SESAR Release: DSNA conducts first validation exercises

Left to right: S. Chabert (EGIS AVIA) T. BOURRET (AIRBUS) J-M LOSCOS (DSNA) T. ARINO (EGIS AVIA) E. Vallauri (EGIS AVIA)

With the SESAR Release, the SESAR Joint Undertaking reveals first components of the future air traffic management system to be delivered by the end of 2011. In February, DSNA with the support of Airbus, Eurocontrol and NATS experts started with the first Release validation exercises on the generalisation of Auto Pilot / Flight Director TCAS (AP/FD TCAS). Improving TCAS will contribute to increasing aviation safety. Read the interview with Jean-Marc Loscos (Project leader, DSNA) about this project.

1. Jean-Marc, DSNA together with Airbus, Eurocontrol and NATS experts is conducting validation exercises on the generalisation of Auto Pilot / Flight Director TCAS (AP/FD TCAS). Can you tell us more about this project?

To reduce the risk of mid-air collision, TCAS is mandatory worldwide onboard all civil transport aircraft since 2003 (it means that more than 25 000 aircraft are TCAS-equipped). This equipment triggers Resolution Advisories (RAs) telling the pilot the manoeuvre he has to fly in order to avoid a potential threat. Despite an overall safety benefit due to TCAS implementation, it is recognised that one of the persistent issues is the occasional lack of appropriate reaction of flight crews when a TCAS RA occurs.

This guidance mode aims at supporting pilots flying TCAS RAs through an automated solution. The validation exercises conducted at DSNA premises should validate this generalisation expected to dramatically cut collision risk. The vertical deviations should be minimised improving further compatibility with ATM operations.

2. How big is the team working on this project and how do you evaluate the cooperation?

The team is composed of six DSNA/Egis-Avia TCAS experts including operational, logic, and encounter-model simulations aspects. The contribution of Airbus is essential because Airbus has established the technical feasibility on certain aircraft and Airbus has recently certified this new function for all A380 as we speak today.

Eurocontrol and NATS experts will contribute to the valorisation of the results not only at the validation report level but also in international and industry standardisation bodies like ICAO and EUROCAE/RTCA.

3. After the validation exercises, what will be the next steps?

The next step will consist in developing safety and performance requirements to be coordinated at international standardisation level to prepare for the future.

SESAR project 4.8.2 is also engaged in adapting TCAS to new operations along with the concept storyboard. To this effect, strong cooperation is anticipated with the (not-yet launched) project 9.47.

4. What do you expect from the first SESAR Release in general?

The first SESAR Release is a true opportunity to undertake realistic improvements to known issues at small-size project level with a European visibility. It is also quite motivating to associate experts from industry, ANSP and R&D communities for cooperative achievements.