The Global Aviation Information Network (GAIN): Collaboration Across Borders to Improve Safety

摘要

The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposed the Global Aviation Information Network (GAIN) as a voluntary, privately owned and operated network of systems that collect and use aviation safety information about flight operations, air traffic control operations, and maintenance to improve aviation safety worldwide. Several barriers must be addressed in order for the aviation community to collect and use information proactively. First, several legal issues must be addressed to alleviate the concerns of potential participants that the information may be used against them. Second, the hands-on front line personnel are a valuable source of the needed information, and various cultural barriers must be addressed to help assure that these people will provide it. Third, the potential volume of data is so large that improved analytical tools are needed to help convert large quantities of data into useful information. Fourth, effective means of sharing and using the information must be developed in order for the entire community to benefit from the information. The foundation underlying all of this is trust ― the members of the aviation community must be confident that the purpose of the program is to improve safety before they collect or share information. Addressing these barriers requires collaboration across several types of borders, some more important than others. First, aviation is so inherently international that collaboration across national borders is a must. Second, various segments of the aviation community must collaborate, e.g., pilots and controllers. Third, management and labor must work together as never before in order for information to be collected and used proactively. Last, but not least, these information processes are very generic and widely applicable to many industries, including only other transportation industries, chemical manufacturing, nuclear power, and most notably, health care and national security, and collaboration across industry "borders" will help everyone win. GAIN is making excellent progress regarding collaboration across all of these borders.