Aircraft interface with the future ATC system

The authors outline how the advantages of improved navigational accuracy can benefit both the individual aircraft and the air transportation system despite a mixed environment. The development of advanced navigation, flight planning, performance optimization, automatic guidance, and other capabilities in current and future flight management systems, together with the availability of digital communications between the airplane and ATC, suggests the need to review the potential airplane contributions to the ATC system of the future. A number of application areas utilizing current airborne flight management technology have been proposed for use with ATC that could provide significant operational benefits. These include: time-navigation applications in traffic management; multisensor navigation to provide automatic dependent surveillance; improved precision for approach, missed approach, and departure procedures; and improved navigational accuracy supporting reduced airway widths, holding pattern airspace, and aircraft separation standards. Several examples of operational benefits for operators and ATC during the transition period are identified, and the need for integrating these features into future ATC capabilities and procedures is stressed