National Aeronautics and Space Administration

AOSP Newsletter Airspace Operations and Safety Program (AOSP)

JUL-SEP 2016 | Quarter 4

ATD-2 Begins Shadow Mode 5 Evaluations at Charlotte Airport

TAP Wins Software 20 of the Year Award

www.nasa.gov 2 AOSP NEWSLETTER // JUL-SEP 2016

AOSP IN THE NEWS

FAA Bill Aims to Prevent White House Unveils around for fun and work, a system Drones Flying Near Airports Plan to Boost Drones will need to be in place to manage the massive influx of flying machines USAToday.com (7/11) reports TheHill.com (8/02) reports that the in U.S. airspace. The Federal that the bill also called on Federal Federal Aviation Administration is Aviation Administration is working Aviation Administration to report chartering a new unmanned aircraft with NASA to develop such a to Congress every six months for safety team and a drone advisory system, and today the White House two years about its research and committee to analyze safety data committed to helping integrate development with NASA of an and mitigate drone threats, as well drones into U.S. airspace as quickly air-traffic control system for drones. as forming a data exchange working as possible. NASA has led a team of industry group with NASA. members for years to determine Feds Give Google OK to Test ways to keep drones separated the White House, NSF, NASA Project Wing Drone Deliveries way passenger planes are separated. Tout Ambitious Drone Application Plans Engadget.com (8/02) reports that Senate Passes FAA Funding the White House unveiled a flurry of Bill with Drone Directives NetworkWorld.com (8/02) reports other initiatives. It wants the Federal the launch of a joint NASA and Aviation Administration (FAA) to Radio Magazine (radiomagonline. Federal Aviation Administration develop new regulations to “safely com) (7/15) reports that NASA and (FAA) data-exchange working integrate [UAVs, or drones] in the the Federal Aviation Administration group under the Unmanned Aerial airspace” and have the regulations have been directed to create com- Systems Traffic Management (UTM) ready for comment by winter 2016. prehensive “testing or modeling” of Research Transition Team. The Additionally, the FAA is being asked drones colliding with jet, propeller, group will address the challenge of to create an unmanned aerial vehicle and rotary aircraft of various sizes, coordinating information between “safety team” that can analyze safety speeds, and points of contact. operators, entities that use UTM to data and investigate accidents. The perform services, and the FAA. The White House also enlisted NASA FAA Bill Has Focus on group will also develop a consistent to help develop “detect and avoid” Drones, Calls for Extensive format for data to be shared technology, with completion planned Collision Testing across the affected parties, with by 2020. recommendations slated for release in AviationPros.com (7/20) reports Fiscal Year 2017. FAA Launches Drone that the Federal Aviation Admin- Safety Data Initiative istration (FAA) and NASA will The FAA Said That Over Half continue to develop a research and a Million Drones Have Been Airtransport World (atwonline) deployment plan for a traffic man- Registered in Just 8 Months (8/03) reports NASA is developing agement system (UTM), which the technologies to enable low- must be completed in approximately Quartz (qz.com) (8/02) reports altitude Unmanned Aerial Systems six months. The plan will then be that in the future, as the number of (UAS) Traffic Management (UTM) submitted to members of the Senate commercial and consumer drones in a series of increasingly capable and the House, and posted on the continues to increase and our skies spirals, with the second of four FAA website. begin to fill with drones buzzing planned technical capability levels to AOSP NEWSLETTER // JUL-SEP 2016 3

AOSP IN THE NEWS be demonstrated in October at the other vehicles in the air, and air-traffic up small drones used for commercial Nevada UAS test site. NASA plans management systems, with drones purposes. The space agency will to turn over its UTM research to the and building that out.” As further present its research to the Federal Federal Aviation Administration in explained, “the plan is to figure out Aviation Administration by 2019. 2019 for further testing. a way to operate these drones at lower altitudes and have this delivery Delta Pilots Are Using a Federal Aviation model—going from point A to point New App to Help Spot Administration Head: B to deliver a package—take place.” and Avoid Turbulence Government Must Go Faster then Normal to Cultivate Air Force Outlines UAS Fortune.com (8/31) reports that, the Drone Industry Plans as NASA Pursues according to NASA’s Weather Acci- Traffic Management dent Prevention Project, turbulence MIT Technology Review costs airlines a combined $100 million (technologyreview.com) (8/03) UASMagazine.com (8/23) reports every year in extra fuel costs. discusses a Federal Aviation that, while making his second Administration regulation that trip to North Dakota this year, A Passenger Plane requires the pilot of an aircraft John Cavolowsky, director of that Flies Itself? be able to “see and avoid” other NASA’s AirSpace Operations and aircraft to prevent a midair collision. Safety Program, said, “There is an BBC.com (9/13) reports that NASA When there is no pilot in the enormous center of gravity here that’s has a concept for a Single-Pilot vehicle, how should this be done? important for us to be a part of.” Operations plane that features one A range of sensing technologies— seat in the cockpit for a captain, from advanced digital cameras NASA Will Develop Rules and one seat on the ground for an to sophisticated radar systems— For Flying Small Drones operator, who would take turns as currently under development could dispatcher and first officer. give commercial drones the ability PopularMechanics.com (8/28) writes to detect moving objects. Software that the NASA project is meant to How to Prevent Drones could be used to automate how develop performance standards for Colliding in Crowded Skies the drone responds when it senses drones that would be used for com- certain signals. The agency and mercial purposes by companies such MSNBC.com and Newsweek. NASA are also working on an air as Amazon and Google. It is a virtual com (9/14) report that NASA is traffic control system for drones. system designed to help drone opera- working with industry partners on tors deal with weather conditions, an Unmanned Aerial System Traffic Eyes on the Skies: The restricted air space, airport conges- Management project and stated that, Dream of Drone Delivery tion, and other obstacles. while this is a great start, further Starts to Take Flight efforts like this are needed. Feds Collaborate with NASA PackagingDigest.com (8/10) reports for Drone Traffic Plan Officials Envision a Day When that “the project being run by NASA Millions of Drones Fill Skies is responsible for drone integration NatureWorldNews.com (8/30) and an air traffic management system reports that NASA is on its second JapanToday.com (9/19) reports that for drones. It’s an issue of integrating phase in a four-step plan of setting NASA is working with industry 4 AOSP NEWSLETTER // JUL-SEP 2016

AOSP IN THE NEWS partners and the Federal Aviation that it has signed an agreement for this historic safety record is that Administration to create a new with the Chinese Aeronautical safety concerns typically are identified low-altitude air traffic control Establishment to cooperate on and corrected before they become real system specifically for drones. research that will help China’s problems. NASA’s Aviation Safety Industry and government airports improve their management Reporting System is one of the tools officials say such a system will be of air traffic. used to make the system as safe as it is. needed eventually if there will be widespread drone deliveries by 40 Years of Safer Aviation Amazon and other companies. Through Reporting

NASA to Help China improve PhysOrg.com (9/29) states that Air Traffic Management the United States has an incredibly safe aviation system, one that is Reuters.com (9/28) reports that unparalleled when compared to other NASA announced on Wednesday modes of transportation. The basis AOSP NEWSLETTER // JUL-SEP 2016 5

