ATC-TBO

The SESAR 3 ATC-TBO project performs industrial research for trajectory-based operations (TBO) use cases that provide flexibility and address uncertainties in the tactical execution phase – i.e., within the coordination and separation horizon of the planner and executive controllers – for en-route and TMA operations. TBO shares the common plan, the flight data, for a flight’s trajectory across all phases of flight.

We plan to perform 21 validation exercises – including several real-time simulations – with validation results for three SESAR solutions at technology readiness levels 4 and 6 due in 2026.

Building on SESAR2020 4DSkyways, the project aims to:

• Focus on value by validating performance benefits for environment, operational efficiency, capacity, cost efficiency, safety, and security.
• Engage with our key stakeholders – especially flight crew and air traffic controllers – to ensure that our TBO solutions are operationally acceptable, and they are fully involved in aspects that might impact their work including advanced automation.
• Promote a collaborative working environment – a partnership between operational and industry partners – that delivers useful and accessible deliverables.

Downlinked airborne trajectories – with enhanced conflict detection and resolution tools supported by lateral and vertical clearances – allow air traffic controllers to better anticipate the aircraft’s planned trajectory and to support continuous climb and descent operations with less tactical interventions and level offs. Thus, reducing controller workload and optimised flight profiles, leading to performance benefits.

EUROCONTROL is the overall project coordinator and leads two of the three SESAR solutions.

We contribute with:

• operational, technical, architecture and validation expertise in the field of ATM operations;
• large scale real-time simulations and rapid prototyping using the ESCAPE and IDEAS validation platforms at the EUROCONTROL Innovation Hub;
• project management and grant management expertise related to large-scale projects involving multiple international partners.

AI OPS SAS, AIRBUS, AIRBUS DS SAS, AirNav Ireland, AIRTEL, AUSTRO CONTROL, BULATSA, CCL, CIRA, DEEP BLUE, DFS, DLR, DSNA, ENAC, ENAIRE, EUROCONTROL, INDRA, INTEGRA, LFV, NATS, NAV PORTUGAL, NAVIAIR LFV, NLR, PANSA, RCF, ROMATSA RA, SKYGUIDE, SKYSOFT-ATM, SWISS, THALES LAS, UNIWARSAW.