Automatic Decision Support System for Approach and Landing

Abstract

In this paper an automatic decision-making support system for approach and landing of civil airliners is presented. Based on the available measurement data within the autoflight system the risk associated with the current flight condition is assessed considering atmospheric conditions, instantaneous flight parameters, the aircraft’s energy balance and possible system failures. Should this risk assessment conclude that the continuation of the approach exceeds regulatory limits or poses a threat to the the aircraft’s safety, a recommendation to initiate a Go-Around (GA) manoeuvre is generated. The objectives of this additional function are to reduce the flight crew’s workload during the highly demanding approach flight phase and increase its situational awareness by supporting their decision making process. In order to assess the influence of the decision support system on the crew’s situational awareness and workload, a simulator study with DLR’s test pilots is performed and its preliminary results are presented.