TECHNICAL AND PROGRAMMATIC HIGHLIGHTS

Preparations for UTM Flight Research Center, NASA’s Langley early October, and the team expects Test #2 Progressing Research Center, and commercial the same partners to participate. POC: KEVIN WITZBERGER AND MARCUS JOHNSON partners were involved in the plan- ning and execution of the checkout, NASA Meets with United during which researchers flew five Airlines Executive Leadership Cat I Unmanned Aircraft Systems POC: WILL JOHNSON (two fixed-wings and three multi- rotors). The researchers successfully On July 7, 2016, William C. met most of the test objectives, Johnson, Sub Project Manager including those involving the of NASA Airspace Technology evaluation of a surveillance-warning Demonstration - 1 (ATD-1), and region, protocols for flight crew Leighton Quon, NASA ATD Project communication, and methods for Manager, met with several United human factors data collection. How- Airlines (UAL) executives at their ever, a test objective to establish and headquarters in Chicago. United test a UTM Research Coordinator Airlines—a cost-sharing commercial position remains a work in progress. airline partner for the ATD-1 flight test—is providing a new Boeing 737- The next series of checkout activities 900ER with operational support for was completed August 24. During the flight test. The Project Manager these activities, the UTM team for UAL requested the meeting to The Unmanned Aerial Systems successfully flew three simultaneous educate the airline’s executives on (UAS) Traffic Management (UTM) operations up to 1.8 miles from the ATD-1 flight test plans and its Sub Project completed a series of their ground control stations in value to the rest of the Air Traffic checkout tests in preparation for an “extended visual-line-of-sight” Management community, including its Flight Test #2 scheduled for configuration. The team also the Federal Aviation Administration, October 2016. A checkout test was validated several test scenarios and Radio Technical Commission for performed on July 1 at the Reno- logistics, including communications Aeronautics (RTCA), original Stead UAS Test Range, Zone A, in protocols and a situational aware- equipment manufacturers, and Nevada. This checkout test was the ness display, in preparation for the commercial airlines, among others. first UTM flight test executed as a planned full demonstration in late The meeting went well, with joint operation between NASA, the October. Several partner organiza- assurances from UAL leaders of their Reno-Stead Airport, and the Nevada tions also participated in these tests. continued support of the ATD-1 Institute of Autonomous Systems. A number of environmental condi- flight test, which is planned for The collaboration merged various tions, including heat and altitude, January or February of next year. processes and procedures from all contributed to unexpected behavior three entities. Approximately 50 for some of the vehicles. The next participants from NASA’s Ames UTM checkout is scheduled for 6 AOSP NEWSLETTER // JUL-SEP 2016

TECHNICAL AND PROGRAMMATIC HIGHLIGHTS

AAL training at NTX. Engineering shadow evaluation session at CLT.

ATD-2 Begins Shadow ATD-2 team conducted a half- The next shadow session took Mode Evaluations at day training session at NASA’s place August 23 through 25, and Charlotte Airport North Texas Research Station for focused on evaluating ATD-2 POC: AL CAPPS, SAVVY VERMA American Airlines (AAL) operations ramp management tools with AND SHIVANJLI SHARMA research personnel on the ramp AAL ramp personnel. During management tools that will be this session, the team continued During this past quarter, the Air- used in the upcoming ATD-2 working with representatives from space Technology Demonstration-2 field demonstration at CLT. The the CLT ATCT and AAL ramp (ATD-2) Team began conducting tools will also be deployed in the controllers. Air Traffic Control Tower shadow mode evaluations of the AAL ramp tower and the CLT controllers and Traffic Management ATD-2 concept at the recently Air Traffic Control Tower, and Coordinators were shown progress dedicated lab at Charlotte Douglass at FAA’s Washington Air Route of the ATD-2 surface automation International Airport (CLT) in North Traffic Control Center. American system, called Surface Trajectory- Carolina. From July 12 through Airlines is the lead carrier for ATD-2 Based Operations, and details of 14, representatives from the Federal activities at CLT, and the focal the surface modeling, timelines, Aviation Administration (FAA), point for all stakeholder airline and information processing that Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) operators. The ramp tools, Ramp created the displays. The agenda and CLT operations collaborated Traffic Console (RTC) and Ramp for the AAL participants included with NASA researchers for the first Manager Traffic Console (RMTC), a description of the Tactical Surface ATD-2 shadow evaluation. The planned for the AAL ramp tower, Scheduler and an overview of the evaluation successfully introduced will provide pushback advisories ramp management user interfaces. users to the CLT lab, and included to the ramp controllers with the Participants offered valuable feedback demonstrations of the existing system aim of reducing taxi congestion on the ATD-2 system and helped user-interfaces and the predictive- and emissions. American Airlines refine requirements for future modeling capability.Participants training participants provided development. John Greene, Acting provided feedback on both the feedback on how these tools might Chief of CLT ATCT and Terminal shadow evaluation process as well as fit with the existing tools in the Approach Control, also attended specific ATD-2 system capabilities. CLT ramp tower, and gave positive and participated in the discussions On July 20, members from the reviews on the RTC and RMTC. of ATD-2 tools and technologies. AOSP NEWSLETTER // JUL-SEP 2016 7

TECHNICAL AND PROGRAMMATIC HIGHLIGHTS

The next engineering shadow session through 14, 2016. Many practi- tool, and is already in contact with was conducted on September 20 tioners from industry, government NASA to install IKOS at their and 22, and combined participants agencies, and academia attended the site. Their goal is to deploy IKOS from both ATCT and AAL. meeting. The symposium addressed in many of their business units. The participants included tower three themes: formal methods for Lockheed Martin was interested in controllers and representatives from validation and verification (V&V), the design-level tools, especially tools Traffic Management Centers, the compositional verification, and for Simulink models. As a result of National Air Traffic Controllers safety cases. These themes are per- the contact established during S5, Association, the FAA, the AAL fectly aligned with NASA’s research Lockheed Martin sent to NASA a Integrated Operations Center, the efforts in V&V. Most talks described set of 10 representative Simulink AAL CLT ramp, and the AAL CLT applications of these techniques at problems. Raytheon was interested airport operations. The session the design and requirement levels. in collaborating on V&V techniques featured an evaluation that focused for UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) on the foundational data exchange On the last day of the S5, many dis- teaming technology. This possibil- and integration among users that are cussions centered on the work being ity may require more discussions required for collaborative decision- conducted by Air Force Research before any tangible efforts can be making. Participants offered valuable Labs (AFRL) on formal V&V. The started. John Koelling, of NASA’s feedback on topics such as the main themes were safety cases and Langley Research Center, and Brat sharing of airport configuration, applications for formal methods to met several times with representa- ground stops, closures, and other requirements. Dr. Guillaume Brat tives from the Air Force Research areas that enable common situational of NASA’s Ames Research Center Laboratory (AFRL) who have been awareness, and also provided gave the plenary talk on Wednesday, tasked with providing a briefing feedback on the manner in which July 13, during which he offered for the October 2016 meeting of data exchange and integration will an overview of the progress made the NASA and AFRL Executive be handled with the ATD-2 system by NASA on reducing the cost Research Committee. The AFRL was tools and technology. The next associated with the current V&V eager to have NASA participate in operational shadow session will be processes. As Brat described some of the development of this briefing for held on October 19, and will bring the technology developed by NASA our joint executives. Everyone agreed together both Washington Center over the last five years, he made that an initial working outline of the personnel and CLT FAA participants. repeated appeals to industry to work briefing would include discussions with NASA by using and evaluating of successful results from past NASA Air Force Research Labs’ Safe the NASA tools. His talk was well- and AFRL cooperation, the pos- and Secure Software and received, and companies like Ray- sibility of future near-term areas of Systems Symposium (S5) theon, Lockheed Martin, and United cooperation, and a proposed frame- POC: GUILLAUME BRAT Technologies expressed interest in work for longer-term cooperation. helping to evaluate the NASA tools. One of the goals of the briefing will The Safe and Secure Software and Intel Technologies was interested in be to obtain executive level support Systems Symposium (S5) was held the Inference Kernel for Open Static for these plans, and the direction in Dayton, Ohio, from July 12 Analyzers (IKOS) static analysis needed to develop a framework for 8 AOSP NEWSLETTER // JUL-SEP 2016

