Ground Based Navaids In The United States - Coursework Example

Student's Name: Course Name and Number: Instructor's Name: Date Submitted: Table of contents Introduction 2 Background of NAS 2 Classification of Airspace in the US 4 Navigation Aids (Navaids) 5 Conclusion 10 List of figures 12 Introduction The US National Airspace System (NAS) is undoubtedly the most complicated airspace system across the globe. NAS is comprised of air traffic controls and controllers, radar systems and airports, which are controlled by different safety technicians and inspectors on the ground. This system handles hundreds of thousands of passengers travelling within and outside US, as well as priceless cargoes annually. In order to ensure safety of the flights traversing US land, various state or the art navigational aides (Navaids) are fitted in the flights as well as airports, and they aid the pilots in their navigation process. This essay seeks to expound more on US national airspace system as well as ground based Navaids in the US. Background of NAS The history of NAS dates back to the mid 1920’s. During the time, the US had introduced powered flights in the US airspace, but safety operations and standards remained a key concern. According to Mc Clellan (1995), the US congress responded by passing the Commercial Air Act (1926) that charged the US department of commerce with the responsibility of enforcing safety standards and procedures, regulating the issuance of pilot licenses, regulating certification of aircrafts and ensuring maintenance of air navigation aids. As air activities increased, air traffic controls (ATC) were established in the airways to ensure a safe landing and takeoff, as well as safe separation between flights in the air. However, the ATC’s were primitive and they used maps and mental calculations in their control procedures. This necessitated invention of radars and control towers that used more advanced technology in ensuring safety in air operations. Invention of computers was also a milestone in the aviation industry. In the 1970’s, computer technology was merged with radar operations to enhance efficiency in air operations. This discovery aided in automation of different tasks as well as display of flight’s identity in terms of altitude, speed and bearing (Bowditch, 1995). In addition, this discovery aided the controllers in easy tracking of the flight in the airspace. Over the years, more advancements and technological sophistication in the aviation industry across the world have witnessed automation, cost effectiveness, safety, speed, superior communication and surveillance of the flights in the airspace. The contemporary NAS is composed of high-tech equipment and machinery. They include new radar systems, communication systems and technologies, GPS systems, weather forecast systems as well as free flight systems that enhance better efficiency on high altitude. Notably, the incidents of plane clashes and runway incursions have reduced significantly. The contemporary National Airspace System is characterized by a sophisticated interplay between different systems, laws, regulation and procedures, facilities and equipment that works hand in hand in ensuring safety and efficiency. According to Mohinder et al. (2010), NAS is comprised of over 700 air traffic controls fully equipped with state of the art equipment and systems. In addition, the system has comprehensive operational procedures and safety mechanisms established by FAA to maintain safety in the flights operations. The number of airports across US is estimated to be around 20,000 and is equipped with advanced control towers to ensure their efficiency (Mohinder et al., 2010). The airports are also endowed with instrument flight procedures, landing systems, localizers and positioning systems. Classification of Airspace in the US The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) has established four classifications of airspace. In his book Fundamentals of Air Traffic Control, Michael (2010) identifies the four categories as follows; controlled airspace, which is further divided into class A, B, C, D and E; uncontrolled airspace, special use airspace and other airspace. The first category, controlled airspace, is the busiest airspace in the system. It includes the airspace in airports and along aircraft routes where most aircrafts operate. The controlled airspace is further divided into classes A, B, C, D and E, based on the altitude and rules guiding the operations within the airspace (Michael, 2010). Class A ranges between 18,000 and 60,000 feet above sea level. This space is the most controlled since most aircrafts operates in this space; thus, pilots must get clearance before entering this space to avoid collision. Class B ranges between 0 feet and 10,000 feet and is equally heavily controlled. Pilots should also seek clearance before entering this space; though, visual flight reference can be used for the flight to enter this airspace. Class C ranges between 0 feet and 4000 feet and exists in airports with control towers, radar control and flight operation instrumentation. In this airspace, visual and instrument piloting is separated, and clearance is mandatory before pilots enter this space. Class D exists between 0 feet and 2500 feet and it is largely present in the airports with proper operating control towers. Pilot clearance and constant communication are mandatory prerequisites before entering and when in this airspace. Class E refers to airspace between classes A, B, C and E (between 0 feet and limits of the controlled airspace). The space is largely used by the