Tutorial
FutureFlight Central
NASA
FutureFlight Central is a world class Air Traffic Control/Air Traffic Management
(ATC/ATM) simulation and test facility. Located at NASA Ames Research Center
Moffett Field, California, FutureFlight Central is dedicated to solving the
current and emerging capacity problems at our nation's airports. "Capacity"
has to do with the maximum number of aircraft operations (takeoffs/landings)
that can be safely accomplished at an airport. Each airport has a maximum number
of operations per hour that can be safely performed at that location. As technology
allows us to better analyze our air traffic management system, we are finding
ways to more efficiently direct air traffic without compromising safety. This
facility was designed in collaboration with the Air Transportation Association
(ATA), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), National Air Traffic Controllers
Association (NATCA) and Supervisors Committee (SUPCOM). FutureFlight Central
is operated and managed by NASA personnel, including experts in air traffic
control, computer graphics, human factors and large-scale simulations.
In the main room of this two-story facility there stands a series of screens like control tower windows. These screens offer a full-scale, real time simulation of an airport using a 360-degree, out-the-windows view of a highly realistic 3-D visual representation. This view can be re-programmed to simulate ANY airport, so it appears that you are the Local Controller standing in that airport's control tower and viewing the runways, taxiways and gates. The full-scale cab tower (where controllers work) is configurable to any control tower set-up. That means if local controllers are coming in to run simulations of Atlanta's airport, then the cab tower they will walk into will be just like the tower they work in at the Atlanta airport. There is a complete digital radio and voice communication system.
In other parts of the building, there are additional rooms where other personnel work during the simulations. These people play the roles of other air traffic controllers, pilots and airport ground personnel during the simulations. The people are just as crucial to the simulation as the technology. It is the interaction among the people that adds the real-time element to any simulated operation. Through these interactions they can collaborate to optimize operating procedures and test out new technologies.
FutureFlight Central is the first environment where airport planning can come alive. It can simulate real-time traffic supporting the most complex airport operations. It is the world's only "live action" simulation supporting all interacting positions: TRACON, Tower, ramp, and pilots. FutureFlight Central is customizable to any airport, any tower, any fleet mix, and any operating procedures. That means the size and type of aircraft used during simulations can be changed. So if an airport is testing new spacing software and needs a mix of heavies (large jetliners) along with some smaller commuter jets, these aircraft can be simulated. Also, if the FAA is testing a new procedure for ramp personnel and needs control tower-to-rampers communication, this can be reproduced. Or, if in testing new software for arrivals and departures, the simulation requires TRACON to Tower communications, this can also be simulated. There is video/audio record and playback from controller, ramp, tower or pilot viewpoints. There are precise controls for weather, time-of-day, cloud coverage, and lighting. This means that if a new software needs to be tested under inclement weather or nighttime conditions, these, too, can be simulated.
FutureFlight Central can benefit airports by integrating tomorrow's technologies in a risk-free simulation of any airport, airfield, and tower cab environment. It can also help airlines lessen the severity of passenger delay variables by fine tuning hub operations, gate management and ramp movement procedures.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is using FutureFlight Central in a safety study and to test new software.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is using FutureFlight Central to evaluate new tower positions, runway
configurations, and aircraft movements before any new airport improvements are made.