Flight testing Time and Energy Managed Operations (TEMO)

The expected growth in air traffic combined with an increased public concern for the environment, have forced legislators to rethink the current air traffic system design. The current air traffic system operates at its capacity limits and is expected to lead to increased delays if traffic levels grow even further. Both in the United States and Europe, research projects have been initiated to develop the future Air Transportation System (ATS) to address capacity, and environmental, safety and economic issues. To address the environmental issues during descent and approach, a novel Continuous Descent Operations (CDO) concept, named Time and Energy Managed Operations (TEMO), has been developed co-sponsored by the Clean Sky Joint Undertaking. It uses energy principles to reduce fuel burn, gaseous emissions and noise nuisance whilst maintaining runway capacity. Different from other CDO concepts, TEMO optimizes the descent by using energy management to achieve a continuous engine-idle descent, while satisfying time constraints on both the Initial Approach Fix (IAF) and the runway threshold. As such, TEMO uses timemetering at two control points to facilitate flow management and arrival spacing. TEMO is in line with SESAR step 2 capabilities, since it proposes 4D trajectory management and is aimed at providing significant environmental benefits in the arrival phase without negatively affecting throughput, even in high density and peak-hour operations. In particular, TEMO addresses SESAR operational improvement (OI) TS-103: Controlled Time of Arrival (CTA) through use of datalink [1]. TEMO has been validated starting from initial performance batch studies at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3, up to Human-in-the-Loop studies in realistic environments using a moving base flight simulator at TRL 5 ([2]-[6]). In this paper the definition, preparation, performance and analysis of a flight test experiment is described with the objective to demonstrate the ability of the TEMO algorithm to provide accurate and safe aircraft guidance toward the Initial Approach Fix (IAF), and further down to the Stabilization Point (1000 ft AGL), to demonstrate the ability of the TEMO algorithm to meet absolute time requirements at IAF and/or runway threshold and to evaluate the performance of the system under test (e.g. fuel usage).Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Time and Energy Managed Operations (TEMO): Cessna Citation II Flight Trials

From 9-26 October 2015 the Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR) in cooperation with Delft University of Technology (DUT) has executed Clean Sky flight trials with the Cessna Citation II research aircraft. The trials consisted of several descents and approaches at the Eelde airport near Groningen, demonstrating the TEMO (Time and Energy Managed Operations) concept developed in the Clean Sky Joint Technology Initiative research programme as part of the Systems for Green Operations (SGO) Integrated Technology Demonstrator. A TEMO descent aims to achieve an energy-managed idle-thrust continuous descent operation (CDO) while satisfying ATC time constraints, to maintain runway throughput. An optimal descent plan is calculated with an advanced on-board real-time aircraft trajectory optimisation algorithm considering forecasted weather and aircraft performance. The optimised descent plan was executed using the speed-on-elevator mode of an experimental Fly-By-Wire (FBW) system connected to the pitch servo motor of the Cessna Citation II aircraft. Several TEMO conceptual variants have been flown. It has been demonstrated that the TEMO concept enables arrival with timing errors below 10 seconds. The project was realised with the support of CONCORDE partners Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) and PildoLabs from Barcelona, and the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI).Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Health Indicators of Pregnant Women in Tonkolili District, Rural Sierra Leone

Despite having reported one of the highest maternal mortality ratios and neonatal mortality rates in the world, surprisingly little is known about the general health status of pregnant women in rural parts of Sierra Leone. Malaria, anaemia and malnutrition are known contributors to adverse pregnancy outcomes. Although their prevalence is known to be high, the burden of these conditions in the rural pregnant population remains unknown. Our study aimed to gain more insight into the health status of pregnant women. An observational retrospective descriptive study was conducted at the Lion Heart Medical Centre using antenatal care (ANC) registers. The study revealed high prevalence of malaria (35.2%), maternal undernutrition (10.4%) and anaemia (65.9%). The proportion of teenage pregnancies in the ANC population was 16.4%. Both malaria and anaemia were more prevalent in this group, with odds ratios of 2.1 and 1.7, respectively. The findings reveal alarming high rates of anaemia, acute undernutrition and malaria among pregnant women and high numbers of pregnancy among adolescents, with increased health risks. These results will be used to advocate for a malnutrition program, specifically for pregnant women. Our study further emphasises the importance of preventing malaria and anaemia in pregnant women

