Why is ADS-B In technology important for airlines?

SafeRoute+ Interval Management (IM) capability

Editorial

Why is ADS-B Technology Important for Airlines and Global Aviation Authorities?

Keeping all the flights on time, and safe, puts a lot of pressure on controllers and flight crews. That’s one of the reasons DO-260B was mandated. Anyone familiar with the mandates knows airlines around the globe have either updated, or are currently equipping their aircraft with ADS-B avionics. Aircraft equipped with ADS-B Out continually transmit their location, intention, speed, direction and altitude in real-time enabling controllers to coordinate efficient and safe air traffic flow, especially during peak flight times. While Air Traffic Control (ATC) can see the information, airlines cannot benefit from it because there are only a few new production aircraft offered with ADS-B In equipment. SafeRoute+ from ACSS--an L3Harris and Thales company--is a low-cost, retrofit solution that brings all of the real-time situational awareness benefits of ADS-B directly into the flight deck. American Airlines, the Federal Aviation Administration and ACSS have entered into the ADS-B In Retrofit Spacing (AIRS) program to install and document ADS-B In benefits and to report the benefits of the program to the broader industry. While American Airlines is actively installing SafeRoute+ on their entire A321 fleet, recent events and the downturn in the market may present opportunities for other airlines and agencies to start running small-scale demonstrations while installation impact is low and the opportunities for evaluation remain strong with the unfortunate result of less air traffic. Below are the top 5 reasons why now is a good time for airlines and aviation authorities to invest in ADS-B In.

L3Harris

Nov 25, 2020 | 3 MINUTE Read

1. Efficiency and procedure development

SafeRoute+ enables pilots to maintain Visual Flight Rules (VFR) arrival rates under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions enabling better decision making to optimize flight paths, altitudes and spacing.

According to Captain Dave Surridge, A320 captain and senior manager of optimization, policies and procedures for American Airlines, “that bigger picture enables us to make better decisions about how the current stage of the flight is going to be conducted. We’re hoping to see better spacing on final, better use of terminal airspace, and a reduction in go-arounds.”

With the current reduction in air traffic, pilots and controllers may have an opportunity to focus on these new procedures during revenue flights, aiding in the validation of the benefit assumptions.

2. Situational awareness

“This new technology allows flight crews to get a more complete picture of what the ADS-B equipped aircraft around them are doing,” Captain Surridge said. “If the pilots know how fast the aircraft ahead is traveling, compared to their own speed, they can make better decisions as to when to begin slowing down during the visual approach, or whether they can turn the corner sooner, or go straight, or turn towards the runway,” he said. SafeRoute+ offers additional situational awareness to the flight crew that is, quite simply, a game changer.

“ADS-B In applications can improve efficiency, capacity, and safety and will be most advantageous to pilots and controllers because it provides much greater Airborne Situational Awareness (AIRB)... and the three capabilities that will currently deliver the greatest benefits are CDTI-Assisted Visual Separation (CAVS), In Trail Procedures (ITP) and Interval Management (IM),” said Paul Takemoto, an FAA Spokesperson.

The unparalleled accuracy of the locating capabilities of ADS-B In will provide a major step forward in reducing the number of runway incursions during low-visibility situations.

3. Low-cost retrofit solution

All it takes is a simple software upgrade to the existing TCAS 3000SP™ or T3CAS® computers, and the addition of the new ACSS ADS-B Guidance Display (AGD) to deliver unparalleled awareness of other aircraft within the broadcast area.

Airlines only need to buy the applications that fit their operations, making the solution economical.

4. Easy to use with minimal pilot training

Along with delivering advanced situational awareness capabilities, the system needs to be intuitive and easy to operate.

“Because the system uses existing navigational displays and Multi-function Control
and Display Units (MCDU), the good news on this front is there is minimal training required for flight crews to get the most out of SafeRoute+,” Captain Surridge said. “The system is very intuitive and easy to follow. Because we all are very familiar with the ACSS system and the TCAS displays, it’s a very simple transition to get familiar with the new ADS-B In displays.”

5. Current opportunities for infrastructure improvements

To fully realize the benefits of ADS-B In, global agencies need to upgrade their infrastructure equipment so aircraft equipped with the ADS-B In equipment are easily recognized by traffic controllers. Plans are in place with the FAA for the infrastructure upgrade; however, with the current reduction in flight operations, there is an opportunity to invest in the infrastructure now. This means there will be less disruption due to installs and locations are ready to support airport growth in anticipation of the industry recovery after the pandemic.