APPLICATION OF SOFTWARE, REPRESENTING CUMULONIMBUS CLOUDS, IN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL

In this paper we attempt to answer the question of whether the display of cumulonimbus clouds on air traffic controller radar screens has a significant impact on air traffic control. The developed cumulonimbus cloud mapping simulator allowed the study to be performed by performing simulations with a flight control simulator. This allowed an assessment of how the air traffic controller makes decisions when cumulonimbus is displayed and when it is not. The benefits of cumulonimbus imaging for aircraft trajectories and flight time were also assessed. The research was conducted in the space of Vilnius terminal manoeuvring area.