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At least 937 records · Page 52

Noise data for a twin-engine commercial jet aircraft flying conventional, steep, and two-segment approaches

Center-line noise measurements of a twin-engine commercial jet aircraft were made during steep landing approach profiles, and during two-segment approach profiles for comparison with similar measurements made during conventional approaches. The steep and two-segment approaches showed significant noise reductions when compared with the -3 deg base line. The measured noise data were also used to develop a method for estimating the noise under the test aircraft at thrust and altitude conditions typical of current landing procedures and of landing procedures under development for the Advanced Air Traffic Control System.

Hastings, E. C., Jr.↗

A communications system for the terminal area effectiveness program

The terminal area effectiveness program has the broad scope of evaluating air traffic control (ATC) procedures. One area of interest is pilot acceptance of complex ATC procedures. A means to measure this acceptance is described by studying the impact on pilots of meeting the ATC procedural requirements. The concept-testing system configuration, its operation, and its performance are discussed.

Fetter, J. L.↗

Effect of multiple path approach procedures on runway landing capacity

When using the Instrument Landing System (ILS) all aircraft must follow a straight line approach path before landing. The Microwave Landing System (MLS) will allow use of differing curved approach paths. The objective of this research is to find out whether the introduction of MLS and consequently multiple approach paths can bring an increase in runway landing capacity. A model is developed which is capable of computing the expected ultimate landing runway capacity, under ILS and MLS conditions, when aircraft population characteristics and Air Traffic Control separation rules are given. This model can be applied in situations when only a horizontal separation between aircraft approaching a runway is allowed, as well as when both vertical and horizontal separations are possible. Results suggest that an increase in runway landing capacity, caused by introducing the MLS-described multiple approach paths, is to be expected only when an aircraft population consists of aircraft with significantly differing approach velocities and particularly in situations when a vertical separation can be applied.

Tosic, V.↗

Microwave holographic imaging of aircraft with spaceborne illuminating source

The conceptual development of a method for the high angular resolution and accurate angular position estimates for the surveillance and traffic control of aircraft is considered. A target volume several hundred kilometers in diameter is illuminated by a CW microwave source located on a satellite in geosynchronous orbit. Signals are received by a large array of random, conformally located receiving elements. Each element receives the direct signal from the satellite plus signals reflected from aircraft in the illuminated volume. Coherent combination of the signals received from the individual elements permits the equivalent of holographic imaging or multiple beam formation from which the useful target data can be obtained.

Berkowitz, R. S.↗

The terminal area automated path generation problem

The automated terminal area path generation problem in the advanced Air Traffic Control System (ATC), has been studied. Definitions, input, output and the interrelationships with other ATC functions have been discussed. Alternatives in modeling the problem have been identified. Problem formulations and solution techniques are presented. In particular, the solution of a minimum effort path stretching problem (path generation on a given schedule) has been carried out using the Newton-Raphson trajectory optimization method. Discussions are presented on the effect of different delivery time, aircraft entry position, initial guess on the boundary conditions, etc. Recommendations are made on real-world implementations.

Hsin, C.-C.↗

Behavior of queues at signalized intersections in heavy traffic

This paper derives the asymptotic behavior of traffic queues at signalized intersections when the excess of departure capacity over arrivals approaches zero from above. The most interesting result is that the distribution of queue length approaches a negative exponential, with fewer restrictive assumptions than hitherto known. The main improvement results from more precise use of a combinatorial lemma of Spitzer, giving the maximum of the partial sums of a sequence of independent identically distributed random variables, plus some specific constructive probability calculations, many of them involving the Fourier transform. New results are presented on the probability that the queue be below a fixed bound and/or on the probability that the queue be empty. Applications to on-line estimators for real-time traffic control are suggested.

Posner, E. C.↗

An overview of aviation weather services

Safety of flight is the first concern of the aviation weather service, the economics of air transportation is a second major interest. Weather is a significant causal factor impacting on the efficiency of air transportation. A discussion is presented on the functions of various weather service agencies as they relate to one another in the dissemination of information to the pilot and to the air traffic controller. Improvements in the aviation weather service and weather knowledge are cited as future goals. The weather service at the present time is an efficient system but future aviation objectives dictate more improvements are needed (especially in automation technology) to enhance flight planning and for safe and efficient flight execution.

Connolly, J. W.↗

NASA aviation safety reporting system

Reports describing various types of communication problems are presented along with summaries dealing with judgment and decision making. Concerns relating to the ground proximity warning system are summarized and several examples of true terrain proximity warnings are provided. An analytic study of reports relating to profile descents was performed. Problems were found to be associated with charting and graphic presentation of the descents, with lack of uniformity of the descent procedures among facilities using them, and with the flight crew workload engendered by profile descents, particularly when additional requirements are interposed by air traffic control during the execution of the profiles. A selection of alert bulletins and responses to them were reviewed.

