An FAA User Demonstration of the Terminal Area Icing Weather Information for NextGen (TAIWIN) Capability

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Terminal Area Icing Weather Information for NextGen (TAIWIN) project has developed a terminal area-based diagnostic and forecast icing capability to support safe flight operations in the terminal area. Because this capability intends to support flight operations related to departure, climb, approach, landing, and to the extent possible, holding areas, an understanding of how this information can and should fit into the operational paradigm is required. This perspective is also necessary to ensure the appropriate pathway(s) to operation is(are) pursued. To provide the TAIWIN capability development team with user-based insight, the FAA’s Aviation Weather Demonstration and Evaluation (AWDE) Services project led an independent user evaluation of the capability in Fall 2022. The goal of the evaluation was to determine the usability and suitability of the TAIWIN capability to support terminal area decision-making while also identifying the user groups that benefit from the icing information.

Participants were given access to the TAIWIN capability, here called the TAIWIN product, for three separate weather events in the Northeast United States. The TAIWIN product identified the predominant type of icing in terminal areas across the Northeast domain, indicating none, small-drop, freezing drizzle, or freezing rain for a 6-hour time window. For the three events, TAIWIN output was provided at 15-minute intervals for the first two hours, then hourly for hours two to six. Seventeen participants were interviewed, providing feedback on topics ranging from whether the TAIWIN product provides adequate icing information to aid in decision-making for flight planning, departure, and landing decisions to the usability of the TAIWIN product for decision support. Overall, the product was viewed positively. Participants indicated that the product would provide unique icing category information and aid in making go and no-go decisions as well as diversion or descent to a different altitude upon approach. They also indicated the product was easy to use and the information was easy to understand. Feedback also included several recommendations on the functionality, output, forecast length and trend information. The results of this user evaluation, along with the operational considerations, will be presented.

This research is in response to requirements and funding by the FAA. The views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official policy or position of the FAA.