Future air traffic management systems will be dependent upon the
communication of data between aircraft and from aircraft to ground control
centers. Other aeronautical information needs include weather, safety,
maintenance, and passenger services.
"Free Flight" air traffic management maintaining safe aircraft separation.
A new approach to air traffic management, called
"Free Flight", will enable
aircraft to chart their own most efficient courses, rather than being
restricted to corridors where current air traffic management capabities
exist. The use of satellite communications to enable communications for
air traffic management and all other aeronautical needs is necessary to
enable Free Flight.
NASA Glenn Research Center is developing and testing concepts which will
enable Free Flight implementation through satellite communications.
Developing key hardware technology and demonstrating free flight concepts,
as well as other aeronautical communication needs of the future, is being
performed under NASA's Advanced Air
Transportation Technologies (AATT) Program.
The first AATT satellite communications experiment is scheduled for late 1997.
Robert J. Kerczewski
Robert.J.Kerczewski@grc.nasa.gov
Telephone: (216) 433-3434
