EMMA KELLY
Boeing ATM, the Air Traffic Alliance, Airservices Australia and Qantas will launch a six-month trial next month of arrival clearance instructions delivered to aircraft by datalink.
The trial, involving 100 flights operated by Qantas Airbus A330s and Boeing 747-400s into Sydney and Melbourne airports, will mark the first time that arrival clearance instructions have been delivered via datalink rather than voice communications, say the partners.
Efficient
Airservices Australia's Thales-based Australian Advanced Air Traffic System is the only air traffic control system capable of supporting such a trial in domestic airspace, says Boeing.
Datalink instructions from air traffic control will be uploaded into the aircraft's flight management system and will guide the aircraft on a steady descent to the airport along the most efficient path, from the beginning of descent, about 225km (120nm) from the airport, to landing.
Four-dimensional
The trial promises more efficient aircraft arrivals, fuel savings, reduced emissions and noise, as the process will allow engines to remain just above idle rather than the alternating increases and decreases in power that are required with the current stepped approach. Reduced flightcrew and air traffic controller workload is also expected, says Boeing.
The trial will provide technical data to support broader research into four-dimensional operations and define optimal flight paths. The project brings together Boeing ATM and its European counterpart, the Air Traffic Alliance, which comprises Airbus, EADS and Thales.
Source: Flight Daily News
