A Study of SPACR Ghost Dynamics Applied To RNAV Routes in the Terminal Area

Current terminal operations are changing as more terminal Area Navigation (RNAV) routes are defined that aircraft are expected to fly. Previously, arriving aircraft filing a Standard Terminal Arrival Route (STAR) were given vectors to guide them to the runway when the aircraft transitions from the STAR and enters the terminal area. There are, however, efforts underway to extend these STARs as routes in the terminal area that overlay the current traffic patterns resulting from the vectors that controllers give to the aircraft. To achieve the expected benefits from these terminal routes, the controllers will need automation support to assist them in managing the traffic where the routes merge.