Description

The objective of the FAIR STREAM project was to pave the way for the use of target time of arrival (TTA) instead of - or complementary to - calculated take-off time (CTOT). ATC workload, the flight efficiency (time and fuel) and flight crew workload has been evaluated. When the traffic predictability was improved, the margins taken by ATC services to control the sectors workload is reduced, and the real ATC sectors capacity increased. 

 
Number and duration of trials
825 flights were analyzed
 
Results:
Below are the key conclusions drawn from FAIR STREAM trials:
• in today’s technical environment, the use of TTA is feasible and predictability has been improved;
• variability is sensitive to the 2 following points :
– take-off : take-off time plays an essential role in the adherence to TTA. It was observed that departure time is subject to many factors that influence its predictability and thus TTA’s variability;
– unplanned Direct routes. It was observed that for operational reasons, unplanned DCTs are necessary and could affect the TTA adherence;
• The FAIR STREAM trial shows an increase of the predictability of the flights at the TTA fix, with all the actors in the loop and current technical on-board equipment
 
3 Exercises for 3 locations (CDG, Zurich, Munich).
Flexibility: the use of TTA could offer more flexibility to airlines. Depending on the situation, aircrews can leave the gate earlier and fly more “fuel efficiently”.
Workload: no significant workload increase due to the use of TTA was reported by ATCOs and flight crews.
A concrete step towards making i4D navigation a reality: FAIR STREAM has provided all operational actors the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the application of time-based operations with existing ground and on-board equipment.