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NASA SimLabs News |
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Newsletter Scrapbook
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Volume 4, Issue 4http://www.simlabs.arc.nasa.govOctober 2004TABLE OF CONTENTSWelcome New Subscribers!
1. NASA SimLabs Has ”ACES” Up Its SleeveNASA is facing up to a tough question: how to assess the impact of proposed upgrades to the National Airspace System (NAS) intended to tackle the dramatically increased traffic levels forecasted in the coming decades. The Airspace Concept Evaluation System (ACES) may be the answer, and the payoff will be greater efficiency and reduced delays achieved by focusing resources on the upgrades that will have the highest return on investment.
The Virtual Airspace Modeling and Simulation (VAMS) Project is developing ACES to simulate system-wide operations. ACES uses a large-scale, distributed simulation framework to model the propagation of traffic flow disturbances throughout the NAS. A new ACES Lab is part of the NASA SimLabs suite of simulation facilities and is scheduled to become operational in November 2004. ACES provides a flexible NAS simulation and modeling environment that can assess the impact of new NAS tools, concepts, and architectures, including those that represent a significant departure from the existing NAS operational paradigm. ACES modeling services are available to other government agencies as well as the private sector. ACES uses an agent-based modeling approach to represent the individual behaviors of airspace participants and to capture the critical ripple effect of one user’s actions on other system participants. It currently models Traffic Flow Management, Air Traffic Control, Airline Operations Centers, aircraft, en route winds, and airport operating conditions, across multiple sectors and multiple airports. On-going enhancements will add the effects of weather, interactive models, communications, navigation and surveillance technologies, and economic impacts. As new concepts evolve, the individual models can be replaced. The aviation research community can play its “ace” by utilizing the ACES tool to make decisions on changes to the NAS. Understanding the benefits of upgrades before large investments are made will ensure that research and development dollars are wisely spent.
2. Obstacle Clearance Zones for New Large AircraftPicture this. It’s 2006. You’re piloting a new Airbus A380 on approach to Kennedy International Airport when just 30 feet over the threshold the tower issues a “go-around” (an instruction to abort your landing). There’s debris on the runway from another aircraft’s blown tire. Your training and experience kick in as you initiate the go-around procedure. You quickly push the throttles forward and set go-around thrust, retract the wing flaps, and wait for the engines to spool up to nearly full power and for the flap changes to take effect. You ensure a positive climb, then raise the landing gear. All while you are working with your copilot, who is communicating with a tower controller who is providing air traffic information, heading and altitude instructions.
The Panel recently completed a study on the NASA SimLabs B747-400 flight simulator, aimed at evaluating pilot-aircraft performance during balked landing operations. This effort is in support of an international effort being led by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Their goal is to develop mathematical pilot models for use in defining obstacle free clearance zones for future new large aircraft (NLA). To capture extreme low probability aborts, it was essential that all forms of environmental and random variations be simulated. Environmental variation included a range of winds and turbulence conditions. Random variations were of two kinds: intra-pilot (differences from occasion to occasion), and inter-pilot variation (differences between pilots). Thirteen pilot subjects flew over 700 total approaches during the course of the study. Local controller calls to abort occurred at heights of 10 feet, 20 feet, 35 feet, and 50 feet. Aircraft position relative to intended flight track, as well as audio and video recordings were collected. Pilots completed pre- and post-flight questionnaires to supplement the simulation data. The data collected will ultimately be used to define the lateral and vertical dispersions for NLA, a vital component in the safe design of flight procedures and airport modifications.
3. The Pilot’s Perspective on End-around TaxiwaysSimLabs recently supported the FAA in moving one step closer to approval of End-Around Taxiways (EAT) at Dallas / Fort Worth International Airport. Using the Crew-Vehicle System Research Facility (CVSRF), an FAA and MITRE human factors team conducted a study which evaluated a pilots' ability on departure to distinguish between an aircraft on the EAT and an aircraft crossing the runway downfield. The CVSRF was chosen because of its ability to replicate the EAT aircraft and crossing aircraft with a high degree of fidelity.
End-Around Taxiways will help with airport congestion and potentially reduce runway incursions. EAT have received partial approval at Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport. The researchers are studying the human factors issues associated with EAT operation with a plan to establish new standards for all airports that would use EAT operations. “We are very concerned with potential pilot "desensitization" or even confusion when EAT operations are on-going and an assumption might be made that a crossing aircraft is on the EAT,” says Mark Reisweber, FAA engineering psychologist. An FAA report including results from the CVSRF study is in progress.
4. Mars: It Was Like Being There!In August, FutureFlight Central opened it doors to over 500 enthusiastic Ames staff to view images from the Mars Exploration Rover (MER) mission. FutureFlight Central’s 360-degree panoramic viewing format provided a unique perspective of the Endurance and Bonneville craters and other sites, including stereo viewing with 3D glasses. A 20-minute narrated presentation developed with the assistance of Ames scientist, Nathalie Cabrol, explained geological features and discoveries and was well received by the attendees. Commented one visitor, “It’s as close to being on Mars as you could get.”
5. Upcoming Events and ConferencesLook for us at these future industry events: 49th Annual Air Traffic Control Association (ATCA) Conference and Exposition Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC)
6. Thinking of Doing Business with NASA SimLabs?For more information on what we can do for your needs, contact: Thomas Alderete, Assistant Division Chief for Simulation Facilities
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About Us Updated: 04/25/2005 Curator: Rod David Responsible Official: Wayne Momii
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80–125% of sector capacity 
125 - 200% of sector capacity 
>200% of sector capacity 
Newsletter -- October 2004 - NASA SimLabs -