Formation flight can result in large induced drag reductions. Optimum spanloads for a group of aircraft flying in an arrow formation were found using a discrete vortex method with a Trefftz plane analysis under constraints in lift, pitching moment and rolling moment coefficients. It has been shown that large reductions in induced drag can be obtained when the spanwise and vertical distances bet...

Singular Perturbations represent an advantageous theory to deal with systems characterized by a two-time scale separation, such as the longitudinal dynamics of aircraft which are called phugoid and short period. In this work, the combination of the NonLinear Geometric Approach and the Singular Perturbations leads to an innovative Fault Detection and Isolation system dedicated to the isolation o...

This paper analyzes priority rules, such as those in Part 91.113 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. Such rules determine which of two aircraft should maneuver in a given conflict scenario. While the rules in 91.113 are well accepted, other concepts of operation for the next generation of air traffic systems, such as self separation, may allow for different priority rules. A mathematical frame...

Aircraft collision avoidance maneuvers are important and complex applications. Curved flight exhibits nontrivial continuous behavior. In combination with the control choices during air traffic maneuvers, this yields hybrid systems with challenging interactions of discrete and continuous dynamics. As a case study illustrating the use of a new proof assistant for a logic for nonlinear hybrid syst...

We present a system of two aircraft, one humanpiloted and one autonomous, that must coordinate to achieve tasks. The vehicles communicate over two data channels, one high rate link for state data transfer and one low rate link for command messages. We analyze the operation of the system when the high rate link fails and the aircraft must use the low rate link to execute a safe “lost wingman” pr...

Industry 4.0 calls for validated simulations for rapid customization and through-life designs. Wind tunnel experiments are widely used in validating flow-field simulations for aircraft design and manufacture. In this paper, we develop testing for simulating the NACA0015 model wings in various shapes and Angles of Attacks (AoA) through an anatomy wind tunnel. Particle traces are recorded during ...

The paired approach procedure is intended to facilitate IFR approaches to closely spaced parallel runways (closer than 2500 feet) and increase runway throughput where parallel ILS approaches cannot be conducted under instrument meteorological conditions. The paired approach procedure requires that air traffic control pair compatible and eligible aircraft and place them on the final approach cou...

In one concept proposed under the NASA Small Aircraft Transportation System program, pilots would self-separate by observing other aircraft near an airport using ADS-B and a moving-map display. An Airport Management Module (AMM) would sequence this traffic. The question was, however, whether the concept was practical and whether an automated Cockpit Associate (CA) could relieve pilot workload a...

A performance theory for conflict detection in air traffic control is presented that specifies how controllers adapt decisions to compensate for environmental constraints. This theory is then used as a framework for a model that can fit controller intervention decisions. The performance theory proposes that controllers apply safety margins to ensure separation between aircraft. These safety mar...

In this paper, an automated conflict resolution algorithm is evaluated based on fast-time simulations of nominal and heavily increased air traffic demand in the Cleveland Air Route Traffic Control Center airspace. The algorithm under study is designed to support an automated separation assurance capability for next-generation air traffic management systems. It resolves detected conflicts that a...