Improving Situational Awareness on Instrument Approach Procedures:
A GIS Approach to Charting TerrainBrent M. Baumhardt
GEOG 596A – Capstone Project ProposalJuly 29-30 2014
Advisor: Prof Peter Guth
Agenda: IAP/Background NTSB Case Analysis Project Goals and
Objectives Proposed Methodology Project Deliverables Presentation Venue and Project Timelines Anticipated Results
Legacy Instrument Approach Procedure (IAP) :
Minima
Planview
Profile
– Complete IAP extent
– Altitude stepdowns
– Defined minimum descent heights
Navigate and land in adverse weather conditions
Human factors study
Volpe Instrument Approach Procedure (IAP) :
Minima
Planview
Profile
– Complete IAP extent
– Altitude stepdowns
– Defined minimum descent heights
Pilot Briefing Bar – Notes/Comm
Organizes information into logical flow
Less time searching… more time flying
Background: Technology NAV enhancements
GPS Electronic Flight Bags (EFB) Terrain Awareness and Warning System
(TAWS) Improved ATC RADAR coverage
NTSB Case Study: Accident Number: IAD05MA006
Beechcraft King Air 200, N501RH
NTSB Probable Cause: …“Contributing cause of accident was flight crew’s failure to use all available navigational aids to monitor the aircrafts position along the procedure.”
A
B @ 4000’
C @ 4000’ D @ 2600’
E @ 1400’305°
NTSB Case Study:
Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT): “Controlled flight of airworthy aircraft unintentionally into terrain without
awareness”
Project Objectives and Goals: Improve IAP situational awareness
with addition of shaded terrain
Predefine terrain intervals
Clip terrain to extent of planview
Python foundational coding
Proposed Methodology: 3 functions
Terrain python script GeoPDF to GeoTIFF python script
Incorporation of GDAL open source raster/vector translation library
Planview clip All scripts to be loaded as ESRI add-
ins Terrain and planview extents stored
in personal geodatabase
Terrain Python Script Process:
MosaicFocal
Statistics
Meters to Feet
Conversion
Reclassify
Contour Generation
Raster to Polygon
Add/ Calculate
Field
Final Raster
Final Raster
Add/ Calculate
Field
Append to Geodatabase
Terrain Python Script Process:
Ensure aligned projection and datum.
Elevation reclassifications embedded within script for 1000’ intervals
Discard intermediate data
Field calculations maintain finalized terrain sets based on airport identifiers
Raster Import Tool:
IAP
RasterTranslator
PythonBindings
TerraGo functions costly Required for Adobe Required for ArcMap
Open Source translator works well with numerous languages
GeoTIFF
Planview Clip Tool:
Project Deliverables:
Three distinct scripted tools Terrain generator Raster translator Planview clip
Script documentation
Test data and procedures
Presentation at ESRI Users Conference
Research paper
Project Timeline
Oct 2014 Nov 2014 Jan 2015Dec 2014
Mar 2015
Feb 2015
Apr 2015 May 2015 Jun 2015 July 2015
ESRI Abstract
Research and Script Development
Register GEOG 596B
Research Paper
Prepare ESRI Presentation
Present at 2015 ESRI UC
Anticipated Results: Automated, documented tools providing
flexibility to users
Add terrain to any geo-referenced IAP
Final product consumed within electronic flight bags
Repository of terrain and planview extents for IAP updates
Summary:Performance based navigation is the
future Improves navigational situational
awareness Alternative to expensive avionic systems
Supplemental Slides
Proposed Methodolgy:
Proposed Methodolgy:
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