Cooperative problem-solving activities in flight planning and constraints for commercial aircraft

Prior to departure, each commercial aircraft must have a flight plan from its origin to its destination, This flight plan describes the route, the altitudes, and the speeds which the plane is expected to fly for the trip, and it affects fuel consumption, safety, speed, arrival time, and passenger comfort. While this flight plan describes parameters intended for the flight, the initial flight plan is rarely followed exactly. In practice, it is common to see minor amendments to the plan, and major changes are not unusual. There are a variety of reasons why an initial flight plan might be changed enroute. The dynamic, unpredictable circumstances under which flights occur must be accommodated through changes made prior to take off or while enroute. As examples, the weather pattern may not develop as forecast, take-off may be delayed due to air traffic congestion, or the scheduled arrival time may be changed due to a runway closure. An important role in these planning activities is played by airline dispatchers working in conjunction with the ATC system and the flight crew. Within the ATC system itself there are several groups involved including the Air Traffic Control Systems Command Center (ATCSCC), which is responsible for the strategic planning and replanning for all flights nationwide each day, and the Traffic Management Units (TMUs) at Enroute Centers, which are responsible for coordinating traffic within their geographic regions. This context provides a rich, real-world setting in which to study cooperative problem-solving and the effects of technological support on such cooperation.