Characterizing Height-keeping Error Distribution Based on Indirect Observation

Abstract

Mathematical collision risk models, e.g. the Reich (1966) model, may be useful for evaluating the safety of air traffic control systems. The model requires parameters associated with the navigational errors of aircraft. Among navigational errors the distribution of height-keeping errors (HKE) is of great interest for evaluating the feasibility of reducing the current 2000 ft vertical separation standard above flight level 290 (29000 ft). The distribution is closely related to the probability of vertical overlap which is a key parameter of the collision risk model.