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Airborne Four-Dimensional Flight Management in a Time-based Air Traffic Control EnvironmentAdvanced Air Traffic Control (ATC) systems are being developed which contain time-based (4D) trajectory predictions of aircraft. Airborne flight management systems (FMS) exist or are being developed with similar 4D trajectory generation capabilities. Differences between the ATC generated profiles and those generated by the airborne 4D FMS may introduce system problems. A simulation experiment was conducted to explore integration of a 4D equipped aircraft into a 4D ATC system. The NASA Langley Transport Systems Research Vehicle cockpit simulator was linked in real time to the NASA Ames Descent Advisor ATC simulation for this effort. Candidate procedures for handling 4D equipped aircraft were devised and traffic scenarios established which required time delays absorbed through speed control alone or in combination with path stretching. Dissimilarities in 4D speed strategies between airborne and ATC generated trajectories were tested in these scenarios. The 4D procedures and FMS operation were well received by airline pilot test subjects, who achieved an arrival accuracy at the metering fix of 2.9 seconds standard deviation time error. The amount and nature of the information transmitted during a time clearance were found to be somewhat of a problem using the voice radio communication channel. Dissimilarities between airborne and ATC-generated speed strategies were found to be a problem when the traffic remained on established routes. It was more efficient for 4D equipped aircraft to fly trajectories with similar, though less fuel efficient, speeds which conform to the ATC strategy. Heavy traffic conditions, where time delays forced off-route path stretching, were found to produce a potential operational benefit of the airborne 4D FMS.
Document ID
19910008783
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Technical Memorandum (TM)
Authors
Williams, David H.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA., United States)
Green, Steven M.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA., United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
March 1, 1991
Subject Category
Aircraft Communications And Navigation
Report/Patent Number
NASA-TM-4249
NAS 1.15:4249
L-16825
Accession Number
91N18096
Funding Number(s)
PROJECT: RTOP 505-66-41-02
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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