Costs and benefits of an individual learning account (ILA):A simulation analysis for the Netherlands

This study analyses costs and benefits of a public-private funded individual learning account (ILA) for the labour force in the Netherlands. We consider an ILA that is funded by subsidies targeted at low- and medium-educated workers and co-funded by training levies as a share of the wage bill. We simulate two alternative steady-state scenarios about the uptake of resources and increase in training activity, using a lifecycle model of human capital investments. We derive predictions for gross earnings, income inequality and costs (training subsidies and tax deductions) and benefits (tax revenues and fewer unemployment benefits). Our results show how the balance of costs and benefits depends on the interplay between take-up rates, returns to training and the deadweight loss of subsidizing an ILA for the whole labour force. Our model and results contribute to policy trade-offs about the introduction of ILA's to stimulate the resilience of the labour force

Dambo Farming In Zimbabwe: Water Management, Cropping and Soil Potentials for Smallholder Farming in the Wetlands

A Conference Paper on water harvesting in Zimbabwe.Although a large part of the Zimbabwean population is living in and dependent on semi- arid and sandy-soil areas, the cultivation of the wetlands is still severely restricted by law. As during colonial times, environmental arguments are used to prevent communal farmers from using the wetlands. The question is not whether or not the wetlands should be used, but how they should be used. In this paper we hope to show that a sustainable and deliberate use of the wetlands by communal farmers is desirable and possible. Access to wetlands can give farmers an opportunity to stabilize their production and by doing so improve their food security. A change in the legislation is needed for this to be possible. Hopefully, the importance of the (potential) use of the wetlands and water harvesting will be more widely recognized by policy makers and others involved in rural development in the communal areas. To contribute to the debate about wetlands we present a case study of Mr. Phiri Maseko's form and the Zvishavane Water Resources Project (ZWRP). Community-based water projects are the main focus of the ZWRP.Cornell International Institute for Food & Agriculture development (CIIFAD); Rockefeller Foundation & Swedish Aid Agency SAREC

A Performance Assessment of an Airborne Separation Assistance System Using Realistic Complex Traffic Flows

This paper presents the results from a study that investigates the performance of a tactical Airborne Separation Assistance System (ASAS) in en route airspace, under varying demand levels, with realistic traffic flows. The ASAS concept studied here allows flight crews of equipped aircraft to perform separation from other air traffic autonomously. This study addresses the tactical aspects of an ASAS using aircraft state data (i.e. position and velocity) to detect and resolve projected conflicts. In addition, use of a conflict prevention system helps ASAS-equipped aircraft avoid maneuvers that may cause new conflicts. ASAS-capable aircraft are equipped with satellite-based navigation and Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) for transmission and receipt of aircraft state data. In addition to tactical conflict detection and resolution (CD&R), a complete, integrated ASAS is likely to incorporate a strategic CD&R component with a longer look-ahead time, using trajectory intent information. A system-wide traffic flow management (TFM) component, located at the FAA command center helps aircraft to avoid regions of excessive traffic density and complexity. A Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), as used today is the system of last resort. This integrated approach avoids sole reliance on the use of the tactical CD&R studied here, but the tactical component remains a critical element of the complete ASAS. The focus of this paper is to determine to what extent the proposed tactical component of ASAS alone can maintain aircraft separation at demand levels up to three times that of current traffic. The study also investigates the effect of mixing ASAS-equipped aircraft with unequipped aircraft (i.e. current day) that do not have the capability to self-separate. Position and velocity data for unequipped aircraft needs to be available to ASASequipped. Most likely, for this future concept, state data would be available from instrument flight rules (IFR) aircraft, equipped with at least ADS-B transmission capability. The objective is to reduce the number of losses of separation to a minimum and investigate the limits of tactical-only CD&R. Thus, the objective is not, expressly, to achieve zero losses of separation with tactical ASAS because this is one component of an integrated ASAS

