THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FINAL APPROACH SPACING TOOL (FAST): 
A COOPERATIVE CONTROLLER-ENGINEER DESIGN APPROACH 

Katharine K. Lee and Thomas J. Davis


Abstract

Historically, the development of advanced automation for Air
Traffic Control in the United States has excluded the input of the air
traffic controller until the end of the development process.  In
contrast, the development of the Final Approach Spacing Tool (FAST), for
the terminal area controller, has incorporated the end-user in early,
iterative testing.  This paper describes a cooperation between the
controller and the developer to create a tool which incorporates the
complexity of the air traffic controller's job.  This approach to
software development has enhanced the usability of FAST and has helped
smooth the introduction of FAST into the operational environment.