flights traversing across different states (Douglas, 2009; Michael 2010). The pilot is at liberty of using either instrument or visual pilot option at this airspace. The second classification is the uncontrolled airspace that refers to any airspace that is not controlled or manned (Michael, 2010). This airspace is characterized by minimal entry and exit rules as well as altitude. In addition, this area has no tower and in-flight control, although communications can be started with the flight service stations. The third classification is special-use airspace, which is classified for only authorized access and users. The area is restricted and prohibited due to security threats that can be posed by flights traversing through this space, notably, military base. The last category is other airspace, which includes the airspaces with temporary flight restrictions (Michael, 2010). Navigation Aids (Navaids) Navigation aides are indispensable components of flight operations. They serve three fundamental purposes; that is, aiding in establishing location of the aircraft, aiding in identifying and avoiding dangers in the airspace and aiding in directing the pilot to his destination. The Navaids are divided into air-based and ground-based navigation aids. Air navigation aids There are various types of air navigation aids, which serve different purposes in flight’s operation. These aids are owned and operated by different entities such as Federal Aviation Authority (FAA), US army, navy and military as well as private companies and individuals. The FAA is the regulatory authority in the standardization, operations and maintenance of air navigation aids and facilities in the US. The air navigations aids include radio beacons, compass locators, voice transmitters and receivers, instrument landing system and distance measuring equipment (Michael, 2010). The Instrument Landing System (ILS) plays a vital role in establishing alignment and descent of an aircraft as it approaches the runway. The system provides diversified information, ranging from visual information (such as centerline lights and runway lights), range information (such as separation distance and marker beacon) and guidance information (such as localizer and glide slope). On the other hand, distance measuring equipments (DME) are used to establish separation distance between the flight and the ground as well as distance between two flights (Michael, 2010; Douglas, A, 2009). Ground based Navaids There are different types and classes of ground based Navaids that work together with air based Navaids in ensuring smooth flight operation across US. Control tower Control towers are ground based Navaids that controls and manages flight operations in the airspace around a given airport. In addition, tower controller processes flight plans, regulates ground movements of airplanes and clears landing and takeoffs in the airport. Controllers in a given control tower are regulated by the size of an airport, and they range from three up to fifteen controllers (Mohinder et al. 2010). In the US, control towers are common in different airports, and they enhance smooth flow of airplanes. Flight service stations (FSS) According to Douglas (2009), the FSS’s are responsible for briefing pilots before take-off, communication of en-routes, coordinating search and rescue mission when a flight gets lost in the airspace, communication of weather patterns in the airspace as well as monitoring of both air and ground Navaids. The US FSS’s are equipped with different technologies that aid the controllers and pilots to be in communication, in case of an incident in the airspace. Notably, FSS controllers and tower controllers work hand in hand in coordination of ground movements, take offs and landing of flights. Global positioning system (GPS) GPS is a requisite component of flight operations and procedures. In the US, the national airspace system uses GPS tools that comply with satellite navigation technology (SATNAV). GPS finds the location of an aircraft using the time spent in sending and receiving a signal from the satellite and displays the location using the geographical coordinates. In addition, the GPS technology provides information on speed, bearing and altitude of the flight (Mohinder et al., 2010). In order to ensure accuracy in tracking, both aircraft and control rooms are fitted with GPS tools. Radar system The radar system is comprised of radar returns and computer programs designed to give the controller information on flights in the airspace. In the US, Federation Aviation Authority operates two types of radar systems, which are Airport Surveillance Radar (ASR) and Air Route Surveillance Radar (ARSR) (Douglas, 2009). The airport surveillance radar (ASR) is used in establishing and coordinating the flow of traffic in a given airport as well as handling terminal area traffic. This radar provides short-range coverage within the airport environs. It provides information on aircraft’s position, speed and altitude; thus, eliminating the need for constant communications between the control and pilots in establishing the plane’s altitude and speed. ASR can handle and display information on various flights within the airport’s vicinity simultaneously. In contrast, ARSR is long-ranged radar that controls and manages air traffic in the airspace. In the US, there are more that 100ARSR’s that controls and manages the airspace at different locations. The ARSR’s can monitor different flights within a radius of between 200 and 600 miles from the airport; thus, ensuring effective control and management of the aircrafts traffic within a