Abstract: A method for detecting conflicts between aircraft flying in controlled airspace. The method determines whether pairs of aircraft flight routes violate a predetermined proximity test. The separation of pairs of aircraft whose flight routes do not violate the proximity test is assured. For pairs of aircraft whose flight routes violate the proximity test, the method calculates the parts of their flight routes that breach the separation threshold, the conflict paths (406, 408). The conflict paths are stored. The method determines the portions of aircraft trajectories corresponding to the conflict paths. The separation of aircraft that have flown past their conflict paths is assured. The separation time and separation altitude of pairs of aircraft that have not flown past their conflict paths are calculated. The separation time and separation altitude are used to determine future circumstances whereby the pairs of aircraft may lose separation.

Abstract: A method for detecting conflicts between aircraft flying in controlled airspace. The method determines whether pairs of aircraft flight routes violate a predetermined proximity test. The separation of pairs of aircraft whose flight routes do not violate the proximity test is assured. For pairs of aircraft whose flight routes violate the proximity test, the method calculates the parts of their flight routes that breach the separation threshold, the conflict paths (406, 408). The conflict paths are stored. The method determines the portions of aircraft trajectories corresponding to the conflict paths. The separation of aircraft that have flown past their conflict paths is assured. The separation time and separation altitude of pairs of aircraft that have not flown past their conflict paths are calculated. The separation time and separation altitude are used to determine future circumstances whereby the pairs of aircraft may lose separation.