Plans for the second phase of the Free Flight airspace system modernisation have been revealed by the US Federal Aviation Administration.
Free Flight Phase 2 will run from 2003 to 2005 and involve the wider deployment of air traffic management tools being fielded during Phase 1, as well as development of new capabilities, including controller-pilot datalink communications (CPDLC).
During Phase 1, software tools are being fielded at a limited number of US air traffic control centres to improve airspace management by helping controllers make decisions. The FAA says the initiative has been successful.
At Indianapolis, the conflict probe has helped controllers shorten routes and save about $1 million a month in fuel costs. At Dallas/ Fort Worth, the traffic management adviser has increased arrival rate by 6%, while the passive final approach spacing tool has increased runway operations by six aircraft an hour, the FAA says.
These and other tools will be deployed across the USA. In addition, the FAA will develop and deploy a tool to allow controllers to evaluate the impact of flow management re-routing strategies.
Source: Flight International
