARS-200 to document satisfactory
accomplishment of the items contained in this AC.
e. Application Disposition
1) Upon successful completion of the capability demonstration, ARS-200 issues a letter
approving the applicant as a QICP for a period of 6 months and adds the applicant’s name to
the QICP list maintained by ARS-200 on a designated Web page.

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2) Should the FAA find the capability demonstration to be insufficient, ARS-200 issues a Letter
of Denial, indicating the reasons for the denial. The form and content of any subsequent reapplication are defined in the Letter of Denial.
5. ONGOING MAINTENANCE
QICPs should demonstrate ongoing maintenance of QICP status by collecting facility performance
statistics and providing them to ARS-200 semiannually or upon request (e.g., following ARS-200 receipt
of a user QOS complaint). ARS-200 reviews QICP statistics to verify continued performance
maintenance; if verified, ARS-200 retains the provider’s name on the QICP list for an additional period of
6 months. If a QICP does not adequately maintain its service and operation, ARS-200 notifies the
provider in writing that QICP status may be rescinded unless the provider provides documentation within
30 calendar days that the deficiency has been corrected. If such documentation is not received or is
unsatisfactory, ARS-200 may rescind QICP status and remove the provider’s name from the QICP list.
QICPs should acknowledge and address user QOS complaints within 14 calendar days of receipt, and
forward user QOS complaints to ARS-200 within 30 calendar days of receipt with an explanation of
actions taken. ARS-200 and QICPs may collaborate to resolve any identified performance deficiencies.
QICP failure to properly process or resolve QOS complaints may result in ARS-200 taking action as
described in the preceding paragraph.
6. PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT STATEMENT. As described in this AC, the FAA collects
information contained in initial QICP applications and subsequent QICP reports of semi-annual facility
performance statistics, archived data and user complaint corrective actions. The information is collected
to enable ARS-200 to process initial QICP applications and determine continued QICP maintenance of its
service and operation for the transmission of aviation weather and NOTAMs via the Internet; collected
information may also be used by the FAA, the NTSB or law enforcement agencies following an accident,
incident or overdue aircraft. The reporting burden for each QICP is estimated to average 568 hours
during the initial year and 274 hours each subsequent year. Information submission is totally voluntary;
however, failure to provide the information may result in the denial or loss of QICP status. An agency
may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless
it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. The OMB
control number for AC 00-62 is 2120-0672.
7. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Questions or comments concerning this AC should be directed to:
FAA, Aerospace Weather Policy Division (ARS-100)
800 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20591
(202) 385-7704

James H. Washington
Director, Air Traffic System Requirements Service

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APPENDIX 1. DEFINITIONS OF TERMS
This appendix contains definitions of terms used throughout this AC.
Browser
Browser Digital
Certificate
Facility
Hypertext Transfer
Protocol
Internet Certificate
Standard
Internet Site
Authentication
Log File
NOTAM

Provider
Public Internet
Secure Sockets
Layer Protocol
Server Digital
Certificate
TCP/IP
(Transmission
Control Protocol/
Internet Protocol)
Transaction
User
User
Authentication
Web (World Wide
Web)

User program allowing access to data via the Web
Electronic equivalent of an ID card obtained employing digital certificate
technology and installed on a user’s browser—used in conjunction with a public
key encryption system to automatically authenticate the user’s identity.
All hardware, software and Internet connectivity under the provider's direct
control.
The set of rules for exchanging files (text, graphic images, sound, video, and other
multimedia files) on the Web (World Wide Web).
An Internet industry standard that defines what information can go into a digital
certificate and describes the information format.
Technique by which access to Internet site resources requires a server digital
certificate as identification.
An Internet server file containing access information regarding the activity on that
server.
Aeronautical information that could affect a pilot’s decision to make a flight. It
includes such information as airport or primary runway closures, changes in the
status of navigational aids, radar service availability, and other information
essential to planned en route, terminal or landing operations. It can also contain
mandatory emergency air traffic rules issued pursuant to the Code of Federal
Regulations, Title 14, Section 91.139.
A person or organization (including a government agency) which supplies
aviation weather and NOTAMs to a civil aviation user.
Any and/or all of the Internet sites that are accessible by any Internet connection.
A distinguishing feature is its use of a set of protocols called TCP/IP
(Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol).
A security protocol that provides Internet site authentication, message integrity
and message privacy over the Internet—allows provider/user applications to
communicate while preventing message forgery, tampering and eavesdropping.
Electronic equivalent of an ID card obtained employing digital certificate
technology and installed on an Internet site server—used in conjunction with a
public key encryption system to automatically authenticate the Internet site’s
identity and ensure two-way data integrity during a transaction.
The basic communication language or protocol of the Internet.

All data exchanged between the user and provider beginning when the user's
request arrives at the provider's facility and ending when the requested data leaves
the facility.
A person or organization that requests and receives aviation weather and
NOTAMs from a provider.
Technique by which access to Internet site resources requires user identification
by such means as a browser digital certificate, or a username and password.
All the resources and users on the Internet that use the Hypertext Transfer
Protocol (or compatible protocols).

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