Landing planes at busy airports can be a challenging work of aerial ballet, and this week, NASA is testing a computerized choreographer to handle the job in the skies over Washington state.
The tests, supervised by NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, are part of a series of flights known as Air Traffic Management Technology Demonstration, or ATD-1.
Three research airplanes have been outfitted with NASA-developed software that keeps track of the speed and position of the airplanes as they approach an airport.
The flight deck interval management software automatically calculates how fast the planes should be traveling to maintain the proper spacing between them, and displays that information on a tablet in the planes’ cockpits.
The software can predict the moment when an airplane touches down within a few seconds. That information should help pilots and ground controllers plot the planes’ routes more easily and efficiently. The payoff comes in the form of fuel savings, noise and pollution reduction and fewer flight delays.
NASA’s Langley Research Center in Virginia and Ames Research Center in California played key roles in developing the software, but the Pacific Northwest provides more open space for trying out the system under real-world conditions.
A Honeywell Dassault Falcon business jet is taking on the role of prima ballerina for this week’s tests. It broadcasts speed and position data to a Honeywell Boeing 757 based out of Seattle’s Boeing Field, and to a United Airlines Boeing 737 based out of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
During each test flight, the three jets conduct the aviation equivalent of a pas de trois – with Grant County International Airport in Moses Lake, Wash., serving as the primary stage.
“It’s a very simple ‘follow the leader’ operation that is easy to execute by the flight crew,” Sheri Brown, ATD-1 project manager at Langley Research Center, said in NASA’s preview of the tests.
Performances are taking place all this week, but NASA says the initial ATD-1 flights were already “very successful.” Here’s a Twitter recap of today’s test:
Things have improved a little since this pic yesterday. Neither rain nor snow, etc. can stop @NASAAero ATD-1 flight test in Seattle. pic.twitter.com/fUgnOF6WrS
— NASA_Langley (@NASA_Langley) February 7, 2017
We are using 2 @Honeywell_Aero and 1 @united planes to test airborne traffic management aircraft spacing technology in Washington state. pic.twitter.com/vSoHZedmql
— NASA_Langley (@NASA_Langley) February 7, 2017
This @NASAAero flight test works on a "follow the leader" arrival principle. Here's the leader – a @Honeywell_Aero Falcon biz jet. pic.twitter.com/we4eXDFwwW
— NASA_Langley (@NASA_Langley) February 7, 2017
Reporting from onboard the Honeywell Boeing 757 aircraft before takeoff for today's tests of interval mngmnt software. pic.twitter.com/6yLyb6DvL9
— NASA Aeronautics (@NASAAero) February 7, 2017
About to take off inside a Honeywell 757. Filming for NASA's ATD-1 testing around Seattle with team lead Boeing and team member United. pic.twitter.com/YEbC8K01oz
— NASA X (@NASAXrocks) February 7, 2017
Beautiful takeoff from Boeing field. NASA's ATD-1 testing underway. pic.twitter.com/9KXDXXpxiE
— NASA X (@NASAXrocks) February 7, 2017
This is @Honeywell_Aero cockpit en route to Moses Lake testing site – not much to see above clouds. pic.twitter.com/L235OvTa0j
— NASA_Langley (@NASA_Langley) February 7, 2017
The aircraft spacing computer tool is displayed on an electronic flight bag tablet in cockpit. More here: https://t.co/PPvmcm3UNC pic.twitter.com/nIMiuIU9GY
— NASA_Langley (@NASA_Langley) February 7, 2017
Displays on board show technology at work – planes follow each other using computer precise spacing guidance. 757 is shown in black. pic.twitter.com/lIMlonSsAj
— NASA_Langley (@NASA_Langley) February 7, 2017
And we do a go around over Moses Lake – lining up for another test scenario. It's a beautiful day to fly and test! pic.twitter.com/qlJuBU4Mzy
— NASA_Langley (@NASA_Langley) February 7, 2017
Flight tests also require test engineers, directors from us, @BoeingAirplanes and @Honeywell_Aero. Cool engineering set up! pic.twitter.com/SXVBNx8Fzl
— NASA_Langley (@NASA_Langley) February 7, 2017
On board 737. https://t.co/90bmabS8Ha
— NASA Aeronautics (@NASAAero) February 7, 2017
Brian Baxley from NASA Langley Research Center at 10000 feet speaking about the benefits of ATD-1 for the general public. pic.twitter.com/nDWRRJEJlE
— NASA X (@NASAXrocks) February 7, 2017
The 757 performed beautifully today. ATD-1 testing was very successful. Looking forward to tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/OJ85D8FTyQ
— NASA X (@NASAXrocks) February 8, 2017
Stay tuned for more about ATD-1 as the test flights continue. And stay tuned for the sequel as well: NASA researchers already have started putting ATD-2 through its paces in a 360-degree airport simulator at Ames Research Center.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9_1-2C-9KA
For more about the ATD-1 flights, check out the report on Boeing Field’s Centerline blog and NASA’s media advisory.