Flight Crew Factors for CTAS/FMS Integration in the Terminal Area

Summary Center TRACON Automation System(CTAS)/Flight Management System (FMS)integration on the flightdeck implies flightcrews flying coupled in highly automatedFMS modes [i.e. Vertical Navigation (VNAV)and Lateral Navigation (LNAV)] from top ofdescent to the final approach phase of flight.Pilots may also have to make FMS route editsand respond to datalink clearances in theTerminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON)airspace. This full mission simulator studyaddresses how the introduction of these FMSdescent procedures affect crew activities,workload, and performance. It also assessescrew acceptance of these procedures. Resultsindicate that the number of crew activities andworkload ratings are significantly reducedbelow current day levels when FMSprocedures can be flown uninterrupted, butthat activity numbers increase significantlyabove current day levels and workload ratingsreturn to current day levels when FMSprocedures are interrupted by common ATCinterventions and CTAS routing advisories.Crew performance showed some problemswith speed control during FMS procedures.Crew acceptance of the FMS procedures androute modification requirements was generallyhigh; a minority of crews expressed concernsabout use of VNAV in the TRACON airspace.Suggestions for future study are discussed.