Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-dk4vv Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-25T16:34:33.571Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The Control of Inbound Flights

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 October 2009

André Benoît  and
Sip Swierstra
André Benoît
Affiliation:
(Eurocontrol)
Sip Swierstra
Affiliation:
(Eurocontrol)
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

This paper describes the basic principles of a method developed to guide aircraft accurately down to the runway in a time-of-arrival constrained environment. The method is designed to be used in a ‘zone of convergence’ context or in any similar advanced air traffic control system characterized by the integration of control phases over an extended area on the one hand and true ‘computer assistance’ to the air traffic controller on the other; that is, assistance provided at the decision-making level through the automatic generation of guidance advisories.

The method includes two closely-coupled basic components; namely, a ‘predictor’, which computes a trajectory once initial conditions and plans are known, and a ‘profile manager’, which adapts the plans to meet the time constraints and generates the guidance directives on the basis of present position, actual surveillance information, aircraft operation and route constraints.

Keywords

1. Air traffic control.2. Communications.3. Expert systems.
Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Navigation , Volume 44 , Issue 1 , January 1991 , pp. 85 - 96
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal Institute of Navigation 1991

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1Benoît, A. and Swierstra, S. (1984). Air traffic control in a zone of convergence–assessment within Belgian airspace. ICAS Symposium, paper 4.10.1, Toulouse, France.Google Scholar
2Voelkers, U. (1986). Computer-assisted arrival sequencing and scheduling with the COMPAS system. AGARD GCP Symposium, Brussels, June 1986. AGARD CP-410.Google Scholar
3Garcia, J. (1987). Amelioration of arrival traffic flow management at Paris-Orly. Proceedings of the Specialist Panel on Automatic Conflict Detection and Resolution (SPACDAR). Eurocontrol.Google Scholar
4Magill, S., Tyler, A., Williamson, E. and Fich, W. (1988). Computer-based tools for assisting air traffic controllers with arrivals flow management. RSRE Report No. 88001.Google Scholar
5Erzberger, H. and Nedell, W. (1989). Design of automated system for management of arrival traffic. NASA Technical Memorandum 102201.Google Scholar
6Benoît, A., Swierstra, S. and De Wispelaere, R. (1986). Next generation of control techniques in advanced TMA–automatic assistance for the controller/pilot dialogue AGARD GCP Symposium, Brussels, June 1986; AGARD CP-410, December 1986.Google Scholar
7Benoît, A. and Swierstra, S. (1987). Ground-based 4-D guidance of flights in strong wind–experiments conducted with British Airways B-737 and B-757 flight simulators. Eurocontrol Doc. 872010.Google Scholar
8Benoît, A. and Evers, E. (1975). Aircraft trajectory prediction data for ATC purposes. AGARDograph AG-209.Google Scholar
9Benoît, A. and Swierstra, S. (1981). Aircraft performance data for the control of inbound traffic. Eurocontrol Doc. 812032.Google Scholar
10Benoît, A. and Swierstra, S. (1989). Generation of aircraft trajectories for airline operation–Methods–Techniques–Tools. AGARDograph AG-301, paper 17. To be published. Also Eurocontrol Report 892008-E, December 1989.Google Scholar