Potential benefits of a Paired Approach procedure to closely spaced parallel runways in instrument and marginal visual conditions

Abstract

This paper discusses a concept called "Paired Approaches" which is designed to facilitate approaches to closely spaced parallel runways (CSPRs) -i.e., runways separated by 700 ft to 2500 ft, in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). Such runway pairs experience a significant loss of arrival capacity during IMC and marginal visual conditions because currently, runway pairs like this can only be used for simultaneous arrivals when pilots can provide visual separation. The basic procedure design, operations concept, the required cockpit tools and initial feasibility of the paired approach concept were developed in the 1990's and included real time pilot and controller simulations and evaluations. These initial simulations indicated that the Paired Approach procedure was feasible for both pilots and controllers.

Feasibility analyses for paired approach procedures for closely spaced parallel runways

“…This procedure has been studied extensively through analyses and real time simulations 1 [2][3][4]. Potential benefits of the procedure are reported in [5].…”

Characterization of Surface and Aloft Winds for Advanced Parallel Runway Operations

“…In the paired approach procedure, protection is provided by "pairing" aircraft and ensuring that the trailing aircraft stays within a small longitudinal window so that it is safe both from potential blunders and from wakes. Such a zone of safe operation is feasible, according to Mundra et al (11), even allowing some wake transport due to winds toward the trailing aircraft approach path. This concept is associated with Solution Class (c) in Figure 1.…”

“…They addressed wind dependency through selecting a priori airport-dependent wind threshold values based on airfield geometry and determined the associated benefits. Mundra et al (11) developed benefits for a set of wind-dependent paired approach concepts in much the same way. Wind dependency was once again computed through applying a priori wind threshold selections; however, to address the difference in wake transport behavior, separate threshold values were applied for IGE wake transport versus OGE transport.…”

Trade Space Analysis of Surface Alternatives for Short-Haul Passenger Air Travel

“…In this way, small markets, which would otherwise receive limited access remained primarily within the domain of the air mode. Examples of this unimodal management are plentiful (4)(5)(6). Constraints on airport throughput have led to construction of more runways and tighter aircraft spacing rules; airway congestion has resulted in finer partitioning of airspace and air traffic control allocation.…”