TECHNICAL AND PROGRAMMATIC HIGHLIGHTS longer-term cooperation and collab- about a specific speed performance integration. On the final day, two oration on common work and goals. issue SNTB encountered, and panel sessions were held, one on suggested a need to better organize user experiences with weather in System-wide Information the data. They also asked whether the the field, and another on weather Management Data and FAA intends to add non-traditional research for UAS operations. About National Airspace System air traffic management (ATM) 80 people attended the workshop, Enterprise Services data as part of SWIM. The FAA including representatives from Capabilities and Discussion indicated that they had been asked industry, academia, government, POC: KEE PALOPO only about a part of non-traditional and research organizations. The ATM data involving airport parking. workshop organizers will use the As part of a two-day meeting at Overall, the meeting went well, and outputs from this workshop to NASA’s Ames Research Center, teams the SNTB team appreciated the engage a cross-cutting group of met on July 14, 2016, to discuss face-to-face experience with the FAA users and weather researchers to how Shadow Mode Assessments personnel responsible for SWIM inform future weather product Using Realistic Technologies for the data—an element critical to SNTB. development and suggest research National Airspace System program (SMART-NAS) Test-Beds (SNTB) NASA Hosts National Center use System Wide Information for Atmospheric Research Management (SWIM). The teams Weather Workshop consisted of representatives from POC: WILLIAM N. CHAN SNTB, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Volpe, NASA’s Ames Research Center and other SWIM users, including hosted an Unmanned Aerial Airspace Technology Demonstration Systems (UAS) Traffic Management (ATD) and Unmanned Aerial (UTM) Workshop from July 19 Steve Abelman (FAA) speaking during the Weather Systems (UAS) Traffic Management through 21, with co-sponsorship Research Panel on July 21. (UTM) projects. Attendees included from the National Center for FAA Director of Enterprise Services Atmospheric Research. The Malcolm Andrews, FAA’s Jeri Groce, workshop brought together aviation James Hill and Sarasina Tuchen from weather and UTM researchers, and Volpe, SNTB personnel, and other UAS operators to discuss weather interested SWIM data-users from impacts and requirements to enable NASA. Andrews wanted to know safe and efficient low-altitude whether the SNTB team experienced UTM operations. Participants any issues while using the SWIM presented on topics such as data, and whether they had in mind the UTM system, the current any missing SWIM data they might weather aviation system, weather consider supporting in the future. phenomena and their impact on The SNTB team alerted the FAA UAS operations, and weather UTM Weather Workshop. AOSP NEWSLETTER // JUL-SEP 2016 9

TECHNICAL AND PROGRAMMATIC HIGHLIGHTS directions to enable all weather Airbus’ interest in this field of NASA-FAA RTT Meeting: access for small UAS operations. research underscores the global Unmanned Aerial Systems importance of NASA’s work in the Integration Concepts Training for Attention area of human factors and attentional POC: JOEY RIOS AND PARIMAL KOPARDEKAR Management Team Hosts state detection. NASA and the TfAM Airbus Researchers team greatly benefited through an On July 20, 2016, NASA’s Ames POC: ANGELA HARRIVEL expanded breadth of knowledge Research Center hosted a NASA- of the state of the art in research Federal Aviation Administration On July 19 and 20, 2016, the approaches for human monitoring as (FAA) Research Transition Team Training for Attention Management it relates to commercial flight safety. (RTT) meeting to focus on (TfAM) Team at NASA’s Research in this area offers potential unmanned aerial systems (UAS) Langley Research Center hosted benefits for aviation safety through integration concepts. In the morning representatives of Airbus SAS from support of U.S. airlines and U.S. session, the Federal Aviation Toulouse, France. The TfAM airspace operations. The SHARP Administration (FAA) presented team reprised presentations and study assesses the detection of their current work, defining their demonstrations provided at a June limited states of cognitive attentional concept of operations for all altitudes interchange with representatives human performance, and aids the and types of UAS to an audience of from Boeing. The visit focused on mitigation loss of airplane state more than 100 people from NASA, technical interchange regarding awareness – two occurrences that industry, and academia. NASA’s UAS the ongoing Scenarios for Human the Commercial Aviation Safety technology partners were invited Attention Restoration using Team (CAST) specified as causal to attend in-person or remotely. Psychophysiology (SHARP) study factors in commercial aviation Steve Bradford, Sherri Magyarits, and crew state monitoring study. accidents and incidents. This work and Maureen Keegan were the FAA The teams also discussed synthetic is being conducted in response to speakers. These meetings were the vision, display studies, and head- CAST Safety Enhancement 211 first joint outreach activities for the worn display technology. entitled “Training for Attention NASA-FAA RTT for UAS Traffic Management,” which supports the Management (UTM). During The Airbus team presented ATD Project within AOSP under the afternoon session, a group of recent study results related to the Technologies for Airplane participants was asked to create a psychophysiological measures State Awareness Sub Project. consistent approach for the content for human monitoring. Airbus and format of UAS data exchanges is particularly focused on the Airbus, like NASA, is a member to enable their integration into the understanding and detection of of CAST. All content presented National Airspace System. NASA “incapacitation and fascination” to Airbus is already publicly presented their concept of the —what the TfAM team refers to available. The TfAM team members UTM architecture, including roles as “channelized attention.” Airbus include Angela Harrivel, Ray and responsibilities, and defined and TfAM determined that there Comstock, Lance Prinzel, Alan what data exchange they perceive is is significant direct overlap in Pope, Trey Arthur, Kyle Ellis, required between the UAS operator their respective research aims. Randy Bailey, Chad Stephens. and the FAA. They asked industry 10 AOSP NEWSLETTER // JUL-SEP 2016

