Balancing throughput, and safety: An autonomous, approach and landing system (AALS)

The AALS improves safety margins of the approach process by adjusting Target Separation Distance (TSD = MSSD + Spacing Buffer). The Spacing Buffer reduces left tail of the inter-arrival time distribution by shifting its mean to the right. The AALS calculates the correct Buffer Time for P = 0.05. The AALS continuously adjusts as the stochastic approach factors change over time. The AALS coupled with RTA/Self-separation can actively balance safety and throughput. RTA/Self-Separation improves runway throughput by reducing right tail (“under-utilization”) of the inter-arrival time distribution by closing any gaps in the flow.