Analysis of Potential Benefits
of Wind Dependent Parallel Arrival Operations
August 2005
Dr. Ralf H. Mayer, The MITRE Corporation
ABSTRACT
This paper documents the results of fast-time simulations evaluating
potential capacity benefits of procedure concepts developed for parallel
approaches to Closely Spaced Parallel Runways (CSPR) at airports with
runway spacing less than 2,500 feet. Currently, simultaneous arrival
operations at CSPR airports rely on visual meteorological conditions
(VMC). In inclement weather when visual procedures can no longer be
applied, simultaneous arrivals must be discontinued. Application of
standard aircraft separations based on Instrument Flight Rules (IFR)
effectively results in the loss of arrival operations on one of the
two runways, significantly reducing the arrival capacity of CSPR airports.
Proposed wind-dependent parallel approach concepts promise improvements
in arrival capacity at CSPR airports by enabling continued operations
of dual arrival streams in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC).
The concepts permit dependent parallel arrival operations when meteorological
conditions are determined to render approach paths free of wake vortices
from preceding aircraft. The operations are expected to increase capacity
during IMC and decrease weather-related delays at CSPR airports. Simulation
results for 9 CSPR airports in the National Airspace System (NAS) suggest
significant potential capacity benefits ranging from 2 to 18 additional
arrival operations per hour depending upon the concept and airport.
The paper outlines the proposed wake independent straight-in parallel
approach concept and 12 procedural derivatives. It describes the model
developed to visualize the operations and the Monte Carlo approach taken
to quantify potential capacity benefits.
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