Flight Crew and Air Traffic Controller Interactions When Conducting Interval Management Utilizing Voice and Controller Pilot Data Link Communications

Abstract

MITRE conducted this human-in-the-loop research project on Interval Management (IM) Controller Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) to investigate the integration of two advanced Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) capabilities across both the air and ground domains to uncover any complications that could arise from two key capabilities that were developed separately. The simulation study included three levels of IM clearance complexity and looked at aircraft equipped only with voice communication capability and those with both voice and CPDLC. An en route air traffic environment was simulated with 50 percent of aircraft equipped with the IM capability. Results: Most pilots and controllers in the experiment deemed the IM and CPDLC to be compatible, although the controllers seemed to have more difficulty with mixed IM equipped aircraft than with mixed CPDLC equipped aircraft. Concerns were noted for use of IM with voice communications, since the data entry requirement for the flight crew was increased when CPDLC autoload into the FMS was unavailable. Not surprisingly, this was particularly the case with the most complex IM clearances. Application: The results are intended to be used by the FAA as well as EUROCAE and RTCA when developing the technical standards for the interface between the IM and CPDLC equipment. FAA Aviation Safety (AVS) sponsors who develop the regulatory and guidance material for CPDLC and ADS-B are expected to use the results in the development of Advisory Circulars (ACs) and Technical Standard Orders (TSOs) based on the international standards material. Recommendations for consideration by these groups are provided in the Conclusions and Recommendations section of the report