Introducing required times of arrival to pre-defined routes to enhance sequencing and merging in terminal airspace: A case study for Frankfurt airport PSA25N arrival route

Abstract

This thesis presented a new option for the Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) to better handle the traffic in congested Terminal Maneuvering Areas (TMAs). The concept, based on 4D trajectories, uses the required time of arrival (RTA) functionality, combined with a tromboning arrival concept. Introduction of tromboning arrival allows significantly widen the feasible time window at a given metering fix without requiring any interference from the ATC, such as path stretching (radar vectoring). Moreover, it reduces workload for ATC and also aircraft crew and allows for the on-board Flight Management System (FMS) to be in the loop regarding the remaining distance to the runway threshold. This remaining distance is vital when aiming for the environmental friendly procedures, such as continuous descent operations (CDO).