TECHNICAL AND PROGRAMMATIC HIGHLIGHTS participants to drive and define the data exchange requirements for UAS operators and support services. Once defined, NASA will test the concepts and gather data for FAA review. From this meeting, a focused working group was formed and tasked with providing the following deliverables within four weeks: definition of data AOL Researchers Gita Hodell (left) and Kostas Speridakos (right) during IDM HOOTL simulation. schema, protocols, and procedures for UAS data exchange, and a date System Trajectory Based Operations port a clearer comparison of benefits for simulation testing. Joey Rios (TBO) team met with Rob Hunt, between a baseline condition and of NASA’s Ames Research Center Manager of the FAA’s ATO Technical two variations of IDM. Run duration will set the meeting dates and work Analysis and Operational Require- for the HOOTL was extended from with the RTT. NASA will provide ments, and Patricia Horan, Manager three hours to five hours to increase initial UTM schema, data exchange of the FAA’s En Route Operational the sample size. Several features of protocol, annual performance Concepts and Requirements. The the simulation setup and scenarios indicators, and architecture purpose of the meeting was to were changed based on findings documentation as a starting point. provide an update on recent Inte- from the earlier study, including The goal of this group is to finalize grated Demand Management (IDM) environmental wind errors and the message exchanges across activities, which included a demo in TBFM settings. Human interactions architecture elements and to conduct the Airspace Operations Laboratory with the simulation environment a data exchange demonstration. of an upcoming IDM “HOOTL” were reduced, and either automated (Human-out-of-the-Loop) simula- or strictly proceduralized. This was Federal Aviation tion scheduled for August. in marked contrast to the earlier Administration Interest study, where methods, task timing, in Ongoing NASA Work The HOOTL simulation study was and scheduling decisions represented on Trajectory-based completed August 15 through 19. critical components that were left Operations and Integrated This study evaluated the effectiveness to the discretion of subject matter Demand Management of the IDM concept for precon- experts. A preliminary comparison POC: PAUL LEE AND CONNIE BRASIL ditioning traffic into Time Based of key quantitative metrics—ground Flow Management (TBFM) during delay, airborne delay, and runway On July 21, 2016, the Federal a high-demand arrival flow into throughput—indicated that IDM Aviation Administration (FAA) Newark International Airport. The preconditioning can greatly reduce and NASA held a quarterly review HOOTL, led by Connie Brasil of the airborne delay, when compared to a at NASA’s Ames Research Center. San Jose State University Research baseline condition, while maintaining At the meeting, the Shadow Mode Foundation, presented a follow-on to a similar level of throughput. On the Assessments Using Realistic Tech- an earlier human-in-the-loop (HITL) last day of the simulation, a telecon nologies for the National Airspace evaluation that was modified to sup- was conducted with the Collaborative AOSP NEWSLETTER // JUL-SEP 2016 11

TECHNICAL AND PROGRAMMATIC HIGHLIGHTS

Decision Making Flow Evaluation tions, and Novel New York Airspace concepts and technologies with FAA Team to share these initial observa- Configurations. The meeting ended plans, possible technology transfer tions and to discuss results from the with plans to start a recurring points, and future collaboration. January HITL and future plans. TBO workshop between the FAA, NASA, and other stakeholders. Presentation of the Federal Aviation Aeronautics Research Administration Next A follow-on meeting was again held Mission Directorate Thrust Generation Air Transportation at NASA’s Langley on August 10 6 (Autonomy) Roadmap System Team Visits NASA and 11, in which seven people from POC: SHIVANJLI SHARMA POC: SHON GRABBE AND BRYAN BARMORE the FAA’s NextGen Office partici- pated, including the NextGen Chief The NASA Aeronautics Research Mis- On July 21, 2016, Paul Fontaine, Scientist, Steve Bradford. Discussion sion Directorate (ARMD) Thrust 6 Acting Federal Aviation Admin- and demonstration topics included Strategic Roadmap, Assured Autonomy istration (FAA) Deputy Assistant the TASAR concept led by David for Aviation Transformation, was Administrator for NextGen, John Wing, New York Novel Airspace presented to the National Academy Maffei, Acting Director for Portfo- Configurations led by Trish Glaab, of Sciences’ Aeronautics Research lio Management and Technology and Advanced 4D Trajectories led by and Technology Roundtable panel Development, Wes Wright, and Bryan Barmore. Additional techni- and the 2014 Autonomy Study Dr. C. Marc Buntin visited NASA’s cal demonstrations were provided committee on August 2, 2016, by Langley Research Center for a by SMART-NAS Test-Bed Team Shivanjli Sharma. Approximately Technical Interchange Meeting on Lead Mike Guminsky. Randy Bailey, 50 individuals attended the meet- Trajectory-Based Operations (TBO). Lynda Kramer, and Steve Young ing, including senior members The FAA is starting a second wave spoke about Flight Deck Interface from industry and academia in of development in support of the Technologies for NextGen, and the aeronautics discipline, senior Next Generation Air Transporta- Ray Comstock presented a discus- NASA officials in ARMD, and tion System (NextGen), which is sion on UAS in the NAS. The New researchers and roadmap team focused on enabling TBO. The York Novel Airspace, Advanced members from a number of NASA Airspace Operations and Safety 4DT, and SMART-NAS Test Bed centers. The primary purpose of the Program is starting formulation for components are all sponsored by the meeting was to review the Thrust a new project focused on TBO. The current SMART NAS Test-Bed for 6 roadmap and evaluate it against meeting kicked off an exchange of Safe Trajectory based Operations the recommendations of the 2014 ideas between NASA and the FAA. Project. Attendees showed significant National Research Council (NRC) Buntin presented an overview of interest in the showcased technolo- Aviation Autonomy study. Sharma the FAA’s TBO high-level concept gies, especially those concerned with also presented a comparison of the document. NASA presented work increasing aircraft and user partici- roadmap with the recommendations on Traffic Aware Strategic Air- pation in air traffic management. from the NRC study. The roadmap crew Request (TASAR), Pair-wise Much of the discussion revolved presentation outlined a vision of Trajectory Management (PTM), around potential integration the future of autonomy in aviation Advanced 4D Trajectory Opera- opportunities for NASA-developed over the next 25 years and beyond, 12 AOSP NEWSLETTER // JUL-SEP 2016