Ammonia volatilization from intensively managed dairy pastures

The objectives of this thesis are (i) to quantify NH 3 volatilization from grassland, (ii) to gain understanding of the NH3 volatilization processes on grassland and (iii) to study measures how to reduce NH 3 volatilization from grassland as such and on farm scale. Volatilization of NH3 was studied of N fertilized grassland under grazing by dairy cows, of mown N fertilized grassland during regrowth and of cattle slurry application.Grazed pastures on a loamy soil showed large variations in NH 3 emissions between individual cuts. Rainfall and sward management affected NH 3 volatilization rate. There was not much difference in NH 3 emissions between years. At a N fertilizer rate of 550 kg ha -1yr -1, NH 3 losses were 8.5%, 7.7% and 6.9% in 1987, 1988 and 1990, respectively, of the N returned to the sward in urine and faeces. At 250 kg N ha -1yr -1they were 3.1 % and 3.3 % in 1988 and 1990, respectively. Whole season measurements are required to obtain reliable data on NH 3 volatilization. Volatilization of NH 3 was related to N excretion and N application rate. A calculation model was developed to estimate NH 3 volatilization from N application rate. Measurements on the same soil showed that a mown-only sward released NH 3 during a few days after fertilization with calcium nitrate (100 kg N ha -1). Thereafter a net uptake was observed until harvest. On average a net uptake of aerial NH3 was measured of a few kg N ha -1per regrowth period. The measured NH3 fluxes were much greater during the day than during the night. The NH3 compensation point (on average 14 μg NH 3 -N m -3) could be related to grass N content and soil water content. It is suggested that on grazed swards reabsorption of emitted NH 3 from urine and dung spots is important. Because of this micrometeorological techniques are required to determine NH 3 losses from grazed swards.Urea (U) fertilizers may emit NH 3 whereas calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) fertilizers may emit N 2 O or may be susceptible for nitrate leaching. Agronomic trials in the Netherlands (NL) confirmed the superiority of CAN to urea, whereas in the UK and Ireland U was effective as CAN, especially in the first cut. It was proved that especially the higher amount of rainfall in the UK and Ireland compared to NL caused the observed differences. Optimizing herbage yield, thereby minimizing N losses may be the best approach to decide which fertilizer to use. A calculation model was developed to improve decision analysis whether to use U or CAN. Under prevailing NL conditions for the first and second cut, it is only once every 5 and 7 years profitable to use U instead of CAN.Acidification of cattle slurry with nitric acid resulted in marked reductions in NH 3 emissions. Micrometeorological. experiments showed reductions of on average 85, 72 and 55% for acidified slurry with pH values of 4.5, 5.0 and 6.0, respectively. The measured losses could be related to temperature, slurry pH, potential water evaporation and NH+4concentration. It was possible to calculate which pH would be required to obtain a certain reduction in NH 3 emission.Losses of NH 3 occur during slurry application, housing, slurry storage, grazing, fertilizer application and from crops, in descending order of importance. The main strategies to reduce potential NH 3 loss are lowering the excretion of urea with urine and/or reducing the rate of NH 3 from slurry loss by technical means. However, reducing NH 3 loss may increase other N losses. To prevent this a farm scale approach is required. Modelling showed great scope for reducing NH 3 3 losses and N budget surpluses on dairy farms by improved management

Whose national emergency? Caboolture and Kirribili? or Milikapiti and Mutitjulu?

Keynote Address - Ms Marion Scrymgour MLA Member for Arafura, Northern Territory Government. Other Speakers - Professor Gavin Brown AO FAA, Vice-Chancellor and Principal, University of Sydney; Mr Neville Perkins OAM, Master of Ceremonies; Mr Charles Madden, Welcome to country; Ms Michelle Blanchard, Acting Director, Koori Centre; Mr Nicholas Beeton, Ms Kerry Wallace-Massone, Ms Jade Swan Prize winners, Dr Charles Perkins AO Annual Memorial Prize