Analysis and Preliminary Results of a Concept for Detect and Avoid in the Cockpit

Pilots operating under Visual Flight Rules and not receiving Air Traffic Control radar services rely on see and avoid to remain well clear of other aircraft and avoid collisions. The DANTi (Detect and Avoid iN the cockpit) concept developed at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) leverages advancements achieved in surveillance and Detect and Avoid technologies for unmanned aircraft systems as a safety enhancing capability for pilots of manned aircraft. The DANTi concept provides traffic awareness as well as maneuvering resolution guidance to the flight crew to remain well clear. Conflict detection and resolution guidance is generated by the DAIDALUS Detect and Avoid algorithm, also developed at NASA. This paper presents the data analysis results of the NASA Langley Research Center flight tests and the results of simulation studies to evaluate DANTi's and DAIDALUS' performance. The results of the data and simulation analysis are presented in terms of severity of encounter. Preliminary results suggest that DANTi could provide substantial risk mitigation benefits and that the DAIDALUS resolution maneuvers significantly reduce the severity of the encounter and risk of collision.