A new spacing algorithm to support near-term interval management operations

Abstract

Interval Management (IM) is a future airborne-spacing concept that enables more precise inter-aircraft spacing through the use of avionics to aid a ight crew in achieving a desired spacing relative to a designated Target Aircraft. A key component of previous research has included the design and evaluation of spacing algorithms used to calculate the speed guidance provided to the ight crew. While more complex algorithms have shown good performance in a range of scenarios (e.g., varying route geometries and wind conditions), the algorithm complexity and required wind information may be prohibitive for near-term operations. This paper presents an alternative algorithm that was designed to be less complex and does not require wind information. Simulation results compare the performance of the alternative algorithm with the more complex algorithm. The simulation results show that the simpler algorithm performs better than the complex algorithm for spacing operations when both the spacing and Target Aircraft are on the same route. However, results also show that the simpler algorithm does not support IM operations over long distances (approximately 60-80 nautical miles) prior to merging behind the Target Aircraft; however, performance is improved when spacing starts between 25 and 10 nautical miles to the merge point where wind conditions between ights are more likely to be similar. © 2014 The MITRE Corporation. All Rights Reserved.