Browsing by Author "Golding, R."
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Item Open Access Enhancing the manual ATC control process(Cranfield University, 1996-10) Smoker, A.; Golding, R.The limitations in en-route Air Traffic Control today are generally accepted as being the workload and performance of the controller. This method of operation is known as the 'manual control process'. The manual control process is an open loop form of control, that relies heavily on controller judgement and decision making. Future developments in ATC, that use twoway datalink, and integrate air and ground systems, are expected to be delayed. This leaves the manual control process to manage the projected growth in air transport demand. An analysis was carried out of the manual control process on two sectors at the London Area & Terminal Control Centre at West Drayton. Particular attention was given to understanding complexity, the functions that controllers perform, decision making and information sources. A systems approach was taken to the analysis and used multidisciplinary research techniques. The study used naturalistic data collection. Both the ground and airborne systems were reviewed, and developments found within them, that can benefit the control process. An analysis of incidents in en-route ATC was also conducted. Proposals are made that can support an enhanced control process. These were modelled, and the results indicated that reductions in controller workload are attainable. The changes to the control process involve more close control of the vertical plane, and improved and more precise information being made available to the controller. It is suggested that aircraft flight management systems are used as a control tool, and system requirements are proposed.Item Open Access The feasibility of maintaining regional airline access to congested European airports(Cranfield University, 1997-05) Jefferson, Andy; Golding, R.; Snow, JohnAt present runway congestion in the airline industry has reached a dangerously high level. The effects of this are very costly to all parties involved; US$5bn per year in Europe in 1989 alone. The problem demands urgent attention to accommodate the expected average growth in air transport of 6% per annum. up to the year 2000. It is becoming more and more obvious, however, that the construction of new runways is not a feasible option due to both political, environmental and physical space limitations within Europe. Alternative solutions are therefore required In 1991 the European Regional Airlines Association, (ERA), produced a document entitled, "I"he Vital Link', which outlined a number of ways in which regional aircraft could use there performance differences from the larger jet aircraft to help generate extra runway capacity from existing runways. Whilst the author was a member of the ERA operations committee he developed some of these ideas further. It is the objective of this thesis to examine the ideas developed by the author from both a theoretical and practical point of view to determine the feasibility of implementing them at congestedE uropeana irports. T'heoretical simulation modelling of Manchester, Zurich and Gatwick airports was undertaken using the FAA SIMMOD airport and airspace simulation model. This produced delay time savings and changes to peak hour movement rates which were used in a cost benefit analysis model to see whether or not the procedure would make a cost saving. The practical side of the thesis focusedo n an industry questionnairet o regional airlines, major airlines and airports to obtain their views on the new proceduresa nd cases tudieso f the proceduresa t Manchestera nd Gatwick airports. Results of the work show that whilst the procedures can effectively reduce operating delays they have a lessor impact on peak hour movement rates. Optimum use of the procedures is unique to individual airports and depends on the runway operation mode, TMA airspace configuration and the type and variability of the traffic mix. Actual application of the proceduresw ill be dependanot n political and environmental restrictionsa nd likely future changesin regional airlines aircraft fleets.