A methodology and initial results specifying requirements for Free Flight transitions

This paper aims to develop an operational concept and requirements for initial en route Free Flight using a simulation model of the Cleveland Air Route Traffic Control Center. The results of simulation studies of proposed implementation concepts are summarised and infrastructure requirements to transition from the current ATC system to mature Free Flight are specified. The transition path to Free Flight envisioned in this paper assumes an orderly development of technologies based on requirements derived from these studies. The purpose of this paper is to present a methodology and initial results in deriving airborne and ground-based requirements for cooperative development of the future Air Traffic Control system.