The FAA has completed a redesign of airspace, introduced new Performance Based Navigation (PBN) procedures, and made use of Time Based Flow Management (TBFM) to make the Southern California Metroplex airspace more efficient with improved access to its airports. The effort focuses on a number of airports including, Bob Hope (BUR), Hawthorne Municipal (HHR), Los Angeles International (LAX), Long Beach (LGB), Ontario International (ONT), Oxnard (OXR), Palm Springs International (PSP), San Diego International (SAN), Santa Monica Municipal (SMO), John Wayne-Orange County (SNA), and Van Nuys (VNY). The information below may also include data from nearby airports outside of the Southern California Metroplex (please see the Reference Guide for additional information). Projected annual benefits include $8.8 million in fuel savings, 3.1 million gallons in fuel savings, and 26.0 thousand metric tons in carbon savings. – As published November 08, 2019 8:13:46 AM EST at https://www.faa.gov/nextgen/snapshots/metroplexes/?locationId=18
NextGen achieves fuel efficiencies through shortened flight paths. The shortest distance between two points is, of course, a straight line. But due to geography and past technological limitations, commercial aircraft have followed inefficient zigzag paths between ground-based radio beacons for decades. Air traffic controllers monitored those flights on radar and directed aircraft individually by radio communications if they needed to change flight paths.
NextGen uses modern technologies to determine aircraft positions more precisely so that they can fly more-direct paths. A GPS satellite-based tracking system called Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast, or ADS-B, accurately determines the position of an aircraft, and this information is broadcast over a network to air traffic controllers and pilots. Aircraft and ground computer automation help to offload from humans some of the work and information processing to support choosing the most efficient paths to fly while maintaining a safe distance from other aircraft. These technologies and other capabilities to manage traffic flow work together help make air travel safer, more dependable, and more efficient. – As published August 26, 2019 10:31:30 AM EDT at https://www.faa.gov/nextgen/faqs/#q18
What’s the Timeline? View this and other videos at https://www.faa.gov/nextgen/faqs/#q18
For a related story from University City News, visit https://www.universitycitynews.org/2015/06/14/faa-eyes-changes-to-flight-paths-around-sd-airports-including-miramar/
