Hold Path Computation for Required Time of Arrival
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current air traffic control methods face challenges in accurately estimating when aircraft will leave a holding pattern, leading to uncertainty and increased delays, which result in decreased capacity and higher fuel burn due to excessive holding times.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for computing a holding pattern flight path that automatically adjusts the orbit length and straight leg distances to ensure an aircraft exits the pattern at a required departure time, using a processor to determine the necessary changes based on the aircraft's position and speed to meet a required time of arrival at a waypoint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If air traffic controllers use average flight time estimates based on experience to determine when to ask aircraft to leave holding patterns, then the control process is simple and quick, but the accuracy of arrival timing is poor and uncertainty is high
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the hold path parameters (specifically straight leg distances) to optimize the exit timing. By adjusting these parameters based on real-time aircraft position and speed, the system achieves precise arrival timing without requiring complex manual calculations by controllers.
Solution Approach 2:
The Flight Management System automatically computes and adjusts the hold path parameters to meet the required exit time, eliminating the need for controller intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously optimizing the flight path based on current flight conditions and the required departure time from the holding pattern.
2Reliability
If aircraft spend more time in holding patterns due to uncertainty and separation buffers, then safety margins are increased, but fuel consumption increases and capacity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary computation of the optimal hold path parameters before the aircraft enters or is in the holding pattern. By calculating the required straight leg distances in advance based on the required exit time and current aircraft state, the system ensures precise timing without requiring excessive safety buffers, thereby reducing fuel burn while maintaining reliability.
3Reliability
If controllers increase separation buffers to account for timing uncertainty, then safety is improved, but airspace capacity decreases and delays increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from the aircraft's actual position and speed measurements to compute and adjust the hold path parameters. This closed-loop approach ensures that the aircraft will exit the holding pattern at the required time with high certainty, allowing controllers to reduce separation buffers and increase airspace capacity without compromising safety.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A method and hold path computation system for automatically generating a hold path for an aircraft flying in a holding pattern, wherein the holding pattern is defined by one or more orbits within a selectable holding area are provided. The system includes a processor configured to receive a hold departure time indicating a time the aircraft is to leave the hold path to meet a required time of arrival (RTA) at a waypoint, determine a present position of the aircraft within the holding pattern, and determine an amount of time to complete a current hold orbit. The processor is also configured such that if the determined amount of time to complete a current hold orbit is less than or equal to the hold departure time, maintain the aircraft flying in the holding pattern and determine an amount of time by which to shorten the next orbit to exit the holding pattern at the hold departure time.