Air Traffic Management: The View from the Ground

Abstract

This panel addresses a component of the air traffic management system that is often neglected: the airline operations control center (AOC) and its potential role in the evolving paradigm of air traffic management for the 21^st century. Historically, the dispatch function was essentially limited to route planning, typically well before aircraft departure, and intermittent verbal or text communication between a dispatcher and the flight deck while an aircraft is enroute. Emerging technology, however, has radically changed the role of a modern AOC. Sophisticated weather forecasting models, weather data, and FAA aircraft position data provided by the Collaborative Decision Making program have enabled the creation of state-of-the-art AOC control rooms. With such tools, dispatchers can monitor aircraft, their own or any other tracked by the FAA system, via dynamic and graphical flight following displays. This panel explores the role of the modern AOC and its potential to turn air traffic management from a dyad between the flight deck and various air traffic control entities to a triad in which the AOC plays a major role in ensuring safe and efficient air traffic management.