ATFM Training Simulator

ATFM Training Simulator

The ATFM (Air Traffic Flow Management) Training Simulator is a web-based training tool for National (DCC) and facility-level TMU personnel to practice issuing Traffic Management Initiatives (TMIs) against realistic traffic scenarios.

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Overview

Purpose

• Provide realistic traffic scenarios based on actual historical patterns
• Allow trainees to practice GS, GDP, AFP, MIT, and reroute decisions
• Score trainee performance against optimal outcomes
• Enable instructor-led and self-guided training modes

Target Users

• DCC TMU trainees
• Facility TMU trainees
• ATFM instructors

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Architecture

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                      PERTI Web Application                       │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  simulator.php         │  Frontend UI (MapLibre, timeline)      │
│  assets/js/simulator/  │  JavaScript controllers                │
│  api/simulator/        │  PHP API endpoints                     │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                    Flight Engine Service                         │
│  simulator/engine/     │  Node.js headless flight simulation    │
│  - AircraftModel.js    │  Flight physics (position, climb, etc) │
│  - SimulationController│  Multi-aircraft management             │
│  - NavDataClient.js    │  PERTI nav_fixes integration           │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                      Azure SQL Database                          │
│  sim_ref_*             │  Reference data (routes, demand)       │
│  sim_session_*         │  Session state (planned)               │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

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Features

Traffic Management Initiatives

The simulator supports practicing the following TMI types:

TMI Type	Description
GS	Ground Stop - Hold all departures to an airport
GDP	Ground Delay Program - Assign EDCTs to spread arrivals
AFP	Airspace Flow Program - Control flow through an FCA
MIT	Miles-In-Trail - Spacing requirements between aircraft
Reroute	Redirect traffic around constraints

Simulation Capabilities

• Realistic Traffic Patterns: Based on 20.6M flight records from BTS data
• Time Compression: Run simulations at 2x, 4x, 8x speed
• Weather Injection: Simulate weather impacts on capacity
• Pilot Compliance: Variable compliance modeling
• Scoring: Compare trainee decisions against optimal outcomes

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Reference Data

The simulator uses reference data derived from actual flight statistics:

Table	Records	Description
sim_ref_carrier_lookup	17	US carriers with IATA/ICAO codes
sim_ref_route_patterns	3,989	O-D routes with hourly patterns
sim_ref_airport_demand	107	Airport demand curves

Data Sources

• BTS On-Time Performance (Form 234): 20.6M flight records (2022-2024)
• BTS T-100 Domestic Segment: Aircraft type mappings
• openScope: Aircraft performance data (MIT license)

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Flight Engine

The Node.js flight engine provides realistic flight simulation:

Core Components

Component	Purpose
AircraftModel.js	Flight physics - position, altitude, speed, heading
SimulationController.js	Multi-simulation/aircraft management
NavDataClient.js	Fetches nav_fixes from PERTI database
flightMath.js	Great circle, TAS/IAS, wind calculations
flightConstants.js	Aviation constants and thresholds

ATC Commands

Command	Parameters	Description
FH	heading	Fly heading
TL/TR	heading	Turn left/right to heading
CM	altitude	Climb and maintain
DM	altitude	Descend and maintain
SP	speed	Maintain speed
DIRECT	fix	Proceed direct to fix
RESUME	-	Resume own navigation

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API Endpoints

Endpoint	Method	Purpose
/api/simulator/navdata.php	GET	Navigation data for flight routing
/api/simulator/engine.php	GET/POST	Engine control (start/stop/state)
/api/simulator/routes.php	GET	Route pattern data
/api/simulator/traffic.php	GET/POST	Traffic generation and state

See API Reference#atfm-training-simulator-apis for detailed documentation.

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Development Status

The simulator is currently in Phase 0 (Core Flight Engine).

Implementation Phases

Phase	Status	Description
Phase 0	In Progress	Core flight engine, reference data
Phase 1	Planned	Core simulator + GS/GDP
Phase 2	Planned	Extended TMIs + pilot behavior
Phase 3	Planned	Scoring + tutorials
Phase 4	Planned	Instructor tools
Phase 5	Planned	Historical event replay

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Getting Started

For Trainees

1. Navigate to /simulator.php
2. Select a training scenario or create custom
3. Start the simulation
4. Issue TMIs as conditions develop
5. Review scoring and feedback

For Instructors

1. Access instructor panel
2. Create or select scenarios
3. Monitor trainee sessions
4. Inject events (weather, traffic surges)
5. Generate performance reports

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Related Documentation

• API Reference - API documentation
• GDT Ground Delay Tool - Live GDT operations
• Acronyms - Terminology reference
• docs/ATFM_Simulator_Design_Document_v1.md - Full design specification

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See Also

• Demand Analysis Walkthrough - Understanding demand/capacity
• Creating PERTI Plans - Planning workflows
• Changelog - Version history