Continuous Descent Procedures

What people hear on the ground can be influenced kilometres away from the airport. By giving pilots a more predictable route, aircraft can stay higher for longer and descend in a more continuous path.  

Think of cycling downhill. If you know exactly where you are going and the road ahead is clear, you can roll smoothly towards your destination. But if directions keep changing, you may need to brake, pedal again and constantly adjust your speed.  

The same principle applies to aircraft. Together with air traffic controller skeyes, Stargate tested more predictable arrival routes to help pilots plan a smoother descent, known as Continuous Descent Operations (CDO). A smoother descent can reduce noise on the ground while also cutting fuel use and emissions. The trials, however, also revealed how challenging it can be to apply this approach consistently in busy airspace, where weather, traffic and many other factors must constantly be balanced.