Air Traffic Management

Air Traffic ManagementCalie Giangi

AgendaIntroduction to ATCPurposeBasic ServicesGeneric ElementsAirspaceATC StructureATC OperationsFuture of ATC

Air Traffic Control (ATC)Also known as air traffic management (ATM)The purpose of ATC is to ensure the safe and efficient flow of air traffic

Four Basic ServicesSeparation assurance ATC controllers are responsible for keeping aircrafts separated from each other, as well as from other hazards such as terrain or wake vorticesFlight information provide weather and airport condition updatesSearch and rescue notifying and alerting proper agencies about an aircraft in needCongestion management organizing traffic flows into congested airports and airspace

Generic Elements of ATC System

Generic Elements of ATC SystemCommunications SystemCommands/clearances are issued to aircraftsVoice radio channelsNetwork of ground stationsRange is limited to 100 nautical milesXM/Sirius are used to send non-aircraft-specific data

6Generic Elements of ATC System Navigation SystemsATC controllers ensure aircrafts fly a cleared routeEn routeLong-range coverageVHF omnidirectional range system (VOR system)Limited to line of sight communicationStations located at/near airports or on high groundApproachHigher precision requiredRunway classification: non-instrument (visual) vs. instrument

7Generic Elements of ATC System Surveillance SystemsATC controller observes and monitors traffic situationsPosition reporting crew communicates its positionRadar currently used for most domestic systemsPrimary Radars measure range by the round-trip time of an interrogation pulse reflected off of the aircraftSecondary Radars aircraft is equipped with a transponder which receives and transmits an interrogation pulse along with an ID code for the responding aircraft (ATC Radar Beacon System)Direction (antenna) and altitude (ATCRBS) are also measured

8Generic Elements of ATC System Flight and Weather Information SystemsFlight plans are managed in a central flight data processing system, distributed to various ATC facilitiesIncreasing number of computer-based decision support tools are being developed to help controllers optimize the flow of trafficCurrent conditions provided to pilots and ATC controllersExtensive weather information systems generate and distributegeneral and airport-specific forecasts and observationswinds aloft forecastshazardous weather alertspilot reports (PIREPS)

9AirspaceControlledTraffic is supervised and managed by ATCUncontrolledAircrafts not directly managed by ATCMilitary operationsAirspace is reserved for militaryCivilian aircrafts are prohibited from entering or require permission from military authorities before using it

10ATC StructureGround ControlManages aircraft and other vehicles on airport surface as they taxi to/from the runwayTower ControlManages take off and landingRadius of about 5 miles from the airport and 2500-3000 ft highTerminal Airspace ControlManages descent, initial approach, and departure phasesEn route/Center ControlManages traffic above and between terminal airspaceOceanic/International AirspaceManaged by International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)

ATC OperationsHuman-centered contract processControllers and flight crews negotiate for access to airport or airspace resourcesATC controller observes traffic situation through surveillance systemController issues commands to aircraftStandard Operating ProceduresAltitude (east vs. west)Holding patterns to delay aircraft in air when high traffic makes it difficult to move to the next sectorPriority for and equity of service (usually FCFS)Emergencies/Equipment failures

12Future of ATC SystemsNot much room for growth in USEarly plans includeIncreased use of satellite navigation systemsSurveillance systems based on ADS-BUse of time as a control parameter in trajectory-based clearancesBroad information sharing through system-wide information managementMoving controllers to a more supervisory role and shifting some ATC functions to the cockpit

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