Integrate Weather into TMA and ERAM

Task a

Task A aims to improve weather detection and prediction, pass to TMA via SWIM-like network Evaluate SWIM-Enabled CONOPs and controller user interface concepts for ERAM based re-planning around convective weather for flights En-route to meter fix. ERAM CARTS TMA SDSS, Vendor Wx data, CWIS are the systems used.

International Flight Object

task d

The program objective of this task was to provide the first phase of research in the real-time exchange of flight data for flights between Europe and the United States. This phase focused on lab execution and demonstrations of recorded flight data passed between systems. The operational objective of this task was to demonstrate the potential of flight data object exchange between the international air navigation services providers (ANSPs), the U.S. oceanic air traffic control system, the U.S. domestic system, and the collaborative flight planning system to provide benefits associated with situational awareness and planning along the entire path of flight.

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)

task e

This primary purpose of this UAS project was to create a partnership between Kennedy Space Center, National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to develop a test range in restricted airspace at KSC that can be used to conduct weather related research with unmanned aerial systems. The first research focus for an acquired UAS will be on atmospheric sciences. Embry-Riddle worked with NOAA to develop a series of test flights, instrumented for data collection, and to integrate these flights into the restricted airspace at KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility. Lessons learned in the UAS testing, data collection, and analysis can then be used to enhance the UAS operations and engineering curriculum at the University.

Surface Exchange of Flight Data

task f

The objective of this task was to provide the first phase of research in the real-time exchange of flight data for flights operating in and around  an airport’s surface. This phase was focused on engineering analysis and lab demonstrations of recorded flight data passed between systems.

The operational objective of this task was to demonstrate the potential benefits, associated with situational awareness and collaborative planning along the entire life of a flight, that are provided by enabling FDO exchange between airport surface stakeholders,  collaborating Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) entities, and flight operators.

4D Trajectory Based Operations

task g

The purpose of the 4D FMS (Flight Management System) TBO (Trajectory Based Operations) program is to leverage existing technology and FMS capabilities as a starting point for defining standards to meet time of arrival control requirements that are needed for future operational concepts, as well as demonstrating the potential of 4D TBO and quantifying the benefits that can be expected from these types of operations. This work will build on previous work such as Tailored Arrivals, NUP2+, CASSIS, and Trajectory Operations to enable integration of 4D TBO into the National Airspace System (NAS) in the NextGen mid-term (2013-2018).

Oceanic Flight Advisory Trial "OCAT"

task h

The overall objectives of the OCAT is to provide a service that allows users (AOCs (Airport Obstruction Charts), ANSPs (Air Navigation Service Providers), other advisory tools) to probe the oceanic portions of potential flight plan changes without impacting the operational ATOP (Advanced Technologies and Oceanic Procedures) systems and controllers. This would allow AOCs and other users to determine and request conflict-free routings that potentially save fuel, time, money, etc.

Aircraft Arrival Management System

task j

The overall objective of this project is to evaluate the feasibility of utilizing a commercially available aircraft arrival management technology to demonstrate the capabilities and benefits of a multi-user, fully integrated Aircraft Arrival Management System (AAMS). The intent is to demonstrate that currently, commercially available AOC-based metering tools could support the FAA's NextGen time-based metering concept. Another objective is to better understand the type of information that can be shared between stakeholders (airline AOCs) and the FAA for collaborative decision making.

Real-Time Exchange of Flight Data Objects

task k

The purpose of this task is to perform analysis and demonstration of a Flight Data Object (FDO) as a means for capturing and sharing the most up-to-date information on any flight via System-Wide Information Management (SWIM) core services. The FDO will enable information sharing among various users and stakeholders in the NAS, allowing for improved accuracy and availability of flight information updates, consistency of flight planning in different Air Traffic Management (ATM) system domains, and transitions of flights between these domains.

Electronic Flight Bag: 4D Trajectory Based Operations

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) created the NextGen program based on the concept of exchanging 4-Dimensional (4D) trajectory information to achieve the automation of conflict detection and resolution, metering and trajectory changes while operating under conditions of increased air traffic density, reduced accident rates, lower controller workload, and greater accommodation of user preferred trajectories.

Honeywell has partnered with ERAU in order to develop the FAA's tasks related to the NextGen program, specifically Trajectory Based Operations (TBO) and 4D display concepts. These organizations have joined in the effort to develop the FAA's task 09-02: "Human-in-the loop Evaluation of Selected NextGen TBO Scenarios with identification of Issues and Recommendations for Cockpit System Enhancements."

Aircraft Access to SWIM (AAtS)

task o

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) identified the System Wide Information Management (SWIM) program as one of the critical components required to modernize the National Airspace System (NAS). The FAA also recognized the need for an airborne component of the SWIM Service Oriented Architecture (SOA), subsequently named Aircraft Access to SWIM (AAtS), to define how to provide a connection between SWIM shared NAS resources and an aircraft, either in the air or on the ground.  AAtS works to improve aircraft situational awareness by ensuring that all aircraft have accurate and identical information about their surroundings.  AAtS will work using existing FAA infrastructure and the EFB. The NEAR lab is the technical lead for AAtS, the sole AOC provider, and one of the DMS providers.

Mini Global

Task t

The NEAR lab is the sole AOC provider for the FAA's Mini Global Demonstration.  Mini global will demonstrate how a global exchange of SWIM data will integrate into NextGen airspace by sharing common information with International Air Navigation Service Providers in order to improve air traffic management and decision making.

4D Trajectory Based Operations Demostration

task w

Trajectory Based Operations (TBO) is a key concept in the US Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) and in Europe’s Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR).  The foundation for TBO is to plan and perform operations using a shared view of the flight that takes into account user preferences depicted by a Four-Dimensional (4D) Trajectory. The purpose of this task is to demonstrate prototype 4D TBO capabilities and the communication of 4DT information between the ground and aircraft. The project will help to evaluate the feasibility and benefits of air/ground data communications, the use of flight objects, and the integration of: Air Traffic Management (ATM), Traffic Management Coordinators (TMC), Front Line Managers (FLM), Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC), Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) controllers, Flight Operations Center (FOC), and aircraft trajectory communication systems for advanced trajectory exchange in ATM.