Analyzing the Impact of a shortened Final Approach Segment to Runway Capacity

Abstract

Through the use of new technology in the field of air navigation new potentials arise with regard to the run-way capacity of an airport. It may be that different approaches and their guidance both can be carried out simultaneously, which provide the possibility to make approach procedures more flexible or to relocate the Final Approach Fix (FAF) closer to the runway threshold. With regard to the separation of aircraft on the final approach this may result in an advantage to runway capacity in the case of the leading aircraft operating at a higher speed compared to the following aircraft. The gap between both aircraft on a shortened final approach segment may increases less in contrast to a longer segment. The analysis of the impact due to relocating the FAF will be conducted by different scenarios. The basis of the scenarios is provides by a generic airport with various ratios of departing to arriving aircraft, aircraft mixes and two different final approach segment lengths.