Cueing System for Near-Term Implementation of Aircraft Noise Abatement Approach Procedures

One of the main challenges to the implementation of advanced aircraft noise abatement approach procedures in the near future is the difficulty that pilots have managing the deceleration of aircraft in the presence of uncertainties in pilot response and weather conditions, and other system disturbances. In this paper, a new pilot cueing procedure that helps pilots manage the deceleration of aircraft and thereby achieve the target speed without additional aircraft automation is introduced. The cueing system, consisting of altitude/speed checkpoints ("gates") and a recommended flap schedule, was designed and evaluated in an experiment in which 15 active B767 pilots flew a desktop simulator using autoflight and flap controls. Results showed that the use of gates reduces target error to within 5 kt, which is comparable to that of electronic flap deployment cueing systems. The improved performance with gates and the positive response of the pilots to the concept suggests that gates are a viable technique that can be adapted for different types of approach procedures flown by aircraft equipped with old and new flight management systems. Furthermore, because the gates have the potential of enabling aircraft to fly consistent speed profiles, their implementation has the potential to enhance the controller's ability to predict aircraft trajectories and their future separation.