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September 28th, 2005

NASAASAS R&D

AIRSPACE SYSTEMS PROGRAM

Michael H. DurhamKenneth M. JonesThomas J. Graff

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Outline

Video - “Capacity Takes Flight” A long-term vision for a Distributed Approach to ATM

NASA ASAS R&D Concepts Enroute -

Autonomous Flight Management

Terminal -Airborne Precision Spacing (Phased Approach)Trajectory Oriented Operations with Limited Delegation

Oceanic - In-Trail Procedures (Phased Approach)

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Airborne Separation Assistance Systems

Future NAS will be required to handle two to three times more traffic than today’s system Proposed solutions include greater delegation of appropriate

air traffic management responsibilities to the flight deck of appropriately equipped aircraft

Airborne Separation Assistance Systems (ASAS) are an essential component in a “Transformed NAS”

ASAS will be implemented only after: Technical and operational challenges are addressed ASAS is proven to be safe Operational experience with ASAS is gained

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NASA ASAS R&D Elements

Enhanced Oceanic Operations

Airborne Precision Spacing Trajectory Oriented Operations With Limited Delegation

Autonomous Flight Management

FL360

FL340

FL350

Current SeparationRequirement

Meter fix

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AffordableCost is shouldered primarily by the aircraft operators that benefit from the investment.

Safely supplements ATC The traffic burden exceeding ATC’s capacity is distributed among the watchful systems and flight crews of those aircraft, resulting in more ‘eyes’ focused on safety.

Human-centered Trajectory decisions are made and monitored by pilots, informed by technology.

Self-elected aircraft operators Not a mandate. AFM is an investment decision made per aircraft at each operator’s discretion. AFM serves those who need it, where they need it, without disrupting those who don’t.

Automatically, safely, and cost-effectively adapt to significant changes in air traffic demand.

Autonomous Flight Management (AFM)

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Autonomous Operations Planner Autonomous Operations Planner (AOP): Airborne research tool set (AOP): Airborne research tool set supports flight crew decision-supports flight crew decision-making for AFR operationsmaking for AFR operations

Airborne conflict management Conflict-free maneuvering Flow constraint conformance Airspace restriction avoidance

AFR: A New Class of En Route Operation

Controller workload for increased demand is off-loaded to pilots / systems of new “AFR” aircraft

Autonomous Autonomous Flight Rules Flight Rules (AFR)(AFR)

VFRIFR

AFR

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Concept: Integrate “absolute” 4-D trajectory oriented operations with “relative” spacing operationsUse time-based metering to regulate traffic flow,Use trajectory-based operations to create efficient, nominally conflict-free

trajectories that conform to traffic management constraints and,Maintain local spacing between aircraft with airborne separation assistance systems

(ASAS).

Approach:Develop near-term concept for procedural integration of near-term technologies Develop medium-term concept with data link-supported technology integration of

advanced air/ground automationDevelop site-specific implementations that address local opportunities and

challengesUse human in the loop simulation to develop, test and refine operational concepts

Trajectory Oriented Operations With Limited Delegation (TOOWiLD)

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Basic TOOWiLD Scenario

Controller may issue merging and spacing instructions to flight crews of equipped aircraft when within ADS-B range of leader.

Controller may issue merging and spacing instructions to flight crews of equipped aircraft when within ADS-B range of leader.

Controller may assign limited delegation clearance to pass behind traffic.Controller may assign limited delegation clearance to pass behind traffic.

1. Time-based traffic management regulates inbound flow.

2. 4-D trajectory-based operations used to plan and execute conflict free flight paths.

3. Together, these operations put flight crews in a position to utilize Airborne Separation Assistance Systems (ASAS) to deal with local spacing issues, if instructed or permitted by the controller to do so.

AOC, flight crew or controller can develop efficient, conflict-free trajectory to satisfy meter fix arrival time constraint.

AOC, flight crew or controller can develop efficient, conflict-free trajectory to satisfy meter fix arrival time constraint.

Time-based metering provides meter fix arrival schedule and time constraint for inbound aircraft.

Time-based metering provides meter fix arrival schedule and time constraint for inbound aircraft.

