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| A consortium of European air navigation service providers and airlines has recently been formed to explore optimized descent profiles (ODP) from the upper airspace to terminal maneuvering areas. Photo: Eurocontrol |
[Avionics Today 04-30-2015] European Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) and airlines have formed a consortium to explore Optimized Descent Profiles (ODP) from the upper airspace to terminal maneuvering areas. The goal is to improve vertical flight efficiency and environmental sustainability while also taking capacity aspects into consideration.
The ANSPs of Germany (DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung), Austria (Austro Control), France (DSNA), and Switzerland (Skyguide), as well as Eurocontrol’s Maastricht Upper Area Control Centre (MUAC) aim to develop optimized descent procedures for certain approach paths to the airports of Basel, Berlin-Tegel, Frankfurt, Geneva, Munich, Strasbourg, Stuttgart, Vienna and Zürich.
The project will conduct fast-time and real-time simulations as well as several cross-border exercises, developing continuous descent profiles at the highest level possible for aircraft coming from both free route and conventional route airspaces. Researchers will also examine Cross-center Arrival Management Systems (XMAN) and their applicability in the context of continuous descent operations.
The results will be verified by test flights in cooperation with the airline operators and consortium members Air France, Deutsche Lufthansa, Swiss and their affiliated airlines (among them HOP!, Austrian Airlines and Germanwings).
The consortium, led by DFS, is co-funded by the SESAR Joint Undertaking. The final project results are expected to be available by September 2016.