An application developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will be adopted by two popular airline companies in the United States for three years. Alaska Airlines and Virgin America will utilize the app called Traffic Aware Planner (TAP) to enable them to create "traffic aware strategic aircrew request" (TASAR).

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In its PRNewswire press release,  NASA explained how this new innovation can help these airlines save fuel and travel time.

TASAR project lead, David Wing, said that application TAP links to the aircraft avionics information hub installed on the airplane. What it does is it verifies the present position, altitude, flight course and other vital information of the airplane.

The app also determines the best possible routes and elevations that can cut the aircraft's fuel consumption or flying time and instantly notify the crew of these options.

Likewise, the software can detect probable flight conflicts in any route adjustment to facilitate faster decision or approval of air traffic controllers regarding the aircraft pilot's request for route adjustment. Other beneficial cabilities of TAP include its ability to retrieve important information that can affect the flight efficiency like instanteneous weather conditions  and wind forecast. Yet, these only apply to those aircrafts that have internet connection.

The TASAR app has undergone a couple of tests using a Piaggio P180 Avanti aircraft and both trials were successful. "We used it to make a route change request from air traffic control, which they granted," "We got a shortcut that saved four minutes off the flight time," stated William Cotton, a former airline captain and the pilot for the tests.

Aviation experts confirmed that even a few minute cut in an aircraft's flight time would mean big savings for the airline company. Virgin America COO Steve Forte exclaimed that the company is pleased to this partnership with NASA as this tech project has all the potential to benefit them. Meanwhile, Tom Kemp, VP of operations for Alaska Airlines, expressed his amazement over TAP's ability to provide comprehensive real-time data that are very vital in each flight.

Visit NASA's website to better understand this TAP software project.

TagsTraffic Aware Planner, TAP, Traffic Aware Strategic Aircrew Request, TASAR, NASA, Virgin America, Alaska Airlines