An integral flight director and surveillance system for helicopters in metropolitan service

High density helicopter flights in metropolitan area give rise to conflict threats and challenge flight safety due to the absence of strict ATC surveillance. An integral system for flight director and surveillance (FDS) for helicopter operations in low altitude flights is proposed with feasibility study. The proposed FDS combines GIS with GPS data based on ADS concept to meet helicopter operation requirements with collision avoidance. Both the pilot and ground ATC are aware of conflict situation from the proposed FDS. System configuration with operation concept is presented with simulated tests using remote-piloted helicopters to verify FDS performance.