Free Flight: reinventing ATC-digital avionics a non-solution

The aviation industry has taken the first important step towards Free Flight-FAA acceptance. Free Flight is an alternative to the existing outdated approach to Air Traffic Management. It is a system wherein each aircraft is allowed to operate using the flight path, in all four dimensions, that is determined to be best suited by each individual operator or pilot for their aircraft. Free Flight would apply from gate to gate and to all aircraft, from the biggest jumbo jet to the smallest home built, including military aircraft. All users of the airspace system would benefit without regard to the airborne avionics. The installation of a computerized conflict probe alone will support enroute Free Flight to within 50 NM of hub airports, at all altitudes, using current separation standards. This can be accomplished by 1998.