Traffic aware strategic aircrew requests analysis and development

Added: Feb 10, 2012 9:23 am NASA envisions a near-term application of the advanced flight-deck technology toimprove pilot-initiated requests for trajectory change made to Air Traffic Control (ATC)in today's operations. In a concept called "Traffic Aware Strategic Aircrew Requests"(TASAR), pilots would use onboard automation tools to identify trajectory improvementopportunities and to de-conflict them from traffic aircraft prior to making thetrajectory-change request to ATC. The TASAR capability is not safety-critical, becauseATC remains fully responsible and in charge of the aircraft's safety with respect totraffic separation. The TASAR capability is a user-request improvement system that isanticipated to increase ATC approval frequency and thereby provide benefits in areas suchas flight efficiency, flight schedule compliance, passenger comfort, and pilot andcontroller workload.With TASAR, NASA intends to help accelerate the adoption of ADS-B equipage by theaircraft operator community. The objective of this contract is to explore the benefits,technical requirements, and operational capabilities of TASAR. By analyzing the benefitsto aircraft operators, pilots, and controllers, and by prototyping the TASAR capabilityand testing it in simulation and flight, the path to possible implementation foroperational use can be shortened.The focus of this effort is to explore the benefits, technical requirements, andoperational capabilities of TASAR. Tasks are defined to achieve these objectives:1. Quantification of the expected user benefits and the positive and negativeeffects on ATC and airspace operations2. A software-hardware prototype of the flight-deck technology for use in multiplesimulators and flight trials3. Certification and operational approval from NASA and the FAA to conduct flighttrials, including thorough documentation of the certification/approval processes andartifacts4. A flexible and efficient pilot interface design and accompanying pilot proceduresverified by pilots in flight to be acceptable for flight operations and supportive ofachieving user benefits