Curved Landing Approaches: Where is the Payoff for Pathway?

Abstract

Air traffic controllers, both civil and military, will soon have the ability to direct pilots to fly complex landing approaches. The imminent replacement of the Instrument Landing System (ILS) with a landing system based on Global Positioning System (GPS) technology at major airports in the United States will allow pilots to fly precision landing approaches with curved segments and varying descent angles in order to avoid noise abatement areas and decrease air traffic congestion. From a military standpoint, flying complex approaches will allow better threat avoidance and increase operational security. This paper reports the findings of an on-going program of research in the Air Force Research Laboratory designed to create and test a next-generation, head-up primary flight reference that will allow pilots to fly such paths regardless of visibility conditions. After briefly reviewing some research utilizing Pathways, the paper discusses specific examples of research that examined the effects on pilot performance of: 1) varying descent angle (7, 5, and 3 degrees), 2) curved vs. straight portions of the approach, and, 3) secondary tasks (frequency changes and resolution of system failures).