location (Douglas, 2009). The most recent radar technology adopted by the NAS is the Precision Runway Monitor (PRM). This high-tech radar enables air traffic control to schedule more precise air plans; hence, reducing instances of flight delays, cancellation and diversion in a given airspace (Michael, 2010). In addition, PRM boosts airspace and ground safety by equipping the air traffic controller with up to date and accurate images of the flight’s location during landing and takeoff. In turn, the air traffic controllers have more time to respond to any possible incursion and incase of a drift from the runway’s centerline. The PRM is also equipped with more controller staff that have specialized duty, thus boosting safety and efficiency in the runway operations. However, the pilots must participate in the PRM operations to realize the implied benefits of precise runway monitoring. Traffic informational service (TIS) TIS is a ground based service used for array and broadcast communication between the controllers and pilots. In addition, the system enhances collision and incursion avoidance in flight operations. The traffic information is displayed on the pilot’s cockpit, and it creates awareness of flights within 5 nautical miles and 1,000 foot altitude (Michael, 2010). This technology is increasing its popularity in the US owing to its affordability and compatibility with different types of aircrafts. Consequently, the technology has significantly lowered the incidences of runway incursion. Graphical Weather Services (GWS) GWS technology presents a graphical demonstration of weather conditions and weather forecast, which is displayed on the cockpit’s display units of all aircrafts. Weather conditions are an important consideration in flights operations, and GWS technology is constantly evolving to meet these needs (Mohinder et al., 2010). The weather information is captured from the ground and transferred to the aircrafts on transit. Flight Management System Flight management system is a complex computerized system that allows route preprogramming and briefing to the pilots. The system is comprised of GPS systems, reference systems, Control Display Unit (CDU) and various navigation assists that enhance smooth flow of flights both in space and on ground. Flight management system is composed of a comprehensive database that aids in automation and standardization of different flight operations (Douglas, 2009). This boosts efficiency and time-management in sharing and exchange of information between pilots and controllers. The advanced flights have an advanced electronic information system that displays information on altitudes, separation distance, direction, bearing, flight and engine information and etcetera. This technology emits minimal heat and consumes less power; thus, it does not compromise other the flight operations. Surveillance systems Surveillance systems aids in the transition from one place to another, establishing one’s location and establishing courses to follows based on the separation distance, altitude and bearing. Mc Clellan (1995) establishes that the surveillance systems are composed of radars, control tower and GPS systems that help in surveillance of a flight at different positions, and they keep track of the flight and gives guidance during the transit. In addition, surveillance aids in recovery and tracking of the flight in case it comes down due to various reasons. Conclusion The US NAS has seen numerous changes and adoption of technologies to what it is today. It is characterized by high technologies and contemporary equipment that works hand in hand to ensure smooth ground and air operation in the US airspace. The US airspace is classified into four broad categories based on the altitude and rules guiding the airspace. They include controlled airspace, which is further divided into class A, B, C, D and E; uncontrolled airspace, special use airspace and other airspace. Navigation aids are crucial components of flight operations. They are highly divided into air based Navaids and ground based Navaids. The air based navigation aids include radio beacons, compass locators, voice transmitters and receivers, instrument landing system and distance measuring equipment. On the other hand, the ground based navigation aids operate from the ground, and they operate simultaneously with air based navigation aids. They include surveillance system, flight management system, graphical weather system, traffic information service, radar system, global positioning system, flight service system and control towers. References Bowditch, N. (1995). The American Practical Navigator. Maryland: National Imagery and Mapping Agency. Douglas, A. (2009). On Integrating Unmanned Aircraft Systems into the National Airspace System. Intelligent Systems, Control and Automation: Science and Engineering. Volume 36, 131-140. Mc Clellan. (1995). The Flying Magazine. Vol. 122 (7). Michael, S. (2010). Fundamentals of Air Traffic Control. Washington: Cengage Learning Mohinder, S., et al. (2010). Global Positioning Systems, Inertial Navigation, and Integration. NJ: John Wiley & Sons List of figures Fig 1: National Airspace system status as at 14 Sep 2012, 20:08:54 UTC.  (Source: http://www.fly.faa.gov/ois/) Fig 2: NAVAIDS and communication boxes. (Source: http://www.faa.gov) Fig. 3: Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (Source: BF Goodrich Avionics Systems Inc.) Fig 4: Airline Flight Deck Instrument Displays (Source: http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/aviation/instrument_procedures_handbook/media/CH%2001a.pdf, pg. 21) Read More