Emerging cockpit technologies for free flight

Successful implementation of the free flight concept requires new technologies and associated procedures and standards for the flight crew, the air traffic service provider, and, where applicable, the dispatcher. This paper explores key cockpit technologies and procedures that enhance aviation safety and, at the same time, are cockpit enabling technologies for free flight. These enabling technologies are integrated through two complementary operational concepts known as Flight Operations and Air Traffic Management Integration (FTMI) and Situational Awareness for Safety (SAS), with due consideration given to human factors. These two concepts, along with their supporting avionics, data links, and ground-side air traffic and Flight Information Service (FIS) infrastructure, make free flight a distinct technical possibility.