Method for in-trail opportunity window estimator

摘要

A method is operable to identify and indicate opportunities for an In-Trail procedure (ITP) aircraft to make an ITP altitude change. An exemplary embodiment receives information corresponding to a desired ITP altitude for the ITP aircraft and a projected window period; estimates at least one ITP maneuver opportunity window based on the estimated location of each of the plurality of other aircraft and based on a current airspeed and a current altitude of the ITP aircraft; generates a screen shot that presents an ITP maneuver opportunity window icon, wherein the ITP maneuver opportunity window icon graphically indicates the soonest time and the latest time that the ITP aircraft may initiate the ITP maneuver, and wherein the ITP maneuver opportunity window icon indicates an altitude change made by the ITP aircraft will maintain minimum safe self separation distances from the plurality of other aircraft during the ITP maneuver.