TECHNICAL AND PROGRAMMATIC HIGHLIGHTS and described specific research ing, system analysis, field shadow the National Airspace System themes and advancement strategies evaluations, and ATD-2 concept of program Test-Bed Team (SNTB) that will be needed to achieve this use. Participants included collaborat- Control Center, which launched vision. The committee provided ing team members from the FAA, multiple instantiations of the DAA substantive comments and feedback, and representatives from Charlotte algorithm used during the test including thoughts on how to form Douglas International Airport’s Air flight. Data gathered during this partnerships with industry to help Traffic Control Tower and Volpe. test flight represent some of the support research challenges, and Future offerings of ATD2U at first looks at DAA configuration how NASA can move forward with NASA’s Ames Research Center will and capability for UASs operating future research and development to be held on an as-needed basis. in an actual terminal area with live implement beneficial autonomous commercial and general aviation applications in civil aviation. Terminal Area Detect and traffic, in tower-controlled Federal Avoid Live Flight Research Aviation Administration Class D ATD-2 University at NASA’s with SMART NAS Test Bed airspace. One primary goal of SNTB Ames Research Center POC: MIKE GUMINSKY is to enable higher technology POC: AL CAPPS readiness-level testing of key On August 4, 2016, NASA’s Langley aeronautics technologies operating On August 2 and 3, 2016, mem- Research Center launched two in live, virtual, and constructive bers of the Airspace Technology aircraft: the SR-22, representing an environments, as demonstrated Demonstration-2 (ATD-2) team Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) during this flight test activity. presented the fifth ATD-2 University Surrogate aircraft, and the C206, (ATD2U), hosted at NASA’s Ames operating as a target aircraft. The ATD Briefings to REDAC Research Center. The two days of airplanes were used to conduct NAS Ops Subcommittee presentations and discussions covered a terminal area detect and avoid POC: SHERI BROWN the foundational Federal Aviation (DAA) flight test demonstration. Administration (FAA) and NASA The NASA aircraft flew to Newport On August 9 and 10, 2016, the technologies that ATD-2 is build- News/Williamsburg International Airspace Technology Demonstra- ing on. The first topic covered the Airport, and downlinked flight data tion (ATD) team provided briefings FAA three T’s: Time-Based Flow to NASA’s Langley Research Center at the Research Engineering and Management, Traffic Flow Manage- UAS Ground Control Station. Development Advisory Committee ment System, and Terminal Flight During the test, the aircraft ran the National Airspace System Ops Sub- Data Manager. The next presenta- NASA Daedalus DAA algorithm committee Meeting in Washington, tions discussed NASA’s Precision during multiple traffic-pattern UAS DC. Over the two days, multiple Departure Release Capability and encounter geometries, which were sessions were held covering ATD Spot and Runway Departure Advi- observed from commercial, general project activities. Two sessions on the sor, and the “what” and “where” of aviation, and NASA target aircraft first day included briefings on the ATD-2. The ATD2U also included flying in the airport’s traffic pattern. ATD-1 Sub Project Overview and briefings about the latest Time-Based The flight data and algorithm the ATD-1 Operational Integration Flow Management and surface were connected in real-time to Assessment (OIA) Joint Test with electronic integration, surface tactical the Shadow Mode Assessments the Federal Aviation Administration departure scheduling, surface model- Using Realistic Technologies for (FAA). Sessions on the second day AOSP NEWSLETTER // JUL-SEP 2016 13

TECHNICAL AND PROGRAMMATIC HIGHLIGHTS included overviews of ATD-2 and and discuss objectives. Workshop Wing of NASA’s Langley Research ATD-3 concepts, technologies, goals, presentations included examples of Center, and Bob Vivona of Engility and collaborations. In the meeting, projects and applications from NASA Corporation, highlighted the unique the group discussed the foundational and industry that focus on airline features and capabilities of the TAP technologies and research that NASA operations (as opposed to air traffic software to scores of attendees. Feed- is building on with ATDs, and the control or traditional aeronautics). back on the TASAR presentation ‘what’ and ‘where’ of ATDs. Col- With the assistance and input of and TAP technology demonstrations laborating team members from the industry, breakout sessions were was highly positive, and comments FAA’s William J. Hughes Technical held to gather suggestions to guide received indicated a growing con- Center were in attendance to present future NASA work in airline systems sensus of the value of integrating air their activities, views, and the ben- automation. The workshop helped and ground trajectory management efits of working specifically on the to create a network of researchers, technologies. Multiple vendors, joint FAA and NASA ATD-1 OIA developers, and users of airline opera- including several small businesses, Test that occurred in May of 2015. tions tools that will be a resource expressed technology-transfer inter- The information on the complexity for future efforts in this domain. est in TAP, and follow-up discussions of the ATD activities was well- are expected after the workshop. received and the subcommittee rec- TASAR Briefings at AOW ognized the significance of the ATDs and RTCA NextGen Advisory At the RTCA Meeting, Wing briefed as the fundamental basis for a full Committee Task Group the RTCA’s NextGen Advisory Trajectory-Based Operations future. POC: DAVID WING Committee task group on Time, Speed, and Spacing (TSS) aspects Airline Operations David Wing of NASA’s Langley of Performance Based Navigation Workshop Held at NASA’s Research Center conducted briefings (PBN). This briefing was specifically Ames Research Center of NASA’s Traffic Aware Strategic requested by the Federal Aviation POC: RICHARD MOGFORD Aircrew Requests (TASAR) concept Administration’s (FAA’s) NextGen and technology to attendees at both Chief Scientist, Steve Bradford, An Airlines Operations Workshop the Airline Operations Workshop, after he received a briefing and (AOW) was held at NASA’s Ames held at NASA’s Ames Research Cen- demo on August 10 at NASA’s Research Center Conference Center ter from August 2 through 4, 2016, Langley Research Center. The PBN Building at Moffett Field, California, and at the Radio Technical Com- TSS Task Group is composed of from August 2 through 4, 2016. mission for Aeronautics (RTCA) representatives from virtually all Dr. Richard Mogford, a senior NextGen Advisory Committee Task stakeholder groups that have been researcher within Aerospace Opera- Group, which met on August 23. engaged in PBN development and tions and Safety Program, organized implementation, complemented by the event. This workshop gathered TASAR features cockpit technology a diverse set of FAA PBN subject together government and private that includes Traffic Aware Planner matter experts. The goal of the PBN sector interests whose research and (TAP) software, an application TSS effort is to “keep the aircraft on development work supports the developed by NASA that looks for the PBN procedure from en route airlines (airline operations center and flight-optimization opportunities to to the runway while maintaining or flight deck). About 200 experts in save flight time, fuel burn, or overall increasing capacity.” Bradford identi- the field met to exchange new ideas trip cost. Kelly Burke and David fied TASAR as being a potential 14 AOSP NEWSLETTER // JUL-SEP 2016

TECHNICAL AND PROGRAMMATIC HIGHLIGHTS

TAP technology displayed in cockpit. tool in achieving this goal through a 2016 Oklahoma Unmanned try in Oklahoma. Over 100 people user-driven path stretching to meet a Aircraft Systems Summit registered for this event, which scheduled arrival time. The briefing POC: WILLIAM CHAN included presentations from NASA, was well-received and sparked sig- the Federal Aviation Administra- nificant discussion. As a result of the On August 9, 2016, the Unmanned tion (FAA), the National Oceanic briefing, TASAR may be included Systems Alliance of Oklahoma and Atmospheric Association, the in the PBN TSS 15-year plan as a hosted the sixth annual statewide University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma tool in meeting the PBN TSS goal. summit, whose purpose was to sup- State University, Hogan Lovells law port the unmanned systems indus- firm, and the University of Colo- AOSP NEWSLETTER // JUL-SEP 2016 15

