Terminal Trials

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2008:

First Tailored Arrivals (TAs) in Miami
Tailored Arrivals allow FANS A/1 equipped aircraft to request an uninterrupted descent all the way from the top-of-descent down to the runway threshold. This procedure meets the airlines’ objective of reducing fuel burn, which in turn reduces carbon emissions as well as the noise footprints around airports. When a flight is given clearance to fly a TA but later has to switch to a conventional arrival due to traffic or weather, the procedure is known as a partial TA. Partial TAs still can provide noise and emissions reductions, albeit to a lesser extent than the complete or full TAs. The first trials included the following six flights on September 22, 24, and 25:

• Air France Flight 90, successfully completed three full TAs with a Boeing 747-400.
• American Airlines Flight 57 completed one full and two partial TAs (due to traffic) flying a Boeing 777-200.

Optimized Profile Descent (OPD) in Atlanta and Miami
Optimized Profile Descents (OPDs) are area navigation (RNAV) arrival procedures that allow aircraft to fly a descent more optimal than the traditional step-down descent, thus saving fuel. Unlike Tailored Arrivals, OPDs become published procedures that are not specific to a given type of aircraft. The initial trials in Atlanta and Miami were held in May 2008.

• 21 total OPD demonstration flights

2009:

Tailored Arrivals to Miami

• June 1, 2009 start date for daily, on-going TA trials
• 19 full TAs and 51 partial TAs completed
• Airbus A340 aircraft participated
• American, Air France, and Lufthansa were the airline participants

2010:

Tailored Arrivals to Miami

• Successful completion of 9 full TAs and 68 partial TAs (through October 11)
• American, Air France, and Lufthansa are the airline participants

2011:

Tailored Arrivals to Miami

• Tailored arrivals will transition from trial mode to fully operational

Optimized Profile Descents (OPDs) into Charleston

• Both Charleston (CHS) and Charleston Executive (JZI) will have published OPDs in August 2011