SEPARATION STANDARDS
Current regulations permit a 3 NM separation within 40
NM of a single radar sensor. The FAA is looking at
ways to increase the use of the 3 NM separation standard
to improve efficiency and maximize the volume
of traffic that can be safely moved into busy terminal
areas. The methods involve increasing the size of terminal
areas to include more en route airspace,
redesigning airspace to encompass multiple airports
within a single ATC facility, and consolidating certain
TRACON facilities. This will involve major changes
on the ground for ATC facilities, and changes in
charts and procedures for pilots.
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As gaps are filled in arrival and departure streams and the
3 NM separation standard is applied more extensively,
traffic advisories from the traffic alert and collision avoidance
system (TCAS) are bound to increase. While newer
software enhances functionality, provides more timely
resolution advisories, and eliminates many nuisance
alerts, data link technology based on GPS position information
may offer even better results. |