TECHNICAL AND PROGRAMMATIC HIGHLIGHTS rado at Boulder. Discussion top- a demonstration of the current Eric Mueller from the Chief ics included how various research functionality of the DRAW decision Engineer’s Office at NASA’s Ames groups are using Unmanned Aerial support tool. Following a positive Research Center, Jim Price from Systems for environmental moni- and encouraging discussion, the NASA’s Langley Research Center, toring and weather research. The workshop shifted to discussing the and Rhonda Fitz from NASA’s Inde- summit also included discussions operational details of a number pendent Verification and Validation related to policy, legal updates, and of actual weather scenarios. The (IV&V) team. The reviews focused the Small UAS Part 107 FAA Rules. DRAW researchers gained valuable on the development of the system William Chan of NASA’s Ames feedback to help focus the design of requirements and their relationship Research Center provided a UAS upcoming high-fidelity, controllers- to the Sub Project objectives, systems Traffic Management (UTM) proj- in-the-loop DRAW simulations. engineering processes in place to ect overview, including research manage requirements, V&V activi- on estimating weather impacts to System Requirements Reviews ties, Key Performance Parameters, UAS at low-altitude operations. for ATD-2 and ATD-3 and management implementation POC: RONALD JOHNSON plans. The IRB verbal brief-outs Dynamic Routes for Arrivals in each day conveyed positive feedback Weather Dynamic Routes for On August 17 and 18, 2016, System on the progress and state of both Arrivals in Weather Workshop Requirements Reviews (SRR) were Sub Projects since their Formula- POC: CHESTER GONG held on the Airspace Technology tion Reviews in November 2015. Demonstrations (ATD) Sub Projects, Formal reports from the IRB are On August 10, 2016, the Airspace and on the ATD-3 Applied Air expected over the next three weeks. Technology Demonstration-3 Traffic Management and ATD-2 (ATD-3) Sub Project hosted a Integrated Arrival, Departure, and Gogo Takes Steps Toward one-day workshop for the Dynamic Surface Sub Projects, respectively. TASAR Commercialization Routes for Arrivals in Weather An Independent Review Board POC: DAVID WING (DRAW) technology at NASA’s (IRB) convened by the Ames Chief Ames Research Center. The DRAW Engineer’s Office reviewed both On August 18, 2016, David workshop included 10 subject projects. The IRB included members Wing of NASA’s Langley Research matter experts in air traffic flow who are experts in air traffic manage- Center met with representatives management with experience ment research, project management, from Gogo Business Aviation in operations during convective systems engineering, and software in Broomfield, Colorado, to weather, and 5 representatives from engineering, as well as Steve Brad- discuss commercializing Traffic the Federal Aviation Administra- ford, the Chief Scientist from the Aware Strategic Aircrew Requests tion’s Air Traffic Organization. The Federal Aviation Administration’s (TASAR). Gogo is moving workshop opened with a presenta- NextGen Organization, which is the forward in their exploration of tion on the DRAW concept, which ultimate customer for the ATD-2 the commercialization potential aims to improve arrival traffic and 3 technologies. Panel members for TASAR, and they’ve identified flow when weather impacts arrival also included Chairperson Ezinne the business aviation market as routing into major airports, and Uzo-Okoro, Todd Lauderdale and potentially the best initial market 16 AOSP NEWSLETTER // JUL-SEP 2016

TECHNICAL AND PROGRAMMATIC HIGHLIGHTS opportunity. Wing briefed the Gogo at GE. These experts described International Air Traffic Business Aviation team on TASAR, their V&V needs and challenges, Control Association visit to provided a demonstration of the and shared their experiences using Ames Research Center TAP software, and outlined how the methods and tools available in POC: KATHARINE LEE software leverages the “connected the commercial sector. In the aircraft” environment championed second part of the workshop, Mike On August 22 and 23, 2016, by Gogo. The meeting generated Durling presented the V&V tools Director of Air Traffic Management positive energy and enthusiasm that GE is developing and asked Robert Eagles and Head of ATM for moving the technology into NASA and Toyota to describe their Engineering Noppadol Pringvanich the market, and Gogo expects to research efforts in V&V. Brat then of the International Air Transport redouble its efforts in this regard. described the current and future Association (IATA) visited NASA’s To that end, they signed an updated V&V capabilities developed by Ames Research Center. The purpose Software Usage Agreement for the NASA to reduce the cost associated of the visit was to discuss potential latest version of the Traffic Aware with V&V, while still maintaining collaboration opportunities. Discus- Planner software, and plan to reach the current high-level of safety in sion focused on the respective and out to the Technology Transfer aviation. Brat also identified the joint work areas for NASA and Office of NASA’s Langley Research tools that are ready to be used by IATA, with special emphasis on Center’s for the next steps. industry, emphasizing the fact that Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) NASA’s primary targets are aviation and UAS Traffic Management. In GE Internal Verification and systems. In contrast, Toyota listed addition to participating in technical Verification Workshop research efforts, rather than point- discussions, the visitors were given POC: GUILLAUME BRAT ing to available tools. Verification a tour of the Air Traffic Operations and Validation experts in healthcare Lab and the NASA small UAS On August 15, 2016, Dr. Guillaume (in particular, those developing Autonomy Research Complex, Brat of NASA’s Ames Research CT scanners) and transportation and met with senior research Center visited the General Electric were very interested in the NASA managers supporting Airspace (GE) Global Research Center in tools. The aviation system experts Operations and Safety Program. Niskayuna, New York, to discuss and the office of chief engineer at the expanding use of Verification GE showed great interest in using UTM Comm and and Validation (V&V) technology the NASA tools. For example, the Spectrum Meeting developed at NASA. The discus- aircraft engine business unit is quite POC: PARIMAL KOPARDEKAR sion occurred in the context of the interested in the model checking first GE-internal V&V workshop, capabilities for their Safety-Critical A kick-off meeting for a new focus organized by Mike Durling and Application Development Environ- group on Unmanned Aerial Systems John Garrity of GE’s Global ment models, and the aviation Traffic Management (UTM) related Research Center. The workshop business unit is interested in the communications, spectrum, and was attended by V&V experts whole tool chain (from require- other considerations was held on from many different business units ments to code). Brat expressed August 25, 2016, at NASA’s Ames (including aviation, gas, power, plans to work with Durling over Research Center. Approximately transportation, sensor, healthcare, the next few months to make this 70 subject matter experts (about and their office of chief engineer) technology transfer a reality. 50 in person and the rest remotely) AOSP NEWSLETTER // JUL-SEP 2016 17

