Air Traffic Management Concept Baseline Definition - The Boeing ...

this improvement will be the same time source as onboard the aircraft,
knowledge of key aircraft performance parameters and better wind
information. Automation aids to process this information and calculate
trajectory predictions will be required, along with tools to assist in
optimizing arrival and departure sequences.
1.3. Air/ground data link to exchange trajectory and weather information will
be required to take full advantage of navigation and sequencing
capabilities. Careful consideration must be given to who the agents in the
data link exchange should be, because the improved navigation, sequencing
and spacing functions may allow much less reliance on ATC vectors, and
thus the nature of the communications may be shifting away from
execution and toward medium-term planning. Thus, it may be that AOC
will take on a more active role in decisions regarding aircraft sequencing
priority, and that the flow manager or sector planner will need to
communicate directly with AOC or the aircraft through data link.
2. Improved intervention performance. This may allow further reduction in spacing
buffers, and will help set the stage for eventual reductions in separation standards.
The following performance factors must be addressed:
2.1. More reliable clearance delivery. This refers to a lower error rate in
communicating clearances to aircraft, which may be achieved partly
through the use of data link and partly through a lower intervention rate
due to improved planning and conformance described in item 1.1.
2.2. Improved intervention response time. This may be enabled by data link,
given appropriate controller and crew interfaces that allow quicker
execution onboard, and where frequency congestion can be alleviated. The
improved planning and conformance described in item 1 may also result in
an a higher probability that the sector controller issues clearances in a
timely manner.
2.3. More accurate prediction of time-to-go in a conflict situation. The
improvements in trajectory prediction and conformance described in item 1,
combined with automation that provides estimated time-to-go, may result
in lower false alarm rates and thus reduced spacing buffers.
3. Improved conflict detection, coupled with the improvements in items 1 and 2,
should allow reductions in separation standards in dense terminal airspace. The
following factors must be considered for improvement:
3.1. Tracking of radar surveillance data. Current NAS tracker has substantial
lag in detecting aircraft maneuvers. Newer Kalman filter-based multiradar
trackers could improve detection performance considerably.
3.2. Precision position and velocity information from on-board navigation
sensors could further improve performance. In particular, an independent
velocity measurement would support improved short-term trajectory
prediction and reduce the lag in detecting maneuvers.
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