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At least 289 records · Page 16

Jet transport flight operations using cockpit display of traffic information during instrument meteorological conditions: Simulation evaluation

A simulation study was undertaken to evaluate flight operations using cockpit display of traffic information (CDTI) in a conventional jet transport aircraft. Eight two-person airline flight crews participated as test subjects flying simulated terminal area approach and departure operations under instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). A fixed-base cockpit simulator configured with a full complement of conventional electromechanical instrumentation to permit full workload operations was utilized. Traffic information was displayed on a color cathode-ray tube (CRT) mounted above the throttle quadrant in the typical weather radar location. A transparent touchpanel overlay was utilized for pilot interface with the display. Air traffic control (ATC) simulation included an experienced controller and full partyline radio environment for evaluation of pilot-controlled self-separation and traffic situation monitoring tasks. Results of the study revealed the CDTI to be well received by the test subjects as a useful system which could be incorporated into an existing jet transport cockpit. Crew coordination and consistent operating procedures were identified as important considerations in operational implementation of traffic displays. Cockpit workload was increased with active CDTI tasks. However, all test subjects rated the increase to be acceptable.

Williams, David H.↗

Investigating Solar Radiation Pressure Modeling for Operations in Near Rectilinear Halo Orbit

NASA’s Gateway program will build a crew-tended station in an Earth-Moon Near Rectilinear Halo Orbit (NRHO). Deep space operations differ considerably from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) operations in the environmental modeling, orbit geometry, and propagation timespans in operations. The cislunar environment, as opposed to the LEO environment, lacks atmospheric drag and is simultaneously affected by the gravity of both the Earth and the Moon, and solar radiation pressure (SRP) has a significant effect. This paper investigates the impacts of various SRP models on prediction accuracy, attitude control accuracy, orbit determination performance, and computational burden.

Guidance↗

Managing fatigue in operational settings. 1: Physiological considerations and countermeasures

The authors consider three aspects of managing fatigue in the workplace. They provide a brief overview of important scientific findings related to sleep and circadian physiology that establish the psychobiological foundation of fatigue. Their major focus is on the relevance of these findings to operational settings. In addition, they provide examples to describe practical fatigue countermeasures that can be used in operational settings.

Review, Tutorial↗

Air Traffic Management Response to Vertiport Closure

Increasing quantities of urban air mobility operations requires consideration of various contingencies associated with novel operational tempos and airspace management practices. This paper explores a contingency scenario in which a single vertiport closes unexpectedly during high tempo operations. Dynamic re-planning is explored as a function performed both by operators using common operating procedures and through emergency assistance from air traffic control. Implications for airspace capacity, infrastructure requirements, and vehicle energy reserves are discussed.

UAM↗

Air Traffic Management Response to Vertiport Closure

Increasing quantities of urban air mobility operations requires consideration of various contingencies associated with novel operational tempos and airspace management practices. This paper explores a contingency scenario in which a single vertiport closes unexpectedly during high tempo operations. Dynamic re-planning is explored as a function performed both by operators using common operating procedures and through emergency assistance from air traffic control. Implications for airspace capacity, infrastructure requirements, and vehicle energy reserves are discussed.

UAM↗

A portable L-band voice transceiver for satellite communication

A portable L-band voice transceiver was developed as a feasibility model and can provide a half-duplex voice link to another terminal via the L-band transponder on the Applications Technology Satellite, ATS-6. The narrow band FM transceiver utilizes commercial subsystems including a UHF transceiver, provides an RF output power of 20 watts, weights less than 25 lbs., is housed in a plastic briefcase, can be powered by an automobile electrical system, and has been successfully operated with ATS-6 on numerous occasions. Design considerations and operation of the transceiver are described, along with alignment and testing procedures, packaging and cost considerations, subsystem performance requirements and overall transceiver performance characteristics.

