Dynamic Weather Routes Tool

About this technology

Overview

NASA has developed a ground-based aircraft flight automation system and tool that can save significant amounts of time and fuel in challenging weather situations. The Dynamic Weather Routes (DWR) tool continuously and automatically analyzes in-flight aircraft in en-route airspace to find corrections to preselected weather avoidance routes. Convective weather, such as severe thunderstorm activity, is the largest cause of delay in the U.S. National Airspace System. When such weather is present or forecast on preferred flight routes, weather avoidance routes are selected before takeoff. They often include large buffers to compensate for forecast uncertainty. As flights progress, airline dispatchers and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) traffic managers strive to find improved routes to reduce delay. However, operators are busy, especially during weather events, and may miss opportunities for more time-and-fuel-efficient routes. Automation hasn't previously existed to help operators determine when weather avoidance routes could be modified or eliminated to reduce delay.