Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Aerospace
  • /
  • Enhanced time based separation scheduled for arrival early 2018

Aerospace

Enhanced time based separation scheduled for arrival early 2018

Time based separation (TBS), where landing aircraft are separated by time rather than distance over the ground, is proven to safely deliver significant resilience at airports but NATS is already developing the concept further, with the arrival of Enhanced TBS scheduled for early 2018.

Following successful R&D undertaken in the SESAR Programme and early work with Eurocontrol, NATS and industry partner Leidos (formerly Lockheed Martin) introduced time based separation (TBS) into operation at Heathrow in March 2015 and since then, TBS has delivered benefits that far outweigh what original models had predicted. Since TBS went live at Heathrow, there has been:
•    62% reduction in headwind related arrival delays
•    0.8 average extra landings per hour in all wind conditions
•    2.6 average extra landings per hour with a headwind greater than 20 knots
•    30% fewer spacing related go-arounds in the first year of TBS operation versus previous year
•    30% reduction in reported Wake Encounters <6000ft in first full year of TBS operations
•    115,000 minutes less airborne holding per annum

Advertisement
Marshall RT 2

The next step of this Intelligent Approach journey will go live early next year with the introduction of Enhanced TBS and Heathrow will be the first airport to have this system in operation. This will provide additional runway resilience, by utilising the European Wake Vortex Re-categorisation programme (RECAT EU), a new, more optimised categorisation of wake vortex separation developed by Eurocontrol.

Looking past 2020, and following the deployment of Enhanced TBS, Pairwise Separation, a SESAR project that is in the final stages of R&D, is expected to deliver an additional two to three landings per hour, strengthening the airport’s ability to cope during disruption.

Pairwise Separation will see every pair of aircraft type have its own separation, different to the six categories used today. This more accurately reflects the safe wake separations required for each aircraft type pair and reduces unnecessary excess separation for the majority of aircraft pairs.

Refining separation standards can provide significant benefits at busy airports such as Heathrow. By optimising the safe separation of aircraft, NATS can help to reduce delays and cancellations caused by poor weather conditions and reduce the need for stack holding, saving fuel and reducing environmental impacts.

Jon Proudlove, Heathrow’s Airside Director, said: “Heathrow has seen that the net result of TBS is improved resilience of the airport operation; this drives the ability to deliver the schedule on time, improving the punctuality performance of the airport and the direct relationship this has with our ultimate goal: a great passenger experience.”

Advertisement
Advanced Navigation RT


Click here to see NATS'  Enhanced TBS infographic.

 

Advertisement
General Atomics LB
British Airways and Virgin Atlantic CEOs to speak at Sustainable Skies World Summit 2024

Aerospace

British Airways and Virgin Atlantic CEOs to speak at Sustainable Skies World Summit 2024

28 March 2024

Aviation leaders Shai Weiss, CEO of Virgin Atlantic and Sean Doyle, CEO of British Airways as keynote speakers at the Sustainable Skies World Summit 2024.

Airframe Designs helps to lead additive manufacturing industry body

Aerospace

Airframe Designs helps to lead additive manufacturing industry body

27 March 2024

Airframe Designs has joined a national industry body to help lead the development of additive manufacturing and 3D printing in the UK.

Leonardo secures presence at Bahrain International Airshow

Aerospace Defence Events

Leonardo secures presence at Bahrain International Airshow

26 March 2024

Italian aerospace, defence and security firm, Leonardo has secured its presence at the Bahrain International Airshow for the seventh year.

Made Smarter and tech institutes to demystify digital transformation

Aerospace

Made Smarter and tech institutes to demystify digital transformation

26 March 2024

Made Smarter and leading technology demonstrators have joined forces to demystify digital transformation with a new white paper.

Advertisement
Farsound RT 2
Britten-Norman secures new investment

Aerospace

Britten-Norman secures new investment

25 March 2024

Britten Norman has secured new investment from a group of investors led by 4D Capital Partners LLP (“4D”) The new investors are making funds available to Britten-Norman to fund working capital and to drive successful long-term growth.

First disability flying lessons to be launched at Kent airport

Aerospace

First disability flying lessons to be launched at Kent airport

25 March 2024

The UK’s disabled flying charity Aerobility has partnered with Lydd Aero Club in Kent to provide opportunities for lessons and experience flights for people living with disabilities, at Kent airport.

Advertisement
Farsound RT Brain