Overview:
In Infinite Flight, managing busy airspaces as an IFATC controller can become overwhelming when pilots do not adhere to published speed restrictions on arrival charts. During peak times, with tens or even hundreds of aircraft inbound, some pilots may be flying at 300 knots while others are at 250 knots, creating significant variability in approach speeds. This inconsistency makes it difficult to sequence aircraft effectively and increases the controller’s workload.
To improve air traffic flow and reduce the burden on controllers, I propose a system that enforces speed restrictions published on Standard Terminal Arrival Routes (STARs) and other arrival charts. This system would require pilots to follow the speed restrictions, ensuring a more predictable and manageable flow of traffic.
The Problem:
Currently, Infinite Flight allows pilots to fly at varying speeds on approach, regardless of the published restrictions on arrival charts. This creates several issues for controllers:
- Difficulty in Sequencing: With varying speeds, it becomes challenging for approach controllers to maintain consistent separation between aircraft.
- Increased Workload: Controllers must manually issue speed adjustments to bring aircraft in line with the flow, which is time-consuming and prone to errors.
- Potential for Conflicts: Inconsistent speeds increase the risk of in-air conflicts and missed approaches, which can disrupt the entire arrival process.
Proposed Solution:
Implement a system that enforces speed restrictions published on arrival charts. Here’s how it could work:
- Mandatory Speed Compliance: Once a pilot selects an arrival procedure with speed restrictions, the system will require the pilot to follow these restrictions unless otherwise instructed by ATC. This would bring the aircraft’s speed in line with the published procedures, creating a smoother traffic flow.
- Visual Speed Guidance: Pilots would see the required speeds at various waypoints on their HUD or map, making it easy to comply with the restrictions.
- Controller Override: ATC should still have the ability to override these restrictions when necessary, issuing custom speed instructions. This ensures that controllers can manage traffic dynamically, especially during busy operations.
- Pilot Speed Change Requests: While the system enforces speed restrictions, pilots could have the option to request a speed change if necessary. However, to avoid overloading controllers with requests, this feature could be optional or used sparingly by pilots.
- Clear Notifications: If a pilot deviates from the required speed without approval, they would receive a notification, prompting them to adjust their speed immediately.
Benefits:
- Improved Traffic Flow: Enforcing speed restrictions would create a more consistent and predictable flow of traffic, making it easier for controllers to sequence aircraft.
- Reduced Workload: With pilots automatically adhering to speed restrictions, controllers can focus on other aspects of managing arrivals, such as spacing and vectoring.
- Increased Realism: Following speed restrictions aligns Infinite Flight more closely with real-world procedures, enhancing the overall realism of the simulator.
- Safer Approaches: Consistent speeds reduce the likelihood of in-air conflicts and missed approaches, leading to safer and smoother operations.
Addressing Potential Concerns:
- Flexibility for Controllers: Controllers would still have the ability to issue custom speed instructions, ensuring that they can manage traffic flow dynamically.
- Pilot Education: To ensure pilots are aware of the speed restrictions, the system could include brief tooltips or warnings when selecting an arrival procedure that includes mandatory speed restrictions.
- Requesting Speed Changes: The option for pilots to request a speed change would provide flexibility, but it should be implemented in a way that avoids overloading controllers with unnecessary requests.
Conclusion:
Implementing a system that enforces speed restrictions published on arrival charts would greatly enhance the realism and efficiency of Infinite Flight’s air traffic control system. It would reduce controller workload, improve traffic flow, and create a safer environment for all pilots. This feature would be a significant step towards making Infinite Flight more aligned with real-world aviation procedures and would be highly beneficial, especially during busy events or in congested airspaces.