Ramon Lopez/WASHINGTON DC
A human factors evaluation of the automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) system has shown the technology can significantly improve pilot awareness. The tests, led by the US Cargo Airlines Association (CAA) and UPS Aviation Technologies, are being analysed by Johns Hopkins University, which is due to issue a preliminary report in December.
UPS Aviation Technologies and the CAA launched ADS-B operational trials in July as part of the US Federal Aviation Administration's Safe Flight 21 programme (Flight International, 28 July-3 August). Two of three candidate datalinks were initially tested on a dozen freighters operated by UPS, FedEx and Airborne Express. The third datalink being evaluated - the European-developed VHF Data Link Mode 4 - was added in September.
The initial application under test is the use of ADS-B and cockpit display of traffic information (CDTI) to improve a pilot's ability to acquire and identify other aircraft in visual conditions. Pilots in the trial say CDTI helped surface traffic awareness, departure, en route flight, and station keeping during in-trail or lead climbs and descents. The NASA report concludes that CDTI/ADS-B is a significant aid to visual acquisition and improves situational awareness during all phases of flight.
The CAA has long been pushing for freighters to be equipped with an ADS-B system, instead of conventional traffic alert and collision avoidance systems (TCAS II). The US National Transportation Safety Board argues that ADS-B cannot perform to TCAS standards and the technology will take too long to fully develop and field.
Meanwhile, UPS Aviation Technologies has begun installing similar equipment in 132 general aviation aircraft that will take part in the Alaska Capstone advanced flight technology demonstration set for next year.
Source: Flight International
