Terminal area visualization tool for approach analysis

To evaluate proposed approach procedures intended to increase airfield throughput capacity the MITRE Corporation refined a fast time Monte Carlo simulation that outputs statistics (e.g., collision probability) and flight paths for thousands of synthesized scenarios. However, the simulation lacks a significant visualization capability. A subsequently developed Terminal Area Visualization (TAV) tool provides the capability to visualize flight trajectories in fast or real time using airframe and satellite imagery. The TAV tool allows the user to specify synthetic approach scenarios output from the Monte Carlo simulation (or other data sources) and simultaneously illustrates multiple perspectives of characteristics that are not clearly evident from basic statistical analyses or typically require sequential graphical analyses. Features include dynamic plan (bird´s eye) and profile views, plots of numeric data, and optional visualization of estimated wake vortex positions. This capability has been used to visually support hypotheses previously based solely on statistical output. This paper describes the need for the TAV tool, mathematical algorithms, user interface design, a case study of proposed operations for San Francisco International Airport (SFO), and other potential applications.