Piloted simulation of NextGen time-based taxi clearances and tailored departures

This paper describes the results of a medium-fidelity piloted flight deck simulation of future surface operations. Sixteen commercial transport pilots conducted time-based taxi-out operations at DFW airport under two next generation airspace (NextGen) implementations. In the limited NextGen implementation, time-based operations were defined by providing a taxi clearance with a commanded average speed to the pilot. In the advanced NextGen implementation, advanced avionics allowed for time-based taxi operations to be conducted with speed error-nulling algorithms and arrival time information. Results indicated that the Advanced NextGen implementation substantially improved pilots´ ability to arrive at airport traffic flow points at the required time. An additional ldquotailored departurerdquo (i.e., NextGen 4-D departure) clearance verification task assessed the impact of time-based taxi on the departure phase of flight. Results indicated that time-based taxi operations in general, and specifically the advanced NextGen implementation, might add to pilot workload during taxi out. Future research regarding the assessment and the impact of time-based taxi operations is required.