Direct-To Tool For En Route Controllers

The Direct-To Tool helps controllers identibi all aircraft in their airspace that can reduce the time of flight en route by flying “direct-to” a waypoint on their flight plan located closer to the destination airport. The Tool provides controllers with a list of all aircraft eligible for a direct -to clearance, ordered by minutes saved. In addition to the call sign (ACID) of the eligible aircraft and the potential time saving, the list also includes the name of the waypoint for the direct -to clearance to be issued as to well as the conflict status of the direct- to trajectory. The trajectory analysis and conflict detection algorithm that generates the list of eligible direct-to aircraft uses the trajectory synthesis engine built into the CTAS software. The Direct-To trajectory is sent to the Center’s host computer via the CTAS-to-host data link, where it is registered as a flight plan amendment. After completing the amendment transaction, the controller would issue the Direct-To clearance to the pilot of the aircraft. Operation of the Tool in the Fort Worth Center is estimated to save more than 1000 minutes of flight time per day.