A view towards trajectory-based operations

By delivering solutions that will enable aircraft operators, air traffic control and the Network Manager to all share the same view on flight trajectories, the SESAR supported NETWORK-TBO project aims to make trajectory-based operations a reality.

Trajectory based operations (TBO) is considered by many in in air traffic management sector, as the most important air traffic management concept since the introduction of radar services. It is also a cornerstone to SESAR's vision for a more predictable ATM.

"TBO is about sharing a common plan for a flight's trajectory, matching that trajectory to the performance needs of the circumstances and delivering the trajectory via air traffic control clearances," says Gérard Mavoian, NETWORK-TBO project manager at EUROCONTROL.

According to EUROCONTROL, TBO has the potential to improve predictability, increase airspace capacity, reduce aviation's environmental footprint, and make flights more efficient. In Europe, that potential could translate into a 100% increase in average sector capacity. This would mean an increase from the current 45 flights per hour in many sectors to 97 flights per hour. It would also cut the average working time needed to manage 100 flights in half.

But turning this potential into action requires aircraft operators, air traffic control and the Network Manager to all share the same view on flight trajectories - which currently isn't the case.

What is needed is a synchronised, 4D flight trajectory that provides a common view of latitude, longitude, altitude and time.

Helping to bring such a view into focus is the NETWORK-TBO project.

"We aim to deliver and validate the solutions that will make trajectory-based operations a reality in Europe - and beyond," adds Mavoian, who serves as the project coordinator.

Increasing collaboration and predictability

With a focus on the network management aspects of trajectory-based operations, the project is working to increase collaboration and predictability between all the involved stakeholders.

For example, the project is developing a reference, end-to-end 4D trajectory. When shared between operators (flight operations centres and aircraft data), ATC and the Network Manager, it will increase predictability in both the pre- and post-departure phases of a flight.

In addition, the project developed an innovative AI-based solution for improving trajectory planning. According to Mavoian, this solution provides a probabilistic prediction on the likelihood that ATC will apply certain airspace constraints during a flight. This information is complemented by an indicator that shows the level of confidence the machine learning algorithm has in its calculated prediction.

"Airspace users can use this prediction to decide whether to consider a constraint in their planning phase," he explains. "As a result, they will be making a flight plan that is more likely to be flown."

NETWORK TBO is also developing collaborative decision-making processes, as well as solutions to increase automation and reduce operator workload.

The project is currently busy validating its solutions, with half of the validations already being successfully completed and eight more planned for later this year.

Towards a global approach to trajectory-based operations

In addition to delivering the solutions that will make TBO a reality in Europe, NETWORK-TBO is contributing to the International Civil Aviation Organisation 's (ICAO) efforts to implement TBO worldwide and across all phases of flight. The project is also working to align the different trajectory management related concepts developed by SESAR, EUROCONTROL and ICAO.

"This is key to ensuring that the solutions validated by the project can be implemented at scale and will be interoperable with TBO implementations happening outside of Europe," notes Mavoian.

The project also works closely with the SESAR3 ATC-TBO project, which validates TBO use cases in the tactical execution phase (i.e., within the coordination and separation horizon of the planner and executive air traffic controllers). "In doing so, NETWORK-TBO is paving the way towards a truly global approach to trajectory-based operations," adds Mavoian.

The future of air traffic management

Network trajectory-based operations are poised to revolutionise air traffic management, and the NETWORK-TBO project is making that revolution possible.

Through its work and solutions, the project will allow flight intentions to be submitted earlier using preliminary flight plans. It will also ensure that probabilistic constraints planning can be used to minimise any discrepancies between the aircraft and air traffic control.

Furthermore, strategic changes to flight trajectories will be coordinated and negotiated among the affected actors - while the aircraft is airborne - and the aircraft trajectory will be shared with the network manager in real time.

"NETWORK-TBO will make air traffic management more predictable and support the better use of airspace capacity," concludes Mavoian. "It's the future of air traffic management."

You can learn more about the NETWORK-TBO project here.