Automated En-Route Air Traffic Control (AERA) Concept

Abstract : An Air Traffic Control (ATC) system can be developed to provide fuel efficient routings routinely, to increase controller productivity, and to reduce system errors. The following concept document describes a system called AERA, that is an evolutionary extrapolation of the many techniques that FAA has pioneered during the past decade, such as conflict alert, en route metering, Automatic Traffic Advisory and Resolution Service (ATARS), Discrete Address Beacon System (DABS), trajectory modeling and planning algorithms, and electronic tabular displays (ETABS). This concept document was prepared by a team of ATC experts to review prior work, the ongoing AERA program, and to define a total AERA concept. The review team has concluded that the concept is feasible, the degree of automation implied can be achieved with state of the art equipment, that the system can be designed so that no aircraft would be placed in hazard by system failures, and finally, that AERA has benefits that are substantially larger than its costs.