Currently, two schools of researchers exist. Researchers of one school
believe that airborne self-separation can safely accommodate
traffic levels much greater than current en-route traffic.
Researchers of the other school believe that airborne
self-separation cannot work safely for high density airspace.
Both schools concur that for airspace having sufficiently low
traffic densities, airborne self-separation may be safe. From a
research perspective this calls for a study which evaluates up
to which traffic levels airborne self-separation is safe. This
is exactly the key aim of the iFly project.
For en-route traffic, iFly has the objective to develop an advanced airborne self separation design
together with a vision how the well-equipped aircraft can be integrated within SESAR concept thinking.
The goal is to accommodate a three to six times increase in current en-route traffic levels.
This incorporates analysis of safety, complexity and pilot/controller responsibilities and
assessment of ground and airborne system requirements and which make part of an overall validation plan.
The proposed iFly research combines expertise in air transport human factors, safety and economics with
analytical and Monte Carlo simulation methodologies providing for "implementation" decision-making,
standardisation and regulatory frameworks.
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