UPS Folks - How is ADS-B working?

C150J

C150J

Well-Known Member
Just read an article on ADS-B... how are the UPS folks liking it? I realize that it is in its infancy, but I'd be interested to hear your thoughts (and anyone else's for that matter). I like the idea of flight idle descents from cruise to approach, FDMS, etc., but I have no first-hand experience with it.
 
C150J said:
I like the idea of flight idle descents from cruise to approach, FDMS, etc.
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Pardon me if I'm missing something here, but what does ADS-B have to do with the above? FMS approaches exist now that provide just this.
 
I think UPS and SDF are the first two entities to fully employ ADS-B technology in the United States.
 
aloft said:
Pardon me if I'm missing something here, but what does ADS-B have to do with the above? FMS approaches exist now that provide just this.
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No problem, maybe I'm not being clear. I was referring to the arrivals that most airlines endure to get into places like DCA. Check out the ELDEE 2 arrival and you'll see what I'm talking about. The "cross at" restrictions (versus "at or above") are fuel intensive, as you have to level out and adjust your speed accordingly before descending again. Also, in most congested airspace, you step down routinely to get into the approach que before being handed off to the final controller.
 
Ummmm....

I'm supposedly trained on it. Never seen it happen. The CDA's seem to get a lot lip action but I'm not sure how often it really happens in real life. Lot of things can mess up the system.

My next recurrent I'm supposed to know about EFB and Safe Route though I've never seen it and it's not even been approved by the FAA. It's not even activated in any of the planes. I did a home study on it, though.

Not complaining. It's a great job. Will be happy with all this new high tech stuff is installed, FAA approved, in all the planes, commonly in use, and I don't have to carry Jepps anymore.
 
Yeah, it's PLANNING on being a complete replacement for radar. Flight Deck Merging and Spacing (FDMS) will supposedly enable aircraft to maintain separation (by time) through speed commands administered through ADS-B. This, combined with descent planning, will allow aircraft to descend from cruise to approach without any level-outs for traffic. This is all what the pro-ads article said. Not sure how it will really pan out:).
 
I'm not sure what power idle descents have to do with ADS-B.

One thing UPS is using ADS-B for is timed approaches. The Ops Center sets up the arrival schedule into SDF and then all participating inbound airplanes are given their sequence when they are miles out. The whole system is set on a 2 minute arrival pattern, so as the planes start to come in range and start talking with each other (through ADS-B) each plane knows which aircraft it is supposed to follow and the speed, heading and altitude information of that aircraft. The computer then generates speed (and maybe course) guidance that will allow for the two minute sequencing.
 
We have ADS-B in most, if not all, of our fleet at UND. While we don't do timed approaches, they are very useful. Not to take anything away for the basic see-and-avoid concept, but ADS-B makes detecting other traffic a lot easier. While it isn't a subsitute, it is definitely worthwhile because of its increase in a pilot's situational awareness.
 
There was a great 15 min story on ADS-B with a UPS Cap on "CBS Sunday Morning" this am. Still have time to see it if you are on the West coast. Believe it airs in 5 min.
 
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