The facility is among 100 products and technologies in various categories that are being honored today during a luncheon and exhibit at the Tavern on the Green restaurant in New York City's Central Park. FutureFlight Central not only uses modern computer technology, but also permits controllers, pilots and ground personnel to perform their jobs during the simulations. FutureFlight Central can house as many as a dozen air traffic controllers, and it can represent the busiest U.S. airport towers in size and capability. We can measure the impact of a change on the airport's capacity, and let the controllers try it first-hand, all before anything is built. In FutureFlight Central, scenes evolve in the same manner that real-world changes occur.
Airplanes come and go, and weather changes.
Controllers use a simulated radio system, radar displays and other familiar tools. An awards luncheon is slated to follow at noon, with exhibits on display until 5 p.m. These viewers will crown one of the 100 winners with the Readers' Choice Award, to be announced on Jan. 5, 2001.