Airborne Technology for Distributed Air Traffic Management

Worldwide air traffic levels are growing at a rate expected to double the current traffic level by 2020. The current technology Air Traffic Control systems are stretched to their limit and are prone to large delays during the peak summer travel season. There is doubt that the current systems can be scaled up to meet the expected demand levels. Many Air Traffic Management automation systems have been proposed to increase controller capability, and some are in operation. While ATM automation systems will help handle more traffic, it is still doubtful that they can grow to meet the doubling in traffic levels foreseen. This paper presents an introduction to Distributed ATM – using the capability of airborne electronic systems to further relieve the controller workload. An overview of avionics capabilities is presented, followed by a detailed description of five specific examples of airborne capability that can be used to increase airspace capacity, as listed below. 1. An onboard method to control an aircraft to cross a terminal area waypoint at a Required Time of Arrival. 2. A trajectory negotiation process whereby the groundbased ATM system uses the 4D predicted trajectory computed by the aircraft, gives the aircraft RTA constraints to solve traffic conflicts, and contracts the aircraft to stay within a specified tolerance of the predicted 4D trajectory. 3. A formation flight system whereby multiple aircraft can be flown close together and controlled as a single aircraft. 4.