Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for controlling air traffic. The method and system utilizes aircraft performance data, provided either by an FMS of a capable aircraft or generated by a model based on knowledge of the aircraft, to provide an accurate prediction of aircraft intent so that an accurate estimated time of arrival can be generated. The estimated time of arrival is then used to provide a required time of arrival (RTA) for the aircraft. The RTAs for the aircraft are provided for the aircraft to arrive at a destination, such as an Outer Fix Point, in a desired sequence. The desired sequence is arranged to provide intervals between the aircraft such that they may be able to land at the destination airport without requiring holding and vectoring from top of descent.

Abstract: A method of predicting the trajectory of an aircraft is disclosed in this specification. The method involves predicting corrective adjustments that an aircraft flight management system is expected to make to follow a reference trajectory. A ground based system receives a reference trajectory that the aircraft flight management system intends to fly and predicts an actual trajectory using the predicted corrective adjustments. The actual trajectory predicted by the system differs from the reference trajectory in a free dimension that is not restrained in the reference trajectory.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for controlling air traffic. The method and system utilises aircraft performance data, provided either by an FMS of a capable aircraft or generated by a model based on knowledge of the aircraft, to provide an accurate prediction of aircraft intent so that an accurate estimated time of arrival can be generated. The estimated time of arrival is then used to provide a required time of arrival (RTA) for the aircraft. The RTAs for the aircraft are provided for the aircraft to arrive at a destination, such as an Outer Fix Point, in a desired sequence. The desired sequence is arranged to provide intervals between the aircraft such that they may be able to land at the destination airport without requiring holding and vectoring from top of descent.