Simulation of IFR Helicopter Operations in the Gulf of Mexico Low-Altitude Airspace

Abstract

This paper describes a model and simulation of offshore Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) helicopter operations originating from Intracoastal City, Louisiana, into the Gulf of Mexico. The existing en route airspace structure of Houston Center’s Offshore Sector below 7,000 ft, and the instrument approaches at Intracoastal City, both based on Global Positioning System navigation, were modeled in detail. The established Air Traffic Control (ATC) procedures of Lafayette Approach Control (LFT) and Houston Center were modeled to ensure that the simulated traffic flows reflected those that are followed in actual IFR operations. Three scenarios were simulated, one scenario in the existing, predominantly non-radar environment, and two in hypothetical radar environments. The results of these simulations were used to evaluate the capacity improvements gained through introduction of radar and direct pilot/controller communication into the terminal and the en route areas of the Gulf of Mexico. The baseline scenario results indicate that there were significant delays attributable to capacity constraints at Intracoastal City. A large delay reduction was obtained by adding the terminal-area radar and a further reduction in delays was obtained by adding the en route radar.