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An operational evaluation of the automatic dependent surveillance system and cockpit display of traffic information (CDTI) provided an opportunity to examine how pilot use of CDTI enabled them to maintain predefined spacing intervals from other aircraft. Seventy percent of the controller -issued traffic calls resulted in positive visual acquisitions (83% displayed on CDTI). Approximately 55% of the approach clearances that included instructions to "follow that traffic" involved communication problems and operational concerns. In light of the findings and the participants' comments, changes to proposed procedures and supporting phraseology will be constructed and evaluated for the approach spacing application.

An operational evaluation of the automatic dependent surveillance system and cockpit display of traffic information (CDTI) was performed in October 2000. It provided an opportunity to examine how the use of a CDTI influences pilot/controller operational communications. Departure profiles were established to evaluate the ability of flight crews and air traffic controllers to manage long (6 nautical miles [nm]) and short (4.5 nm) spacing intervals between departing aircraft. Approximately 4% of the departures conducted when CDTI was not used and 9% when it was involved communication problems. Fortunately, controllers and pilots detected and corrected these problems in midstream. When pilots executed CDTI departures, there was an overall increase in time on frequency, more time spent under local control during the day, and departures were completed in less time when assigned the short spacing interval.

The effectiveness of three different data link interfaces, involving auditory, visual, and redundant presentation of Air Traffic Control (ATC) information, was evaluated in a single pilot general aviation simulator. Fifteen certified flight instructor pilots flew a Frasca flight simulator with full visual display of the outside world, through a series of ATC-instructed maneuvers, while scanning outside for traffic. ATC instructions, of various lengths, were delivered through a text based data link display, through synthesized voice (similar to the current system), or through a redundant voice-text format. Pilots read back the instructions and then complied with whatever maneuver was instructed, while monitoring for traffic. Visual scanning was measured. The results revealed that the visual display provided greatest accuracy of communications readback, and was least disruptive of both traffic monitoring and flight path tracking. The auditory-only condition was most disruptive of these tasks, in part becaus...