Super density operations: identifying the operational limitations to overcome

The Joint Planning and Development Office (JPDO) has responsibility for guiding development of the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen), a multi-agency vision for aviation in the 2025 timeframe. Using 2004 as a baseline, the JPDO has projected a range of 1.4 to 3 times the number of flights as the potential aggregate demand for 2025, and in addition, projects that there will be a more diverse population of aircraft flying to a larger set of airports than current operations. As part of the vision for accommodating the increase in demand, NextGen describes at a high level the concept of "Super Density" operations, or operations that provide a higher level of throughput than can be accommodated using today\´s operating paradigms. While the JPDO refers to technology applications such as precise 4D trajectory "tubes" or Equivalent Visual Operations, a detailed concept of operations and specific set of research issues has not yet been articulated. The MITRE Corporation\´s Center for Advanced Aviation System Development (CAASD), as part of its Technology Research Program, has undertaken an effort to explore more fully the definition of Super Density operations. In order to ensure that the full scope of terminal operations was considered, the project was designed to identify the operational limitations of congested terminal airspace, rather than starting with a specific technology or procedure application. Knowing these operational limitations may help the JPDO and the larger research community better understand where research investment is needed, and what performance will be required from new procedures and technology.