Time-based arrival management concept with mixed FMS equipage

This paper describes a trade study on a time-based arrival management concept designed to maximize the success rate of Continuous Descent Operations (CDO) in high-density traffic. The concept assumes a mixed fleet with three types of onboard 4D guidance and control capabilities. Specifically, the airplanes in this concept are provided with flight management systems (FMS) which encompass either Required Time of Arrival (RTA), or an experimental continuous 4D guidance method called CDA-MP, or no 4D capability at all. The concept is supported by existing arrival management systems that strategically sequence the traffic to the runway and a set of meter fixes and issues meet-time advisories to the meter fixes. Automation advisories include single speed and path stretching instructions. Fast-time simulation experiments were conducted using ELASTic, a traffic simulation capability being developed at Boeing that emphasizes on detailed FMS and accurate trajectory modeling. The operational performance of the concept was evaluated for a representative traffic scenario for Atlanta International Airport. Results indicated that the concept has the potential of achieving 80% of uninterrupted CDO flights to the meter fixes with 4D unequipped aircraft for the evaluated scenario and modeling assumptions. With onboard 4D guidance, CDO success increased by around 10%. When mixing 4D guided flights with speed advised flights, the majority of the aircraft needs to be equipped with a 4D guidance capability before similar operational benefits can be achieved. The effect of tuning the arrival management system with delay absorption in the terminal area and by introducing spacing buffers at the meter fixes was also evaluated and proven to be of value to CDO success, flight delay and fuel consumption.