On Fri, 30 Sep 2005 00:52:51 -0400, "Morgans"
wrote:


"Capt.Doug" wrote

The FAA has instituted a test program similar to what you describe. So
far,
the test results are disappointing.

Is there some way with existing technology, that a pilot could alert ground
personnel that he is on takeoff roll?

I picture some code be entered into a transponder, from the time the pilot
receives takeoff clearance, until (s)he goes wheels up, then goes back to
the assigned code. The computers and display would then clearly show the
location of the pilot, on which runway, and that he has begun rolling.
Perhaps that (in addition) could trigger the stop lights.

Could the same work for when (s)he has been given landing clearance, and is
on very short final?

Just an idea, and I'm sure there are problems, but could this, or something
like it work?

There is something like that available, only not for aircraft. When I
was a police officer we had mobile data terminals (MDT's) in our
patrol car. A signal would go off telling us that we had an incoming
call, I hit one button to acknowledge the call, The next button I
would hit would to tell the system that I was en route. When I got to
the scene, I would hit another button that told the system I was
there. Then when I was finished, I would hit another button that
told the system I was done and that I was back in service. I could go
from call to call to call all day long without even talking on the
radio. So I could easily see this implemented in aircraft as follows:
Button one: acknowledge cleared for take off, Button two: Cleared
runway. Button fthreer: acknowledge cleared for landing. Button
four: off of active. With this incorporated into the transponder,
the system would see which transponder sent the signal and change the
lights as so required. So it could be accomplished, I would just hate
to see what the cost would be to do something like that.



Scott D.