Source record↗

Adaptation of time line analysis program to single pilot instrument flight research

A data base was developed for SPIFR operation and the program was run. The outputs indicated that further work was necessary on the workload models. In particular, the workload model for the cognitive channel should be modified as the output workload appears to be too small. Included in the needed refinements are models to show the workload when in turbulence, when overshooting a radial or glideslope, and when copying air traffic control clearances.

Hinton, D. A.↗

The year for shaping a digital operations R&D program

Digital systems which deal with functions outside the aircraft in commercial aviation are discussed with attention to navigation and communication. New systems of air traffic control (ATC) are described, including time division multiple access (TDMA) to ground-based ATC units and to the Navstar/GPS (global positioning system). Such innovations are expected to come on-line before the mid-1980s, and greatly increase air safety, while at the same time making a pilot's work easier.

Reid, H. J. E., Jr.↗

Aircraft developments that hold promise for increased compatability with an advanced ATC system

In terms of an advanced air traffic control environment, consideration is given to a wake vortex advisory system and V/STOL aircraft. The terminal configured vehicle program is described. Procedures for all-weather operations are reviewed and the search and rescue satellite system is described. Predictions are made concerning an advanced national aviation system, digital communications, integrated control technology, and cockpit avionics. Human factors in both general and civil aviation are discussed.

Hodge, K. E.↗

Test-configuration identifiers

Distributed computer system, which allows great deal of interaction within totally synchronized environment, comprises test system that presents systematic approach for identifying test configurations for large complex systems such as submarines, aircraft, or air traffic controllers.

Sumrall, W. D.↗

Operational benefits from the terminal configured vehicle

The NASA Terminal Configured Vehicle is a flying laboratory used to conduct research and development on improved airborne systems (including avionics) and operational flight procedures, with particular emphasis on utilization in the terminal area environment. The objectives of this technology development activity, focused on conventional transport aircraft, are to develop and demonstrate improvements which can lead to increased airport and runway capacity, increased air traffic controller productivity, energy efficient terminal area operations, reduced weather minima with safety, and reduced community noise by use of appropriate procedures. This paper discusses some early results of this activity in addition to defining present efforts and future research plans.

Reeder, J. P.↗

Transfer functions

The vulnerability of electronic equipment to carbon fibers is studied. The effectiveness of interfaces, such as filters, doors, window screens, and cabinets, which affect the concentration, exposure, or deposition of carbon fibers on both (internal and external) sides of the interface is examined. The transfer function of multilayer aluminum mesh, wet and dry, polyurethane foam, and window screen are determined as a function of air velocity. FIlters installed in typical traffic control boxes and air conditioners are also considered.

Taback, I.↗

Sixty years of aeronautical research, 1917-1977

The history of Langley Research Center and its contributions to solving problems related to flight over the past six decades is recounted. Technical innovations described include those related to air craft construction materials, jet and rocket propulsion, flight testing and simulation, wind tunnel tests, noise reduction, supersonic flight, air traffic control, structural analysis, computational aerodynamics, and fuel efficiency.

Anderton, D. A.↗

Operational benefits from the Terminal Configured Vehicle

The objective of Terminal Configured Vehicle (TCV) research activity is to provide improvements which lead to increased airport and runway capacity, increasing air traffic controller productivity, energy efficient terminal area operations, reduced weather minima with safety, and reduced community noise by use of appropriate measures. Some early results of this research activity are discussed, and present and future research needs to meet the broad research objectives are defined. Particular consideration is given to the development of the TCV B-737 aircraft, the integration of the TCV with MLS, and avionics configurations, flight profiles, and manually controlled approaches for TCV. Some particular test demonstrations are discussed.

Reeder, J. P.↗

Simulation study of the effect of fuel-conservative approaches on ATC procedures and terminal area capacity

Fuel-conservative procedures have been investigated using real-time air traffic control simulations linked to two piloted simulators. The fuel-conservative procedures studied were profile descents and two types of landing approaches. The investigation determined the effect of these procedures on the ATC system and terminal area capacity. It examined the mixing of aircraft executing fuel-conservative approaches with those executing conventional approaches. The results indicate a systems fuel savings for the landing approaches under all tested conditions except at, or near, maximum system capacity. Also, there is a fuel savings and reduced controller workload for the profile descent procedures.

Tobias, L.↗

Can low-cost VOR and Omega receivers suffice for RNAV - A new computer-based navigation technique

It is shown that although RNAV is particularly valuable for the personal transportation segment of general aviation, it has not gained complete acceptance. This is due, in part, to its high cost and the necessary special-handling air traffic control. VOR/DME RNAV calculations are ideally suited for analog computers, and the use of microprocessor technology has been suggested for reducing RNAV costs. Three navigation systems, VOR, Omega, and DR, are compared for common navigational difficulties, such as station geometry, siting errors, ground disturbances, and terminal area coverage. The Kalman filtering technique is described with reference to the disadvantages when using a system including standard microprocessors. An integrated navigation system, using input data from various low-cost sensor systems, is presented and current simulation studies are noted.

Hollaar, L. A.↗