UPS earlier this month for the first time operated two revenue flights simultaneously using Aviation Communication & Surveillance Systems' ADS-B-based SafeRoute program aboard 757-200Fs and plans to conduct such flights about once a week over the next two months as it gradually equips aircraft and trains pilots. SafeRoute uses ADS-B to provide automatic merging and spacing as well as on-ground situational awareness assistance for pilots (ATWOnline, Aug. 22, 2007). UPS and ACSS said that they gained operational certification from FAA for SafeRoute on 757s late last month. The cargo carrier currently has four 757-200Fs equipped with SafeRoute and plans to have six more equipped by the end of February. It plans to equip 75 757Fs and 32 767Fs by the end of 2009. Director-Flight Operations Karen Lee told ATWOnline yesterday that during the inaugural revenue flights, a -200F departing from Long Beach and another from Ontario, Calif., "came into ADS-B range of each other over Albuquerque" and used the technology to move within 150 sec. of each other. They maintained that spacing "all the way" until landing at UPS's Louisville hub, she said. "The tail of the leading aircraft was on the nose of the other aircraft and [the spacing] never deviated." FAA observers were onboard the aircraft to watch SafeRoute in action, she noted. Lee said UPS is moving "slowly" in operating flights using ADS-B owing to pilot training and equipage. "Matching up trained pilots with equipped aircraft [means it will be] two months before we get to more than once a week," she said. The carrier wants to build "confidence with controllers and crew. We don't want to do too much too fast because we'll risk things not going well if we move too quickly. With this kind of technology, you always have things you need to tweak or massage, so it's much better to take it slow." She said the technology has the potential to increase greatly the efficiency of UPS's time-sensitive cargo flights by allowing aircraft to safely fly and land close together and will save fuel by ensuring that they fly the most direct routes. by Aaron Karp