Air Traffic Control Problem 5

Air Traffic Control Problem 5

In this Air Traffic Control (ATC) Problem 5, students will determine if two airplanes traveling on the same route will conflict with (meet) one another. This will determine when the controller will have to take action to keep the planes separated. Initially, the airplanes are each a different distance from the start of the jet route. Each airplane is traveling at a different constant (fixed) speed, and the trailing airplane is traveling faster than the leading plane (the plane with a “headstart”).

This scenario is the first to address two planes traveling on the same route, so it differs from the previous four problems which each involve merging aircraft. The current problem is closest in concept to ATC Problem 4 (the only other “different speeds” scenario) in which two planes are also traveling at different speeds and one plane also has a “headstart.”

ATC Problem 5: Educator Guide

ATC Problem 5: Student Workbook

ATC Problem 5: Student Assessment

Materials for the experiment:

• sidewalk chalk or masking tape or cashier’s tape or a knotted rope
• measuring tape or ruler
• marking pens (optional)
• 1 stopwatch or 1 watch with a sweep second hand or
• 1 digital watch that indicates seconds
• pencils
• signs (available on the FlyByMath™ website) identifying pilots, controllers, and NASA scientists
• clipboard (optional)

This activity is part of the Smart Skies: Flyby Math Lessons