Problem:
The current method of reporting turbulence information in
real-time, by means of pilot reports (PIREPs), has significant
limitations – inconsistency, inaccuracy, subjectivity
– and is unsatisfactory in giving flight crews in-flight
situational awareness of turbulence hazards. |
Latest
Developments: AeroTech’s
TAPS algorithms have been installed on 123 Delta Air Lines
aircraft (B-737-800, B-767-300ER, and B-767-400ER) and have
been broadcasting turbulence encounter reports while the
Delta aircraft are flown in revenue service. These reports
are being displayed on an evaluation
version of ARINC’s Web Aircraft Situation Display (WebASD)
and are being used and evaluated by Delta Air Lines dispatchers.
As of August 2, 2006, over 76,060 TAPS reports have
been received and analyzed. The reports have been made
from throughout the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii,
Canada, the Caribbean, South America, Europe, India, and
the North Atlantic. Analysis of the TAPS reports and flight
data show that the TAPS is performing as designed. The
analysis has also shown additional benefits that can be
gained from the TAPS reports, specifically with regards
to aircraft maintenance. Delta
Air Lines pilots are working with AeroTech to develop the
concepts and design for displaying TAPS reports in the cockpit.
The
TAPS evaluation program, being performed under the Turbulence
Element (TPAWS)
of NASA’s Aviation Safety and Security Program, is designed
to evaluate the system’s ability to increase the pilots’
and dispatchers’ situational awareness of turbulence, and
therefore assess the system’s ability to help reduce encounters
with turbulence. Feedback from Delta Air Lines on TAPS
and the display of turbulence reports has been extremely
positive.
Past
Accomplishments: The development of the Turbulence
Auto-PIREP System (TAPS).
Simulations and flight tests on the NASA B-757-200 ARIES
Research aircraft confirmed that the system would work as
designed with no additional hardware required on the aircraft.
AeroTech
Contributions: Turbulence measurement algorithms,
system requirements definition, aircraft and system simulations,
flight test development and execution, data analysis, overall
system performance assessment, and program management.
Developed Government/Industry team for the operational evaluation
of the system.
Partners:
ARINC, Delta Air Lines, NASA
Related
Web Site: NASA
TPAWS Program |
