Aug. 18, 1997
Keith Henry
NASA Langley Research Center
Phone: 757-864-6120
LANGLEY RELEASE NO. 97-103
Note to Editors:
FLY ON NASA'S 757 TO WITNESS NEW TECHNOLOGIES FOR LANDING,
TAXI
Limited seating is available for news media on NASA's 757
research aircraft Aug. 26-28 in Atlanta, as a research team
demonstrates technologies in the joint NASA-FAA low visibility
landing and surface operations program.
These technologies are expected to result in increased airport
capacity without compromising safety. They will allow an airline
pilot to safely approach a runway for landing, roll-off and taxi in
any visibility.
If no action is taken to reverse the present trend, air traffic
delays are projected to increase dramatically in the future at the
nation's major airports -- especially in poor visibility
conditions.
As the NASA 757 approaches the runway, computer-generated
graphics will outline the correct runway and its precise location
on a "head-up display" mounted between the pilot and the
windscreen. Upon contact with the ground, a "head-down" moving map
display will show the pilot where he is on the runway and taxiway
system, as well as the location of all other active aircraft.
Aircraft location is provided by the GPS satellite system. Digital
datalink communications will supplement voice communications
between the pilot and air traffic controller to ensure that
instructions to the pilot are clear.
A few seats on the aircraft are available for news media the
afternoon of Aug. 26, the afternoon of Aug. 27 and the morning and
afternoon of Aug. 28. All cameras, including video cameras, must be
strapped to the photographer. Seats are behind a pallet of
instruments (and operators) that duplicate the new displays being
seen in the cockpit.
To reserve a seat or for more information, call Keith Henry at
757-647-2133 Aug. 19. If no answer, call 757-864-6120 and leave a
message.
- End -
text-only version of this release | 