Maruschak, J.↗

Considerations for AMI-Based Operations for Distribution Feeders

More than $5 billion in investments in advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) technologies, AMI deployments, as pervasive secondary network voltage monitoring systems, provide opportunities for utility operations and controls. This paper focuses on the considerations for AMI-based tools and techniques as the industry moves toward operationalizing such large data sets. Phase identification is a first such tool. Numerous distribution network analysis, monitoring, and control applications - including volt/volt-ampere reactive control, state estimation, and distribution automation - require accurate phase connectivity information in the system models. The phase connectivity database maintained by utilities is inaccurate because of a significant amount of missing data, restoration activities, and network reconfiguration. Existing phase identification techniques that estimate phase connectivity work well in distribution feeders that have low or no photovoltaic (PV) generation; however, they fail to identify the phases accurately when considerable PV generation is present. This work addresses the phase identification problem in the presence of high PV generation using statistical analysis methods. Further, insights into the AMI data requirements for this application in terms of data window length and resolution are provided using sensitivity analysis performed on an actual distribution feeder model of San Diego Gas & Electric Company. The results of this study show that the phase connectivity, even in the presence of high PV generation, can be accurately identified using statistical analysis of AMI data of 1 day.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Piloting considerations for terminal area operations of civil tiltwing and tiltrotor aircraft

The existing body of research to investigate airworthiness, performance, handling, and operational requirements for STOL and V/STOL aircraft was reviewed for its applicability to the tiltrotor and tiltwing design concepts. The objective of this study was to help determine the needs for developing civil certification criteria for these aircraft concepts. Piloting tasks that were considered included configuration and thrust vector management, glidepath control, deceleration to hover, and engine failure procedures. Flight control and cockpit display systems that have been found necessary to exploit the low-speed operating characteristics of these aircraft are described, and beneficial future developments are proposed.

Hindson, William S.↗

How To Make the Most of Your Human: Design Considerations for Single Pilot Operations

Reconsidering the function allocation between automation and the pilot in the flight deck is the next step in improving aviation safety. The current allocation, based on who does what best, makes poor use of the pilot's resources and abilities. In some cases it may actually handicap pilots from performing their role. Improving pilot performance first lies in defining the role of the pilot - why a human is needed in the first place. The next step is allocating functions based on the needs of that role (rather than fitness), then using automation to target specific human weaknesses in performing that role. Examples are provided (some of which could be implemented in conventional cockpits now). Along the way, the definition of human error and the idea that eliminating/automating the pilot will reduce instances of human error will be challenged.

Schutte, Paul C.↗

Design considerations for Mars photovoltaic power systems

Considerations for operation of a photovoltaic power system on Mars are discussed with reference to Viking Lander data. The average solar insolation at Mars is 590 W/sq m, which is reduced yet further by atmospheric dust. Of major concern are dust storms, which have been observed to occur on local as well as on global scales, and their effect on solar array output. While atmospheric opacity may rise to values ranging from 3 to 9, depending on storm severity, there is still an appreciable large diffuse illumination, even at high opacities, so that photovoltaic operation is still possible. If the power system is to continue to generate power even on high-optical-opacity (i.e., dusty atmosphere) days, it is important that the photovoltaic system be designed to collect diffuse irradiance as well as direct. Energy storage will be required for operation during the night. Temperature and wind provide additional considerations for array design.

Landis, Geoffrey A.↗

A development framework for artificial intelligence based distributed operations support systems

Advanced automation is required to reduce costly human operations support requirements for complex space-based and ground control systems. Existing knowledge based technologies have been used successfully to automate individual operations tasks. Considerably less progress has been made in integrating and coordinating multiple operations applications for unified intelligent support systems. To fill this gap, SOCIAL, a tool set for developing Distributed Artificial Intelligence (DAI) systems is being constructed. SOCIAL consists of three primary language based components defining: models of interprocess communication across heterogeneous platforms; models for interprocess coordination, concurrency control, and fault management; and for accessing heterogeneous information resources. DAI applications subsystems, either new or existing, will access these distributed services non-intrusively, via high-level message-based protocols. SOCIAL will reduce the complexity of distributed communications, control, and integration, enabling developers to concentrate on the design and functionality of the target DAI system itself.

Adler, Richard M.↗

Waverider, volume 2

The results of a study concerning a High-Speed Civilian Transport Aircraft are discussed. An evaluation of the viability of four configurations is presented. One design considered in the Waverider configuration. The Waverider creates lift at high speeds through the use of shock waves. This shocklift when combined with conventionally created lift provides high lift/drag values at higher speeds than conventional configurations. The Waverider cruises at Mach 5.5, has a range of 6,500 nautical miles, and seats 250 passengers. The aircraft is operable from existing airfields and does not require any special traffic control considerations when operating in controlled airspace.

Nightingale, Pat↗