18th annual conference on manual control.pdf - Acgsc.org

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL OF SIMULATED AIRCRAFT
WITH AND WITHOUT COCKPIT TRAFFIC DISPLAYS*
Sheryl L. Chappell John G. Kreifeldt
Computer Sciences Corp. Dept. of Engineering Design
NASA Ames Research Center Tufts University
Moffett Field, CA Medford, MA
ABSTRACT
This study examines the air traffic control of air carrier
and general aviation simulated aircraft with and without a
cockpit display of traffic information (CDTI). Air traffic
controllers provided spacing and sequencing for air carrier
type simulators flown by airline pilots and small twin
engine/single engine lower-fidelity simulators flown by general
aviation pilots on an approach to landing. Some of
these aircraft had CDTI, a graphic representation of the
position of other aircraft relative to his/her aircraft and
the navigational aids.
Differences in the air traffic control were found due
to aircraft type and the presence of a CDTI. There was no
difference due to CDTI in aircraft separation violations.
Two air carrier aircraft were within one nautical mile
lateral separation and 950 feet vertically for a longer
period of time than two general aviation (GA) aircraft or an
air carrier and GA aircraft. Two GA aircraft were within
one mile longer than an air carrier and a GA aircraft.
The variance of intercrossing times at the middle
marker between an aircraft and the previous aircraft was
greater for aircraft with CDTI and for air carrier aircraft.
The number and type of controller/pilot communications
were different for the conditions of simulator type and
presence of CDTI. Of those communication types showing
differences in frequency due to the presence of a CDTI, all
except heading changes occured more often to and from an
aircraft with a CDTI. For example, the controller gave more
traffic advisories and had more questions for an aircraft
with a CDTI. Those aircraft with CDTI had more communications
of all types than those without CDTI. The airline aircraft
in general, had more communications but the smaller
aircraft had more communications concerning heading changes.
Air traffic control of the aircraft in this simulation
showed similar characteristics to the current aviation system.
For example, the air carrier aircraft were given speed
and altitude changes while the GA aircraft were given
* Supported by NASA Grant NSG 2156 to Tufts University.
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