TECHNICAL AND PROGRAMMATIC HIGHLIGHTS attended the meeting. Participants Airspace System program Test-Bed; team members, which included IOC included representatives from the Chester Gong discussed the Air- Vice President Lorne Cass, IOC Federal Communications Com- space Technology Demonstration-3 Managing Director Scott Ramsay, mission (FCC), industry operators (ATD-3) Sub Project and Dynamic Air Traffic Management Managing and carriers, the Federal Aviation Routes for Arrivals in Weather Director Marc Gross, Air Traffic Administration, and other NASA capability; and Yoon Jung, the Management Director Tim Niznik, Centers. The objective of the meet- associate principle investigator of the and Information Technology Direc- ing was to gain an understanding NextGen Concepts and Technology tor John Nash. Cass expressed his of command and control tracking Department Project, discussed the appreciation of the time and effort spectrum and frequencies, especially ATD-2 Sub Project. The visitors also the team put into their discussion of as they pertain to UTM. The group participated in presentations from this work, and showed strong sup- agreed to develop use cases and the Human Systems Integration and port of this collaboration. American operating profiles to assist the FCC the Intelligent Systems Divisions. Airlines indicated their intent to use in taking the next steps forward NASCENT more often once their related to spectrum and frequency. NASA Weather Rerouting single Flight Operating Service certi- Tool Deployed at American fication is completed on October 1. Visit from Korean Airlines Airlines Operations Center POC: WILLIAM CHAN POC: KAPIL SHETH Federal Aviation Administration hosts Aerospace Operations and Safety At the end of August 2016, NASA ATD-2 Testing Kick-off Program (AOSP) researchers hosted Airspace Technology Demonstra- Meeting at William J. visitors from Korean Airlines, which tion-3 (ATD-3) project leads and Hughes Technical Center included Vice President of Safety research and development staff POC: JANE THIPPHAVONG and Security In Gyu Kim, General traveled to the American Airlines Manager of Safety Hyuck You, and (AAL) Integrated Operations Center On September 13, 2016, the NASA Safety Team Manager Yun Ik Jang. (IOC). There, the group deployed Airspace Technology Demonstra- The meeting took place August NASA’s National Airspace System tion-2 (ATD-2) team met with 30 and 31, 2016, at NASA’s Ames Constraint Evaluation and Notifica- Federal Aviation Administration Research Center. In support of the tion Tool (NASCENT), which (FAA) representatives to kick-off visit, several aerospace engineers is the agency’s National Airspace discussions on the Time-Based from NASA’s Ames Research Center System-based single flight rerouting Flow Management (TBFM) testing in California gave presentations on advisory software. During the visit, strategy for field demonstrations. current AOSP research activities. two AAL senior air traffic control NASA is proposing integration of William Chan presented Air Traf- (ATC) coordinators were trained the ATD-2 surface system Termi- fic Management weather research, on NASCENT functionality, and nal Fight Data Manager (TFDM) with emphasis on turbulence both indicated their eagerness to stand-in with the operational TBFM modeling; Kee Palopo of NASA’s evaluate time-saving opportunities Integrated Departure Arrival Capa- Ames Research Center in California for the AAL flights across many of bility web services routing tool briefed the group on the Shadow their centers. The NASA team also (WSRT) capability to enable dem- Mode Assessments Using Realistic provided an overview of the ATD-3 onstration of 3T-like integration in Technologies for the National Sub Project to AAL management the field. The FAA is finalizing the 18 AOSP NEWSLETTER // JUL-SEP 2016

TECHNICAL AND PROGRAMMATIC HIGHLIGHTS implementation design, targeting tions (TBO) concept with subject TBFM release 4.7. The FAA par- matter experts and potential TBO ticipants included the co-lead of the end users (airline pilots and retired Integrated Arrival, Departure, and center air traffic controllers). Attend- Surface Research Transition Team, ees included representatives from and representatives from the FAA’s NASA, airline pilots, and retired air William J. Hughes Technical Center traffic controllers. Testing was con- TBFM and Surface Trajectory-Based ducted over five days in the Air Traf-

Operations (STBO) system support Surface CDM Team and ATD-2 team members. fic Operations Laboratory, during and test team. NASA briefed the which participants were briefed on participants on the ATD-2 system component based on automation the TBO concept and participated and the FAA provided an overview previously developed by the SCT. in an interactive demonstration of of the TBFM and STBO lab where The groups discussed the availabil- various TBO methods of rerout- release testing is conducted. Follow- ity and accuracy of airline flight- ing aircraft around weather such on meetings will focus on setting up readiness information required for as Dynamic Required Navigation the ATD-2 surface system in the test trajectory predictions in ATD-2 that Performance, Dynamic Area Navi- lab, and detailing test procedures. extend from the gate prior to push- gation, Required Time of Arrival, back. They also discussed current Advanced Interval Management, on- Surface CDM Team Meeting at airline on-time departure metrics demand metering, and user-preferred Charlotte International Airport that are potentially at odds with routing. Overall, the participants POC: RICH COPPENBARGER metering holds prescribed at the were supportive of the TBO concept gate. The SCT expressed willingness presented and felt the concept could On September 21, 2016, NASA’s to provide data to NASA and col- provide many benefits, such as ATD-2 team provided a demonstra- laborate on ways to redefine on-time reduced workload and time and fuel tion to the joint Federal Aviation departure metrics during metering savings whenever aircraft must be Administration and industry Sur- operations. The team was encour- rerouted. Participant feedback will face Collaborative Decision-Making aged by the progress observed in the be documented and incorporated Team (SCT) on the ATD-2 auto- Charlotte lab and expressed their into future TBO concepts and mation operating at the Charlotte enthusiasm for continued engage- research activities. Results will be International Airport Laboratory ment with NASA on ATD-2. presented in a NASA report and pos- (CLT) with live input data. The sible conference paper in the future. SCT includes representatives from Advanced 4D Trajectory the major U.S. commercial airlines Focus Group Activity Avionics Phase 2 Build 1 and general aviation industry, who POC: SHERI BROWN Demonstration and Flight visited the lab as part of a meet- Interval Management ing held at the American Airlines An Advanced 4D Trajectory Focus POC: WILL JOHNSON training center. NASA provided Group Activity was conducted at an overview of recent shadow test- NASA’s Langley Research Center The Airspace Technology Demon- ing activities at CLT and its plans from September 8 through 19, stration-1 (ATD-1) team—includ- to evaluate the strategic departure- 2016. The purpose was to discuss a ing members from NASA, Boeing, scheduling component of ATD-2—a mid-term Trajectory-based Opera- Honeywell, United Airlines and the AOSP NEWSLETTER // JUL-SEP 2016 19

TECHNICAL AND PROGRAMMATIC HIGHLIGHTS

Federal Aviation Administration development on technologies that a paperless system that provides a (FAA)—conducted several meet- help airspace users avoid convec- single source of collective informa- ings from September 27 through tive weather and gain flight time tion. Under the FAA’s Terminal 29, 2016, to discuss preparations and fuel savings via flight plan Flight Data Manager Program for the upcoming Flight Inter- route corrections in en route air- Office’s early implementation effort, val Management flight test, and space. The first of three research AEFS is being deployed on a limited received a demonstration of the transition products defined by the basis, and will include deployment Avionics Phase 2 prototype system. Applied Traffic Flow Management to Charlotte International Airport On September 27, meetings were Research Transition Team plan were in 2017 to support NASA’s ATD-2 conducted in Phoenix at the Honey- transferred to the Federal Aviation Field Demonstration. An interface well Flight Operations Facility and Administration in September 2016, between the ATD-2 and AEFS ramp, where facilitators conducted a including NASA’s Dynamic Weather systems is under development to walkthrough of the Honeywell 757 Routes (DWR) concept of opera- provide scheduling information flight test aircraft that will be used tions, 23 DWR-focused technical electronically. The ATD-2 team will in the ATD-1 flight test. On Sep- publications, functional and per- use these AEFS training systems tember 28, organizers conducted formance requirements, and proto- to develop software requirements meetings at the Boeing facilities type software and documentation. for the field demonstrations. The outside of Seattle, where they held AEFS training systems at NASA are a data-gathering workshop, demon- Federal Aviation currently configured for Cleveland stration of the flight test operational Administration Advanced Airport, and accommodate a Traf- testing, and a walkthrough of the Electronic Flight Strips fic Management Coordinator and operations center. On September 29, Training Systems three controller positions, such as local FAA facility managers hosted Setup in NASA labs local, ground, and clearance delivery. a review of flight test operations at POC: MICHELLE ESHOW NASA’s North Texas Research Sta- the FAA’s Seattle Center. Later that tion will receive one of the training day, a demonstration of the Avionics From September 26 through 28, systems, which will be set up in the Phase 2 Build 1 system was provided 2016, Federal Aviation Admin- ATD-2 lab for deployment testing. at the Honeywell facilities in Red- istration (FAA) contractors from mond, Washington. The meetings DTIS Corporation configured highlighted the progress demon- two Advanced Electronic Flight strated across many areas in antici- Strips (AEFS) training systems and pation of the upcoming flight tests, conducted two days of training for which are targeted for early 2017. the NASA Airspace Technology Demonstration-2 (ATD-2) team. ATD-3 Technology The prototype AEFS system was cre- Transfer 1 Completed ated and designed by the Terminal POC: KAPIL SHETH Second Level Engineering team from the FAA’s William J. Hughes Techni- Under the Airspace Technology cal Center to replace paper flight Demonstration-3 Sub Project, progress strips used by air traffic NASA is performing research and controllers. The AEFS system offers 20 AOSP NEWSLETTER // JUL-SEP 2016

