Airspace Systems and nextgen

Airspace Systems and nextgen

Define Avionics and equipment required for the use of the next-gen and timeline for compliance.

Avionics is a term that refers to the type of electronics used in making and designing airborne bodies such as space crafts, satellites, or aircraft but does not add to the weight. These may include surveillance systems, searchlights, among others. In compliance with the Federal Aviation Administration, airborne body operators are required to equip their aircraft and other space bodies with some avionics to enhance safety and efficiency. Firstly Automatic Dependent Surveillance will support the next-gen capability in navigation. Secondly, operators are also mandated to equip their aviation bodies to wit Localizer Performance with Vertical Guidance. It is a GPS that specializes in providing the highest precision that will ensure 95 percent accuracy for a 20-meter vertical distance (National Academics of Sciences and Engineering, n.d). This technology will help in prevention airborne bodies from the collision and more to that detect lousy weather and send early warnings to the pilot. Thirdly, all aviation bodies should have a Controller-Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) to enhance effective and efficient communication, aircraft, and improve navigation in the airspace.

This technology requires very high-frequency radio, satellites, radar, video, and an air traffic control transponder — integrated airport ground traffic management system to provide traffic and threat status information in real-time. The flight management system, is a vital component in approving P-RNAV used for setting authorization standards such as operational approval, installed equipment as well as pilot training (National Academics of Sciences and Engineering, n.d). These aviation technologies are to be fitted to aircraft by the year 2020 as required by the Federal Aviation Administration and European Aviation Safety Agency.

Describe how data comm is changing the way we communicate in aviation. How will it affect pilots, ATC, and dispatch? What are the pros and cons?

Through proper use of data comm, communications about departure instructions and clearance are delivered accurately and quickly across multiple airports countrywide. Pilots receive instructions with flight rules and route information in the form of a text from controllers instead of using radio to speak. To enhance shared awareness by decision-makers, promote quick response, and changes approval, the same information is received by all carrier dispatchers simultaneously. In case of instructions acceptance or route changes, the aviation crew responds by pressing a button that signals the controllers, and this communication is repeatable until take-off (Federal Aviation Administration, 2018). ATC can send information to onboard pilots and quickly receive feedback. Data comm technology carries with it some advantages as well as disadvantages. The benefits associated with the use of this technology include; compatibility with the multiple varieties of aircraft; it is a development from existing technology and thus saving on cost.

By using data comm, some aircrafts reduced flight delays by over 90 minutes. Data comm offers accurate communication, which improves safety and reduces congestion of radio frequencies, thus increasing efficiency. The workload of the air traffic controller is significantly reduced. It is a green and economical technology in that it reduces fuel consumption and engine emissions to the environment. On the downside, data comm may affect the concentration since it involves communication via texts. Delays may be experienced where messages are intended to be urgent. The seriousness of the instructions cannot be noted as data comm does not express emotions (Federal Aviation Administration, 2018). Due to the privacy of information when using data comm, there is situational awareness loss by other parties.

Analyze the current navigation system and evaluate how proposed changes are likely to enhance or deter from safety.

Glass cockpit Primary Flight Display (PFD) is an avionics that provides the pilot with crucial flight information. The information from various electromechanical equipments is paraded on one electronic display. This aids in minimizing the workload for the pilot or navigator and also enhance situational awareness. The PFD information assists the pilot in determining important flight parameters such as airspeed, approach status, altitude e.t.c

The Global Positioning System(GPS) is another avionics utilized in aviation to improve flight efficiency and safety. Its accuracy and global capability enables aviators to realize new and safer routes and enhances seamless navigation from the flight departure to the destination airport.

With the Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System(EGPWS), it becomes possible to minimize the risk of controlled flight into terrain, which has been a cause of accidents for long (GPS.Gov, 2019).

Glass cockpit Primary Flight Display (PFD) is an avionics that provides the pilot with crucial flight information. The information from various electromechanical equipments is paraded on one electronic display. This aids in minimizing the workload for the pilot or navigator and also enhance situational awareness. The PFD information assists the pilot in determining important flight parameters such as airspeed, approach status, altitude e.t.c

Traffic alert and collision avoidance system(TCAS) is an alerting system that aids the aviators from avoiding collision National Academies of Sciences and Engineering, (n.d). The TCAS has the capacity to detect another aircraft in close proximity and issue instructions so as to avoid what would have otherwise translated into a mid-air collision.

Weather radar and other weather systems the likes of lightning detectors are imperative for flight safety, especially at night. They guide the pilot in navigating turbulent areas, ultimately reducing the risk of aircraft accidents.

The Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) is designed to serve on a global scale different from traditional navigation aids (NAVAIDs). The GNSS offers seamless comprehensive navigation guidance as it has the potential to support all flight phases. By providing accurate advice in oceanic and remote areas that would be initially impossible or impractical, GNSS enhances flight safety and security.

Make an argument for allowing or not allowing Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) to fly in the National Airspace System.

Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) are aircraft and the equipment that enables them to be controlled remotely. Such an aircraft is designed to be remotely piloted without a pilot on board or instead to operate autonomously. As a result of technological advances, UAS have become affordable and common primarily due to their benefits to a large number of users and industries, for instance, commercial users, military, recreational and the government (Ohio University, n.d). In spite of the few cons of Unmanned Aerial Systems like safety concerns, privacy issues, and uncertainty in legislation that have been raised, I am for the argument that UAS should be allowed to fly in the National Airspace System.

Since they are installed with GPS Unmanned Aerial Systems can be accurately be programmed and maneuvered in precision to the desired locations (Ohio University, n.d). For example, in precision agriculture, UAS is very helpful in fulfilling various farming needs such as spraying insecticides and fertilizers and spying weed infestation, which saves farmers a lot in terms of cost and time.

UAS has the benefit of high-quality aerial video and photographs that are capable of collecting a wide range of imaging data. Such high-resolution data is that it may be impossible to get with manned aircraft are very important towards creating interactive 3-D models and 3-D maps that are super-beneficial (Ohio University, n.d). For instance, In cases of disaster areas, 3-D maps could enable rescue teams to prepare sufficiently in hazardous situations.

UAS provides security and surveillance in public homes and companies, public gatherings, sporting events, among others. They quickly gather valuable data during and after natural calamities to help in recovery and security efforts.

References

Federal Aviation Administration, (2018) Data Comm in Operation. Retrieved from https://www.faa.gov/nextgen/how_nextgen_works/new_technology/data_comm/in_depth/

National Academies of Sciences and Engineering, (n.d) Aeronautical Technologies for the Twenty-First Century. Avionics and Controls, Pg 222-242. Retrieved from https://www.nap.edu/read/2035/chapter/12

GPS.Gov, (2019) Aviation. Retrieved from https://www.gps.gov/applications/aviation/

Ohio University, (n.d) The Pros and Cons of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) Retrieved from https://onlinemasters.ohio.edu/blog/the-pros-and-cons-of-unmanned-aerial-vehicles-uavs/