Mon, Aug 24, 2009
4D Trajectory Optimized Flight Path Through Entire Flight
The element of “time” will be introduced in flight
demonstrations by FAA and Embry Riddle.
The systems that manage flights today employ three dimensions:
altitude, latitude and longitude. A fourth dimension – time
– will be introduced in demonstrations beginning later this
year under a new agreement reached between FAA and Embry
Riddle’s aviation consortium.
The new technology, called 4D trajectory based operations, will
optimize an aircraft’s flight path through its entire flight
– or trajectory – by adding the element of time. Time,
in this case, means the ability of an aircraft to cross a specific
navigation fix at a specific time. This type of precision –
knowing an aircraft will be where it’s supposed to be at a
certain time – will improve efficiency and capacity in the
nation’s skies. It also gets to the heart of the Next
Generation Air Transportation System: moving aircraft from Point A
to Point B with greater efficiency, saving time, money and
fuel.
Beginning in the fall, flight demonstrations of the new flight
management system in 4D trajectory based operations will help
determine how well aircraft avionics predict and execute the
optimum trajectory of an aircraft while sharing the information
with ground systems. Data collected from flight management systems
will help us understand how well aircraft systems are able to
compute the most efficient path between Point A and Point B and
their ability to comply with time constraints
NextGen Cockpit File Photo
The new technology is expected to be used on flights in
medium-density markets such as Orlando. These 4D trajectory based
operations will help us determine the impact on traffic capacity
and efficiency of operations.
More News
Aero Linx: Model Aeronautical Association of Australia MAAA clubs are about fun flying, camaraderie and community. For over 75 years, the MAAA has been Australia’s largest fl>[...]
Touchdown Zone Lighting Two rows of transverse light bars located symmetrically about the runway centerline normally at 100 foot intervals. The basic system extends 3,000 feet alon>[...]
“Discovery and innovation are central to our mission at Virgin Galactic. We’re excited to build on our successful record of facilitating scientific experiments in subor>[...]
How To Get A Story On Aero-TV News/Feature Programming How do I submit a story idea or lead to Aero-TV? If you would like to submit a story idea or lead, please contact Jim Campbel>[...]
Student Pilot Reported That During Rotation, “All Of A Sudden The Back Of The Plane Kicked To The Right..." Analysis: The student pilot reported that during rotation, “>[...]