RECOGNITION

Drones: Sharing the Airspace and the Future of Aviation, which the FAA, and industry initiated POC: TOM PREVOT took place on August 2, 2016. The their first working group, which OSTP asked Kopardekar to help is focused on the commonalities On July 27, 2016, Dr. Thomas facilitate a breakout group discus- of data and trajectory definition, Prevot participated on the “Drones: sion on “Low Altitude Airspace and entry into and exit from FAA Sharing the Airspace” panel at the Operations/Unmanned Aerial Air Traffic Management systems. Experimental Aircraft Associa- Systems (UAS) Traffic Management tion’s (EAA) AirVenture Oshkosh (UTM).” Other facilitators for this Patent Awarded on Optimum 2016. The CEO of AirMap, Ben group included Chris Swider, Steve Strategies for Selecting Marcus, moderated the panel, which Bradford, and Jay Merkle from the Descent Flight-Path Angles included Dave Vos, project lead Federal Aviation Administration POC: GILBERT WU for Google’s Project Wing, Joseph (FAA), and Sean Cassidy of Amazon Morra, Manager of Safety and Data Prime Air. There were from 35 to In August 2016, the U.S. Patent and Flight Operations of the FAA’s 40 participants in the group. Initial Office approved a patent application Office of Unmanned Aerial Systems group discussions focused on UTM from Dr. Gilbert Wu on Optimum (UAS) integration, and Jack Pelton, and why it is needed. Participants Strategies for Selecting Descent President of the EAA. The panel then delved further into the details Flight-Path Angles. The technol- discussed how industry, government, of UTM and the concept of opera- ogy addresses the issue of trajec- and academia are working together tions. The FAA also commented that tory predictability by computing to allow for safe and efficient it has embraced the notion of UTM adaptable, fuel- and cost-efficient, shared-use of the National Airspace and the need for working collab- and flyable descent profiles for System by manned and unmanned oratively. At the conclusion of the one or more aircraft on an arrival aircraft. Prevot discussed NASA’s roundtable discussion, participants route over a specific duration. The UAS Traffic Management (UTM) left with a better understanding of potential benefits of this technology research in this context. The panel why UTM is necessary for applica- include improving throughput and discussion was well-attended and tions such as beyond visual line reducing airline operating costs. favorably received by many general of sight, high density and scalable aviation pilots and representatives operations, enabling exception TAP Wins NASA Software of industry and government. handling (currently not possible in of the Year Award small rule where aircraft must travel POC: DAVID WING First-Ever White House above 400 feet, fly in controlled Office of Science Technology environments, etc.), and facilitating Software teams from NASA’s Policy Workshop on Drones information about UAS and manned Langley Research Center and and the Future of Aviation operations to and from operators for NASA’s Ames Research Center POC: PARIMAL KOPARDEKAR safety. The FAA was asked about its were selected as co-winners of the current priorities, given the UTM 2016 NASA Software of the Year Dr. Parimal Kopardekar of NASA’s value proposition, and responded Award for The Traffic Aware Planner Ames Research Center was invited that exception handling and trajec- (TAP), developed at NASA’s Langley to participate in the White House’s tory and constraint notification Research Center. As a cockpit-based Office of Science and Technology will be offered through UTM data software tool, TAP is used to aid Policy (OSTP) Workshop on Drones exchanges. A few weeks ago, NASA, pilots in identifying in-flight route- AOSP NEWSLETTER // JUL-SEP 2016 21

RECOGNITION optimization opportunities that are joint publication of the Engineering application, which is the imple- de-conflicted from known traffic, Directorate and the Research Direc- mentation of the TASAR concept. weather, and restricted airspace. torate supporting the ATD-1 project Both the presentation and software Packaged for low-cost implementa- at NASA’s Langely Research Center. demonstration were well-attended tion as a “change request” tool, and and generated interest from profes- leveraging the emerging trend of Human Factors and Ergonomic sionals in several domains, including aircraft connectivity, the TAP soft- Society Conference human factors, aviation, govern- ware represents the first key trans- POC: KELLY BURKE ment, and military. Participants formational step towards operational inquired about TAP functionality, autonomy by enabling aircrews to Dr. Kelly Burke of NASA’s Langley usability, and software licensing become proactive managers of their Research Center attended the 2016 options, and expressed interest in trajectories, while providing today’s Human Factors and Ergonomics potential partnerships with NASA. operators with a direct operational Society International Annual Meet- benefit of this critical first step. In ing held in Washington, DC, from addition to interest by the Federal September 19 through 23. During Aviation Administration, TAP has the conference, Burke presented a generated immediate and significant paper entitled “Flight Test Assess- attention from the aviation com- ments of Pilot Workload, System munity for its operational and Usability, and Situation Awareness commercial potential. Inventors of TASAR.” Co-authors of the paper include David Wing, Mark Bal- include David Wing (also from lin, Kelly Burke, Robert Vivona, Langley Research Center) and Mark David Roscoe, David Karr, Stephen Haynes of Advanced Aerospace DePascale, Sharon Woods, Brendan Solutions. Traffic Aware Strategic LeFebvre, and Andres Danziger. Aircrew Requests (TASAR) is a NASA-developed onboard automa- ATD-1 Journal Article tion concept intended to identify Published in “Quality trajectory improvement opportuni- Engineering” ties clear of known traffic, weather, POC: SHERI BROWN and airspace restrictions prior to the aircrew initiating a trajectory-change Recently, the Airspace Technology request to Air Traffic Control. The Demonstration-1 (ATD-1) project presentation focused on the results published a journal article entitled of the subjective assessments of pilots “Statistical engineering approach to collected during the second flight test improve the realism of computer- of the TASAR project; specifically, simulated experiments with aircraft pilot workload, situational aware- trajectory clustering,” by Sara R. ness, and system usability. During Wilson, Kurt A. Swieringa, Robert the conference, Dr. Burke gave D. Leonard, Evan Freitag, and David a real-time demonstration of the J. Edwards. The journal article is a Traffic Aware Planner (TAP) software National Aeronautics and Space Administration Headquarters 300 E. Street, SW Washington, DC 20024 www.nasa.gov/aeroresearch

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