The primary aim of the TBS system is to provide separation information for a sequence of aircraft arriving on a runway at an airport. This information includes TBS and DBS (Distance Based Separation) data.

To avoid an aircraft entering the zone of turbulence of another aircraft during the approach phase, minimum separation criteria between aircraft pairs are published based on their wake turbulence categories (which are effectively based on weight). These separations are expressed in terms of longitudinal distances for each possible combination of wake turbulence categories for the ‘Leader’ and ‘Follower’ aircraft.

Under significant headwind conditions, these distance separation thresholds have been proved to be too conservative, as the ground speed of the aircraft decreases resulting in a lower runway capacity.

Based on this fact, the objective of the Time Based Separation (TBS) concept is to replace these distance separations between successive arriving aircraft by time intervals whilst maintaining the required level of safety. It is expected that, if time separations are applied instead of distance separations, then, in combination with suitable support systems and the use of appropriate working methods, most of the potential loss of runway capacity will be recovered.

The current TBS demonstrator includes the following functionality:

• Presents separation and sequencing information to the user.
• Allows the user to change the sequence.
• Allows the user to switch between TBS mode and DBS mode, and to choose from different methods for calculating the TBS.
• Operates for multiple runways and/or airports.

---

Click to see the full-size image of the TBS CWP

TBS Description This application allows the user to run the current implementation of the TBS demonstrator. Download Launch TBS demonstrator