Trajectory-Based Operations (TBO) - Joint Planning and ...
Trajectory-Based Operations (TBO) - Joint Planning and ...
Trajectory-Based Operations (TBO) - Joint Planning and ...
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15.0 Phoenix To Bozeman Scenario<br />
<strong>Trajectory</strong>-<strong>Based</strong> <strong>Operations</strong> (<strong>TBO</strong>)<br />
Study Team Report<br />
15.1 N72MD General Aviation Flight <strong>Planning</strong><br />
The pilot uses her laptop PC to access network-enabled operations to obtain forecast weather <strong>and</strong><br />
airspace restrictions (OI-0306). A network-centric function similar to today’s Direct User Access<br />
Terminal Service (DUATS) allows the pilot to submit trial plans <strong>and</strong> obtain various alternatives to<br />
constraints along her route of flight. For example, the pilot uses FL210 for the initial altitude departing<br />
the Phoenix area. <strong>Based</strong> on the rate of climb the pilot enters, network-centric operations tools<br />
determine that the aircraft will climb through an arrival corridor into PHX, <strong>and</strong> provide the appropriate<br />
lateral route offset that will take the pilot further east out of the way <strong>and</strong> stay below this PHX arrival<br />
route. The tools offer other alternatives, as well. One alternative is a more direct route if remaining<br />
below FL190 until past the arrival route. The pilot selects that alternative. She also determines that<br />
once at FL210, she will potentially have to contend with arrivals <strong>and</strong> departures in <strong>and</strong> out of Salt Lake<br />
City (SLC) to the east.<br />
Once the pilot is finished with trial planning <strong>and</strong> settles on a route <strong>and</strong> altitude, she downloads the<br />
information to the external physical EFB device that she can carry anywhere <strong>and</strong> use with an Internet<br />
connection. The EFB contains identical planning software as the base unit in the aircraft, but has a<br />
smaller screen <strong>and</strong> controls. Trial planning is easier on the device. The pilot has configured the EFB<br />
software to interface with the network-centric operations to access airspace constraints, update weather<br />
information, <strong>and</strong> file flight plans. The EFB can use Wi-Fi, Ethernet or a mobile wireless connection to<br />
communicate with network-centric operations via the Internet.<br />
Initially, there is a +/- 15-minute window assigned to the destination arrival time for this flight plan<br />
due to the lack of VNAV <strong>and</strong> 4DT autopilot equipment, as identified by the flight plan equipment<br />
code. Consequently, the ANSP will initially de-conflict N72MD using vertical/altitude separation.<br />
Once in steady state flight, the ANSP will be able to calculate, as well as use ADS-B intent<br />
information for short-term intent <strong>and</strong> narrow the performance time (e.g., +/- one minute). This in turn<br />
permits separation using time to the degree accuracy allows. The ANSP’s <strong>TBO</strong> evaluation service will<br />
use the 15-minute separation window for planning <strong>and</strong> examining downstream conflicts <strong>and</strong> then shift<br />
to one-minute intervals once airborne.<br />
The pilot will make a final check of the weather <strong>and</strong> airspace constraints the morning of the flight <strong>and</strong><br />
will file the flight plan, populated with information used by the flight object for this flight. The<br />
clearance will be sent back to her <strong>and</strong> accepted in the EFB via mobile wireless. Once in the aircraft, the<br />
pilot will plug her portable device into the aircraft’s EFB <strong>and</strong> synchronize the EFB with the aircraft<br />
navigation system, so that the EFB <strong>and</strong> navigation system utilize the same flight plan information,<br />
which alleviates the need to program the navigation system by h<strong>and</strong>. The pilot must still review <strong>and</strong><br />
confirm that the flight plan is correct in the navigation system before it is executed.<br />
The pilot is delayed 20 minutes. She updates the flight plan Expected Departure Time (EDT) via cell<br />
phone by calling an 800 number that links her into the network-centric operations system. The ANSP<br />
takes this information <strong>and</strong> updates the predicted 4DT route that will be the basis for the clearance.<br />
<strong>Joint</strong> <strong>Planning</strong> <strong>and</strong> Development Office<br />
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