Using airspace simulation to assess environmental improvements from free flight and CNS/ATM enhancements

There is a general consensus between the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the aviation industry on the enormous potential for time and resource savings associated with future flights that are subject to fewer air traffic control (ATC) restrictions. In support of the free flight paradigm, the FAA is investing billions of dollars to introduce new communication, surveillance, navigation/air traffic management (CNS/ATM) technologies into the National Airspace System (NAS) and has outlined an architecture plan to modernize it. It is expected that with the deployment of these new capabilities, users will benefit from better services, such as greater wind-optimized cruise trajectories and altitudes and more efficient surface traffic operations. This paper describes the results of our free flight study, in which we used several simulation models and database tools to evaluate fuel savings and aircraft emission reductions that are associated with the planned implementation of the capabilities outlined in the NAS architecture. Specifically, this paper focuses on the approach and simulation tools that were used to analyze the fuel and emission conservation metrics by aircraft type and phase of flight.