Meter fix

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Airborne Precision Spacing (APS)

Controller clears participating flight crews to space on aircraft ahead in stream

Controller defines the optimal sequence and spacing requirements for each aircraft and communicates these to the flight crew; controller provides either a time or a distance spacing, to be achieved at threshold crossing

New airborne guidance and procedures allow the pilots to meet their assigned spacing and sequence requirements with high precision B777 navigation display view of merging and

spacing operation

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Goals• Increase throughput for arrivals in capacity-constrained terminal

airspace

• Enable growth in arrival traffic without equivalent growth in ATC infrastructure (Reliever airports, uncontrolled airports)

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Airborne Precision SpacingImprove Capacity-Constrained Terminal Arrival Operations

Phased Approach Phase 1 – Final Approach Spacing Tool (completed flight demo under AATT) Phase 2 – Include approach spacing and merging Phase 3 – Include maneuver corridors

Meteringboundary

Terminal airspace

Unequipped Aircraft

Fly with precision for optimal spacing

Phase 1 – Completed flight demo under AATT

Adhere to metering assignment for initial

spacing and sequenceMerge with converging

traffic streams Adhere to runway

assignment and sequence for load

balancing, throughput

Phase 2

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Meteringboundary

Fly with precision for optimal spacing

Adhere to metering assignment for initial

spacing and sequence

Terminal airspace

ATSP-definedmaneuvering

corridor

Maneuver within prescribed corridorsfor optimal spacing

Merge with converging

traffic streams

Adhere to runway assignment and

sequence for load balancing, throughput

Unequipped Aircraft

Airborne Precision SpacingImprove Capacity-Constrained Terminal Arrival Operations

Maneuver corridors (phase 3)

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Integration of Airborne Spacing withContinuous Descent Approaches (CDAs)

Continuous Descent Approaches (CDAs)RNAV procedure for idle power descent from cruise to final

approach Result in lower noise around airports, fuel savings, fewer

emissions, and less time in the airAircraft at near flight-idle during descentAircraft stay high longer, have steeper / faster descent

However, uncertainty in trajectories requires large spacing buffers between aircraft, thereby preventing high throughput

Goal: Integrate APS and CDA low-noise guidance to achieve optimal balanceHigh throughputLow noise and emissions

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Enhanced Oceanic OperationsOceanic Technical Characteristics and Challenges

Extended periods out of radar coverage

Large longitudinal and lateral separation minima required for safe procedural separation

Most airlines want the same tracks and altitudes results in altitude “congestion”

Safe operations but often not fuel efficient operations

Aircraft “stuck” at a non-optimal altitude due to traffic “congestion” For efficient operations, aircraft need

to climb as they burn fuel Due to traffic congestion at higher

altitudes, aircraft often restricted from climbing

Use airborne surveillance and onboard tools to facilitate altitude changes for greater fuel efficiency

Solution

Compromise

Optimal

WATRS EUR-CAR

EUR-NAM

NATOTS

CEP

SOPAC

PACOTS

NOPAC

CENPAC

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Phase 1 – Altitude Change Request Advisory ToolTool that advises pilot of available altitudes for altitude changes

Advisory information only (low certification requirements)

Phase 2 –ASAS In-Trail ProceduresAltitude changes allowed based on cockpit derived data

No delegation of separation authority

Phase 3 – Enhanced ASAS In-Trail ProceduresActive monitoring of other traffic during altitude change

Limited delegation of separation authority to cockpit

Reduced separation criteria

Phase 4 – Airborne self-separation on a track Aircraft allowed to maneuver on specially approved tracks

Closer to optimal fuel burn profiles

Enhanced Oceanic Operations Phased Approach

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Summary NASA is conducting R&D across all levels of ASAS

Started with a vision of a mature ASAS implementation Studied ASAS implementations in Enroute, Terminal, and

Oceanic operations Developed frameworks for phased implementations in each

domain

ASAS will be implemented only after: Technical and operational challenges are addressed ASAS is proven to be safe Operational experience with ASAS is gained

R&D must be driven by requirements of mature ASAS concepts capable of 2-3 times capacity

Implementations must be phased in small increments to gain operational experience