Brochures

Annual Reports

SimLabs Technical Papers

Real-Time Simulation Documentation

Gordon H. Hardy and Emily K. Lewis
Northrop Grumman Information Technology

A preliminary study of a Cockpit Display of Traffic and Wake Information for closely
spaced parallel approaches was conducted at the NASA Ames Research Center. With the
advent of the navigational precision of the Global Position System, data-link, and the
operational procedures of Required Navigational Performance, the possibility exists for
simultaneous instrument operations to runways with separations approaching those used for
simultaneous visual operations. In addition, new algorithms for predicting wake vortex
movement may allow these instrument operations to be conducted with greater safety than
for present visual operations. The study developed a cockpit display for traffic and wake
information and developed operational procedures for a mix of conventional and runway
independent aircraft to closely spaced landing areas. Results showed that very small Total
System Errors were obtained using pursuit displays and manual flight control. For aircraft
with different approach speeds, a small increase in paired aircraft approach spacing was
found to be necessary for wake separation over that for aircraft with similar approach
speeds. Performance at decision height was compatible with CAT II/IIIA operations.

Download the full paper in PDF (3.5 Mb).

A hardcopy of this document is available by request from Kathleen Starmer.