A series of flight tests were conducted to collect data for jet transport aircraft flying curved-path and steep-angle approaches using Microwave Landing System (MLS) guidance. During the test, 432 approaches comprising seven different curved-paths and four glidepath angles varying from 3 to 4 degrees were flown in NASA Langley's Boeing 737 aircraft (Transport Systems Research Vehicle) using an MLS ground station at the NASA Wallops Flight Facility. Subject pilots from Piedmont Airlines flew the approaches using conventional cockpit instrumentation (flight director and Horizontal Situation Indicator (HSI). The data collected will be used by FAA procedures specialists to develop standards and criteria for designing MLS terminal approach procedures (TERPS). The use of flight simulation techniques greatly aided the preliminary stages of approach development work and saved a significant amount of costly flight time. This report is intended to complement a data report to be issued by the FAA Office of Aviation Standards which will contain all detailed data analysis and statistics.
B-737 Flight Test of Curved-Path and Steep-Angle Approaches Using MLS (Microwave Landing System) Guidance
1989
188 pages
Report
No indication
English
Aeronautics , Test Facilities & Equipment , Approach control , Automatic landing control , Flight simulation , Flight tests , Microwave landing systems , Terminal guidance , Transport aircraft , Aircraft landing , Flight paths , Glide paths , Aircraft guidance , Boeing 737 aircraft , Landing instruments , Pilot performance