The new set of ATC radar approach simulations had been completed in ESTU and ZFOT by June 2020 despite the delays and working limitations of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The aim of the second set of ATC radar approach simulations is to validate and the flight efficiency indicators and training instructions obtained from the results of the first set of ATC radar approach simulations performed in 2018.
Before the simulation experiments, the trainees were briefed about the results of these baseline radar approach experiments and advised to use less heading change (HC), speed change (SC) and flight level change (FLC) instructions, avoid low-altitude level-offs (LAF) as much as possible. The results of the second set of ATC radar approach simulations showed, fuel consumption per arriving aircraft can be improved by 16% after receiving this critical information in efficiency briefings.
The findings also verified that heading instruction counts (HC) and low-altitude level-off flight percentages (LALF) affected fuel consumption, flight time and distance negatively, while speed increase instructions counts (SINC) had a positive impact on them. Therefore, the scoring models of fuel, flight time and distance indicators were improved for better assessment of trainees in terms of flight efficiency.