Description

The air navigation is the process of steering an aircraft in flight from an initial position to a final position, following a determined route, and fulfilling certain requirements of safety and efficiency. As a whole, it consitutes a complex systems that requires juridic, operative and technical support frameworks to regulate its activity. The main goal of the air navigation system is to make possible air transportation day after day by means of providing the required services to perform operations safely and efficiently. These services are provided based on an organization, human resources, technical means, and a defined modus operandi. The so constituted system is referred to as CNS-ATM (Communications, Navigation & Surveillance-Air Traffic Management). Therefore, CNS corresponds to the required technical support to fulfill air navigation’s main goal, while ATM refers to the organization scope and the definition of operational procedures.

In this course the focus will be first on the navigation process of an aircraft, which can be decomposed into flight planning, positioning, and guidance and control. Secondly, the focus will be on analyzing how the aircraft can navigate within the vicinity of other aircraft, i.e., the focus will be on analyzing the ATM system, in particular on air traffic control and air traffic flow management.

The course will be enforced will laboratory session, using Matlab and Simlink. Moreover, a research project will be assigned to envision new ideas for the future Air Traffic Management system.

Table of Contents

I.- Air Navigation

Topic 1. “Introduction to navigation”

Topic 2. “Flight planning and routes”

Topic 3. “Positioning by situation surfaces”

Topic 4. “Estimation algorithms and positioning”

Topic 5. “Guidance and control”

II.- Air Traffic Management

Topic 6. “Introduction to air circulation and air traffic management”

Topic 7. “Air traffic control”

Topic 8. “Air traffic flow management”

Material of the course