Flight deck display of airborne traffic wake vortices

Over the coming decades, aviation operations are predicted to rise steadily, increasing the burden on already congested and constrained airports and terminal areas. It has long been recognized that a major factor governing the safe minimum separation distance between aircraft is the hazard associated with the wake generated by the preceding aircraft. A flight deck display that allows the pilot to "see" the neighboring aircraft, as well as its wake, may allow for a decrease in spacing and an increase in airport and airspace capacity, while maintaining safe separation distances from wake vortices. This research evaluates a model based on aircraft parameters that are readily available in flight to predict aircraft wake vortices in real time. Using this model, a number of graphical representations of wake symbology were created for use in a 3-D perspective view flight deck display. This research determines the feasibility of this method of wake vortex display and ascertains the most favorable symbology for use in flight deck operations