Flight Management Interval Control for Converging Aircraft Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air traffic management systems lack efficient methods for maintaining precise time or distance separation between aircraft, especially in non-coincident and converging or parallel paths, which is crucial for safe and efficient flight operations in modernized airspace.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of Advanced Interval Management (AIM) functions within the Flight Management System (FMS) of an Interval Management (IM) aircraft, which receives information about a target aircraft and automatically sets a required time or distance separation, allowing it to maintain this separation until a planned termination point, using functions like Abeam, Fix, Track Angle, and Distance-To-Go.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If current air traffic management systems are used, then aircraft separation is maintained through conventional methods, but precise time or distance separation cannot be achieved especially in non-coincident and converging or parallel paths
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts separation parameters and flight path parameters in real-time based on the target aircraft's position, speed, and trajectory. The FMS continuously calculates and updates the following aircraft's flight path to maintain precise separation in non-coincident and converging/parallel configurations, transforming static separation standards into dynamic adaptive control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes multiple parameters simultaneously including time of arrival, distance separation, speed, and flight path angle to achieve precise interval management. By manipulating these parameters through the FMS, the system adapts to different path configurations (coincident, converging, parallel) while maintaining required separation standards.
2Measurement precision
If Advanced Interval Management functions are implemented in FMS, then precise interval management for both distance and time separations is enabled, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The FMS is enhanced with multi-functional interval management capabilities that handle both time separation and distance separation requirements within a single integrated system. The same FMS infrastructure supports coincident, converging, and parallel path configurations, eliminating the need for separate specialized systems and reducing overall complexity despite increased functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The FMS automatically calculates optimal flight paths, adjusts speed profiles, and manages separation requirements without continuous pilot intervention. The system self-regulates by continuously monitoring target aircraft position and autonomously adjusting the following aircraft's parameters, reducing the operational burden despite increased system sophistication.
3Reliability
If automatic separation maintenance is implemented, then safety and efficiency are improved, but the need for redundant systems increases costs
Solution Approach 1:
The interval management functionality is merged with the existing FMS architecture, combining navigation, performance management, and separation control into a single integrated system. This consolidation leverages existing flight-certified code and hardware resources, achieving enhanced safety and reliability without requiring separate redundant systems.
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft and method for controlling a following aircraft in reference to a target aircraft including receiving, in a flight management system of the following aircraft, information related to the target aircraft, setting a required time of arrival at an achieve-by-point abeam of the target aircraft target reference point, and after the achieve-by-point is reached, flying the following aircraft to maintain a fixed separation until a defined termination point has been reached.