The differences in performance of various manufacturers' Flight Management Systems (FMSs) and their associated Flight Management Computers (FMCs) have the potential for significant impact on the air traffic control system.
Analysis of Advanced Flight Management Systems (FMS), Flight Management Computer (FMC) Field Observations Trials, Radius-to-Fix Path Terminators
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The differences in performance of various manufacturers' Flight Management Systems (FMSs) and their associated Flight Management Computers (FMCs) have the potential for significant impact on the air traffic control system and as such need to be examined and reexamined. While Area Navigation (RNAV) and Required Navigation Performance (RNP) procedures and routes are designed according to criteria contained in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) orders, FMC manufacturers build their systems in accordance with Minimum Aviation System Performance Standards (MASPS) [1] and Minimum Operational Performance Standards (MOPS) [2] for area navigation systems, Technical Service Orders and Advisory Circulars. Despite the disconnect it is anticipated that the resulting performance of the aircraft FMC will meet the procedure design requirements identified in the FAA criteria. The goal is procedures where aircraft operations meet expectations for repeatability and predictability to levels of performance sufficient to support performance based operations in the National Airspace System (NAS).