Simulation Study of the Operational Effects of Fuel-Conservative Approaches

Fuel-conservative procedures have been investigated using real-time air traffic control simulations linked to two piloted simulators. The fuel-conservative procedures studied were profile descents and two types of landing approaches, delayed flap and IATA. The investigation determined the effect of these procedures on the ATC system operation. It examined the mixing of aircraft executing fuel-conservative approaches with those executing conventional approaches. The most difficult approach type mix of traffic was found to be 50% conventional and 50% delayed flap. However, for the test scenario chosen, arrival rates of at least 30 aircraft per hour were feasible and resulted in a net average fuel saving, even for the most difficult mix. Also, there is a fuel savings and reduced controller workload for the profile descent procedures.