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Trajectory Based Free Routing

 

The project “Trajectory Based Free Routing” aims at delivering the following SESAR Solutions:

  • Optimized traffic management to enable Free Routing in high and very high complexity environments: airspace users should be able to plan flight trajectories without reference to a fixed route network or published directs within high & very high-complexity environments so they can optimise their associated flights in line with their individual operator business needs or military requirements.

  • Management of Performance Based Free Routing: application of Free Routing Airspace (FRA) to make available free routing for airspace users below FL310.

Airspace users (AUs) should have the possibility to plan flight trajectories without reference to a fixed route network or published directs within high & very high-complexity environments. This would provide the AUs with significant opportunities to optimise the impacted flights in line with their individual operator business needs or mission requirements. Controller workload associated with individual trajectory interactions is anticipated to increase within a non-published route airspace environment. A full advanced controller tool set will be required. Demand & Capacity Balancing in both the planning and execution phases will have to evolve to manage the more dynamic environment including Integrated Network Management, extended ATC Planning and Airspace Management processes. Flight Operation Centres (FOC) systems will also need to be developed and integrated with SWIM Infrastructure allowing all Airspace Users to plan and execute the most efficient trajectory. Non-mainline aircraft requirements need to be taken into consideration.

  • Improved Predictability: By enabling AUs to plan and fly a trajectory closer to their business needs, Free Routing will improve predictability.

  • Improved Environmental Sustainability / Flight Efficiency: An enlarged FRA will directly lead to improved fuel efficiency and business/mission effectiveness. Lower fuel consumption for an aircraft in pre-departure & flight phase will allow increasing flight efficiency.
  • Improved Access and Equity including BA/GA and rotorcraft: making Free Route available in high and very high complexity environment will allow operating Free Route at lower levels and enabling access to a larger number of aircraft type
  • En-Route Capacity and safety maintained or improved.
  • As flexibility of airspace is predicted, and availability of airspace is constantly updated, more flights can be handled, and throughput of airspace is increased. Therefore cost effectiveness is increased.
  • Human performance: The Solution will increase significantly positive cockpit crew performance, reducing their fatigue, but also may decrease abilities of ATC services due to the fact of higher workload.