Flight Deck Human Factors Issues Related to Instrument Flight Procedures (IFPs) at High Density Airports (HDAs)

Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, Technical Reference Center2022PDFTech ReportChandra, DivyaSparko, Andrea L.John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.)United States. Federal Aviation Administration. NextGen Human Factors Division (ANG-C1)John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.)New York (New York)Aids to air navigationAir pilotsHuman factorsInstrument displaysInstrument flyingComplex variablesPerformance based navigationPNBMultiple airport route separationMARSOperational complexitySubjective complexityAirspace complexity for pilotsResiliencePilot resilient behaviorsNew YorkDOT-VNTSC-FAA-22-01This project addressed multiple research needs related to flight deck human factors perspectives on an emerging Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) concept known as Multiple Airport Route Separation (MARS). MARS is an Air Traffic Control (ATC) concept that relies upon the development of pairs of instrument flight procedures (IFPs) to deconflict flights into and out of locations with multiple high-density airports. We performed several research tasks: (a) a literature review, (b) exploration of the concept of airspace complexity for pilots, (c) collection and analysis of data about flight operations in the New York metropolitan region as a case study, (d) assessment of one proposed application of MARS for New York, and (e) exploration of pilot resilient behaviors. We developed several recommendations for MARS from these activities. MARS applications should consider site-specific conditions related to traffic mix, weather, and pre-existing IFPs that are challenging. Assessments of the proposed IFP geometries should include a conceptual flythrough, applying results from previous research on subjective complexity of IFPs to identify potential issues from the pilot\u2019s perspective. Additional recommendations for MARS on topics such as pilot education, flight-deck equipment issues, and communications about MARS with ATC may be forthcoming from a government-industry working group.127