Avionics are the electronic systems used on aircraft, artificial satellites, and spacecraft.

Avionic systems include communications, navigation, the display and management of multiple systems, and the hundreds of systems that are fitted to aircraft to perform individual functions.


Functions of the Avionics

Avionics plays a heavy role in modernization initiatives like the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Next Generation Air Transportation System project in the United States and the Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR) initiative in Europe.


The Joint Planning and Development Office put forth a roadmap for avionics in six areas:

Published Routes and Procedures – Improved navigation and routing

Negotiated Trajectories – Adding data communications to create preferred routes
dynamically

Delegated Separation – Enhanced situational awareness in the air and on the ground

LowVisibility/CeilingApproach/Departure – Allowing operations with weather
constraints with less ground infrastructure

Surface Operations – to increase safety in approach and departure

ATM Efficiencies – Improving the ATM process