NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA DECO CAS Research into a New Operating Mode for Digitally Enabled Cooperative Operations (DECO) By Dr. Pankaj Dhussa

1. DECO
CAS Research into a New Operating Mode for Digitally Enabled Cooperative Operations (DECO)
Use this QR code to access a NASA publication
describing Digital Flight in greater detail.
POC: David Wing and Andy Lacher, Langley Research Center
Challenge
Aviation is approaching tremendous change, with
new technologies and aircraft types underpinning a
desire for diverse new missions and operations.
Current operating modes of visual and instrument
flight depend on human situation awareness for
safety, especially challenging for unmanned aircraft.
We’re exploring a potential new operating mode that
uses digital processing and cooperative practices to
empower aviation’s growth. We call it digital flight.
Expected Impacts
The potential of digital flight is transformative:
• Enabling increasing diversity of flight operations,
including highly automated flight
• Scaling to high tempos and densities
• Improving flight flexibility and predictability
• Increasing airspace integration and growth
With safe operations at scale, digital flight could lead
to greater efficiencies, new mission capabilities, and
emergent markets for aviation to serve the public.
Proposed Solution
➢ A new highly-automated operating mode for routine use
➢ Digitally enabled (information, connectivity, and automation)
➢ Inherently cooperative (data sharing, operating practices)
➢ Common across new entrants and incumbent airspace users
➢ Coexisting with IFR and VFR operations in integrated airspace
➢ Builds on FAA vision of Info-Centric National Airspace System
Results
NASA’s Convergent Aeronautics Solutions (CAS) Project is
exploring the desirability, viability, and feasibility of this new
“digital-native” operating mode. Industry has responded with
great interest and has begun to organize towards building
consensus on this future vision.
Next Steps
Communities working on diverse airspace innovations such
as unmanned aircraft, urban air taxis, and high-altitude
platforms are each exploring the benefits of a digital operating
mode. Digital flight may help to harmonize these communities
and accelerate industry-wide advancement.
Partners and Stakeholders
• FAA and NASAARMD Programs and Projects
• RTCA and other standards bodies
• Aircraft operators (new entrants and traditional)
• Technology developers and service providers
• Pilots, controllers, dispatchers, operations specialists
Decision-Maker Operating
Environment
Digital
Flight
Visual
Flight
Instrument
Flight
Essential Elements of Digital Flight
Operator Self-Provision Commercial Services
Digital Information
Services & Connectivity
Shared Traffic
Awareness
Cooperative
Practices
Separation
Automation
Foundational elements for cooperative digital flight
New operating mode for 21st Century operators
Implementation Flexibility
Current
Predicted
DF (digital flight)
Conflict
Detection
Computed
Resolution
Conflict
Prevention
Hazard
Avoidance
Operator Self-Separation
Performance-Tailored
Separation Criteria
Navigation
Performance
Lateral Performance
Vertical Performance
Along Path Performance
Adaptive Pairwise Separation
Coordination
Rules
Coordination
Rules
Digital Right-of-Way
Coordinated Maneuvers
Burdened
Has Right-of-Way
Cooperative Conflict Management
DF
Terminal
Airspace
#1
#2
#3
IFR
IFR
Arrival Metering
Shared
destination
and ETA
Collaboration on Airspace Resource Use
All DF No Central Coordinator
Self-Organization & Sequencing
All DF Higher Density
Lower Density
Density & Complexity Self-Regulation
Encoded
practices for
harmonized
use of the
airspace:
Share and
Update Intent
Take
Timely
Action
Respect
Intent When
Changing Intent
Respect
VFR and IFR
Aircraft
Navigate with
Intended
Precision
Apply Pair-
Appropriate
Separation
Respect
Right-of-Way
Among DF
Aircraft
Coordinate
Maneuvering
Among DF
Aircraft
Coordinate
with ATC in
Controlled
Airspace
Join in
Appropriate
Flow
Management
Avoid Active
Protected
Airspace
Respect
Established
Operating
Procedures
Candidate capabilities and operating practices for cooperative, highly automated, digital flight operations
Automation / Decision-making