Rotorcraft Low Altitude CNS (Communications, Navigation, and Surveillance) Benefit/Cost Analysis: Rotorcraft Operations Data

摘要

Communications, navigation, and surveillance (CNS) services are readily available at the altitudes flown by most fixed-wing aircraft. They are not, however, always available at the lower altitudes at which most rotary-wing aircraft operate. The objective of the study is to determine if there is an economic basis for improvement of these low altitude CNS services within the National Airspace System (NAS) in order to better support rotorcraft operations. The Rotorcraft Master Plan advocates the establishment of additional CNS facilities as well as the analysis and development of systems to satisfy the increasing demand for widespread IFR rotorcraft operations within the NAS. The findings of the study will aid the FAA decisionmaking in that regard. In view of prior implementation decisions on Loran-C, the emphasis in the effort is on communications and surveillance. The interim report provides background data on the rotorcraft industry as it exists today, as well as forecasts to the year 2007 for the purpose of providing operational data for analyses of long-term CNS benefits and costs. It describes rotorcraft missions; selects those most likely to benefit from increased availability of CNS services; identifies the probability of various ceiling and visibility combinations within selected rotorcraft operating areas; and presents an inventory of rotorcraft activity by mission and location.