Improved configuration management for greener approaches: evaluation of a novel pilot support concept

Abstract Carrying out a safe approach under fluctuating wind and weather conditions while following air traffic control (ATC) instructions imposes a significant workload on the flight crew, especially with the limited systems support and information availability on the flight deck today. Individual skills of the pilots including correct anticipation of the weather situation and ATC instructions are necessary to optimally manage speed and configuration changes of the aircraft. Consequently, approach operations at busy airports are virtually always noisier and less fuel-efficient than technically possible. The DYNCAT project combined all relevant data sources (on-board operational data, ATC commands, noise measurement data, surrounding traffic, and weather information) to evaluate individual approach operations in their full context, exemplarily for the Airbus A320 at Zurich airport. Based on this analysis, an operational concept was developed to support pilots and controllers through extended information exchange, thus increasing predictability of the lateral and vertical flight profiles for both sides. A central component is a novel airborne energy management assistance system including a configuration management functionality, implemented through an extension of the Flight Management System (FMS) and Cockpit Display System (CDS) capabilities. These features were evaluated regarding operational (pilots’ workload and situational awareness) and environmental (fuel burn and noise exposure levels) improvements through piloted simulator trials on a fixed-based test bench. The present partial and initial implementation of the functions for the Airbus A320 family evaluates favourably with respect to the above criteria when compared with the state of the art, i.e., support by current FMS functions.