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Airline Operations Research Group (AORG)

The Airline Operations Research Group (AORG) supported research and development work focused on commercial airlines, including the airline operations center (AOC) and flight deck operations.

Working with the assistance and input of airline industry members, AORG researchers were able to guide future NASA work in airline systems automation. A network of researchers, developers, and users of airline operations tools were a major resource for the efforts in this domain. The AORG worked to collaborate with this network of operators in order to develop and innovative automated solutions to support safer and more efficient airline operations.

FACT- Airline Operations Tool

The airport surface can be a major constraint on the throughput of National Airspace System (NAS). Winter weather events may slow airport surface operations due to snow, freezing precipitation, and icing. The need for aircraft de-icing can lead to taxi delays and to actions to ensure that aircraft do not exceed their holdover times. The requirement to treat (snow removal) runways and taxiways may result in runway closures and changes in airport configuration with negative effects on acceptance rates.

Winter operations also pose challenges in complying with regulations regarding passenger tarmac and crew fatigue time. Collaborative decision making during such conditions may be hampered by less than ideal shared situation awareness between flight deck, airport authority, air traffic control, and AOCs.

A screenshot of the NASA FACT software tool, designed to improve airport operations during episodes of severe winter weather.
A screenshot of the NASA FACT software tool, designed to improve airport operations during episodes of severe winter weather.
Credit- NASA

Recognizing these issues, the AORG set out to create FACT, an application designed to improve winter weather airport operations. The goal of the FACT project was to gain a better understanding of the effects of winter storms on NAS operations and to develop the knowledge and tools needed to improve efficiency (reduce cancelations and delays). Its user base includes the AOC, air traffic control tower, snow removal operation, and de-icing facilities.

FACT also supported collaboration and information sharing between the AOC, air traffic control, airport authority, and de-icing operators. Historical data on the effects of winter weather were used to build predictive models of airport capacity in response to anticipated storms. These models were used to build predictive tools into FACT for additional decision-making assistance. One such tool is the Winter Weather Airport Capacity Model, which predicts changes in airport departure rates from weather reports.

Noteworthy Publications

Mogford, R., Peknik, D., Duley, A, Evans, C. Delmo, L. Amalu, C. (2016). Flight Awareness Collaboration Tool Development, Proceedings of the 35th Digital Avionics Systems Conference (DASC). Sacramento, CA.

Evans, C., Mogford, R. (2017). NASA Research to Support the Airlines, FAA Aviation Safety InfoShare (Pittsburgh, PA), NASA/NTRS #20170010168.

* Please note, this webpage is not actively maintained and is for historical reference only.