# Innovative Integration of Severe Weather Forecasts into an Extended Arrival Manager
## 6 Discussion of Approach Planning Results under Severe Weather Conditions
### Results of Controllers' Validations  
In the validation process at the end of the project, five active and former ATCOs from Austria, Germany, and Poland received an introduction to the aims and the results of the functional extended AMAN with severe weather guidance support. Afterwards, an AMAN demonstration was held consisting of six videos comprising different AMAN  
Figure 22: Visualization of an AMAN-calculated 4D diversion trajectory for aircraft BEE156H approaching MXP from the west and currently ninth in the arrival sequence. In the upper dark blue shaded diagram, the altitude profile is displayed, and in the lower one the speed profile is displayed. It can be seen that the aircraft is already descending as it flies around the thunderstorm cell. MXP traffic mix from 11 May 2019 with weather from 11 May 2019 and the PhaSt nowcast model. planned trajectories that changed depending on weather dynamics, traffic dynamics, and the position of the aircraft. Additionally, two different kinds of weather presentations (filled and bordered areas) on radar displays and 4D trajectories with predicted speed and altitude profiles were introduced. During the validations, the main idea of combining meteorological data, air traffic approach procedures, and the topography of Malpensa in an AMAN for arrival support was presented. The new approach with the adjustment of routes at early stages through the use of forecast data and the organization of air traffic around dynamic weather areas was explained. Five new supporting functionalities with routing, sequencing, weather animation, aircraft tagging in the form of labels, and guidance advisories were introduced and demonstrated. After the introduction, the controllers viewed and analyzed the videos demonstrating AMAN planning and its impact on live traffic. The controllers then filled out a questionnaire with a total of 17 main questions and sub-questions on the technical assessment. Similar to the user requirements survey, 14 questions offered a seven-point response option that ranged between \"strongly agree\" and \"strongly disagree\". Each question also had a comment field where additional comments and suggestions as well as explanations of the answers could be added. The controllers had no time constraints when completing the survey. The questionnaire consisted of 17 questions and sub-questions, 14 of which had graded response options and could be statistically analyzed:  
1. In your opinion, can an AMAN be operationally improved by integrating adverse weather information? 1. In the entire TMA? 2. In arrival sectors? 3. On anything else? 2. In your opinion, can an AMAN be operationally improved by integrating adverse weather guidance support? 1. In the entire TMA? 2. In arrival sectors? 3. On anything else? 3. Would the concept proposed in SINOPTICA improve the situational awareness of the Flow Management Position (FMP) in adverse weather conditions? 4. Would the concept of the extended AMAN, proposed in SINOPTICA, lead to improved decision making? 1. Would it lead to timelier planning? 2. Would it anticipate decision making? 5. Would the SINOPTICA extended AMAN help to decide more appropriate ATFCM measures? Would it lead to improved Flow Management? 6. Would the proposed enhancements help reduce the negative effects of adverse weather? 7. Are the graphical displays proposed clear and easy to interpret? 8. Would you feel comfortable using the visual aids on the radar display? 9. All in all, do you find the proposed SINOPTICA concept for extended Arrival Management useful? Analysis of the questionnaires showed that the controllers had professional experience ranging between 1 and 25 years, which thus covers a wide range of experience in the profession of air traffic control. It becomes clear that the newly developed support and visualization functions received clear overall approval from the controllers.