The Research Development & Human Factors Laboratory (RDHFL) is a multifunctional facility, with five separate experiment rooms primarily oriented to the exploration, demonstration and evaluation of future concepts in the National Airspace System (NAS). The lab simulates several operational environments including En Route, Terminal and Tower. It also houses the Virtual Reality (VR) Lab which among many things can be used to create 3D graphical representations of concepts and designs. All experiment rooms within the lab provide extensive performance-measuring capabilities and help to support human factors research in aviation.

The EIIF supports exploratory research and development activities that apply to En Route infrastructure modernization and integration of new systems or capabilities into the NAS. Its capabilities include proof-of-concept prototypes, early engineering assessments for new systems, operational evaluations, risk reduction demonstrations, training, and operational procedure development for both Air Traffic and Airway Facilities personnel as needed by the agency or any independent organization.

Virtual Tour

The ISO 9001:2015 registered and certified Communications Maintenance Section provides en route and terminal voice switches and various subsystems to support second-level engineering technical refresh, system upgrades, field support, OT&E and Air Traffic Control voice communications during simulation support activities. Researchers can simultaneously configure systems to emulate any en route, terminal or tower facility and leverage real-time remote monitoring, voice recordings and push-to-talk logs.

AFTIL simulates potential sites in a realistic ATCT simulator, using photo-realistic, 3D airport models and aircraft simulations to render a much more complete evaluation of potential ATCT sites. Features include a full-scale Mock-up/VR Lab and a Control Tower Cab Simulation Suite that contains 13 eight-foot display walls each consisting of four 55" monitors, 360-degree horizontal out-the-window display area, a control tower wrap-around console and tower support equipment.

The Radar Maintenance Team performs preventive and corrective maintenance to all radar systems in the NAS, supports system modifications, and conducts system configuration changes for NAS system upgrades and system testing. Its primary and secondary radar systems provide the NAS laboratories with live radar, which can contain special radar system events and test flight data flown at the WJHTC.

The EnRoute labs uses its complex computer main frame system architecture, designed to emulate the Nation's 22 operational Air Route Traffic Control Centers, to conduct research and development, experimentation, and evaluation testing leveraging testbeds such as EnRoute Communications Gateway and EnRoute Automation Modernization, the backbone of EnRoute. The lab teams provide field site support, facilitate hardware/software deployment to the field sites, and improve process and procedure across the NAS in pursuit of mission fulfillment: to enhance/upgrade/modernize the existing NAS and facilitate the development of the info-centric NAS.

OIIF’s engineering, simulation, and laboratory capabilities provide a source to explore, evaluate, and modernize oceanic domain air traffic concepts within a prototyping environment and can integrate cutting-edge air traffic solutions into the existing domains. The OIIF is a fully functional, self-sustaining Advanced Technologies and Oceanic Procedures (ATOP)-based facility that is capable of being configured and customized to realistically represent the environment or scenarios of any operational oceanic air traffic control facility.

The Target Generation Facility (TGF) is a Dynamic Real-Time Air Traffic Simulation capability designed to generate realistic Aircraft trajectories and associated digital radar messages for aircraft in a simulated airspace environment. Up to 600 targets (400 piloted) can be generated in one or more concurrent simulation environments. Multiple Terminal, En-Route, and Oceanic airspaces may be simulated individually or simultaneously. The TGF capability is fully integrated. Simultaneous simulations in different environments and in different laboratories at the William J. Hughes Technical Center can be supported and can run concurrently.

TLF provides uninterrupted availability of laboratories representing every terminal automation system in the NAS, as well as for the systems, software, and hardware in the qualification pipeline. It supports more than 600 FAA Terminal Radar Approach Control and towers, and 170 Defense Department Radar Approach Control facilities worldwide through its full range of automation systems and laboratory environments requisite for software development, system test, second-level engineering, and deployment activities.

The Cockpit Simulation Facility, located at the William J. Hughes Technical Center, maintains and operates a variety of cockpit simulators of several common civilian aircraft in service today. The simulators at the CSF represent the most common aircraft types in their respective classes. The facility has in-house software and hardware development skills, making the cockpit simulators adaptable and customizable to meet project needs. All simulators are built on a common architecture that has been used in flight simulators certified to FAA Level C qualification for full flight simulators. The Cockpit Simulation Facility Section of the Simulation Branch develops and tests new technologies that enhance ATC Ground and Airborne flight information transfer and management. The work efforts of this group focus on evaluating communication protocols, standards, interoperability of systems, and human factors pertaining to the cockpit.

Virtual Tour

CSI&AM is dedicated to fire safety computer software development and data management; advanced fluid flow measurement techniques, and maintaining the operation and calibration of instrumentation for fire testing. Its four specialties focus on developing custom data acquisition software and data collection hardware for every aircraft fire test performed in the branch. Capabilities include measurement device calibration, data acquisition software development, particle image velocimetry, and laser doppler velocimeter/phase doppler particle analyzer.

The FSFTF conducts large-scale fire tests under controlled atmospheric condition with capability up to withstanding a 20x20 foot jet fuel fire without damage to the test cell. The FSFTF currently houses a B-707 and DC-10 aft section, married to a 90-foot long fuselage test section, where full-scale fire tests can simulate both post-crash external fuel fires and inflight interior fires in these aircraft.

The NFS evaluates fire suppression performance of substances anticipated to replace halon 1301, in lieu of a true aircraft engine. Within the NSF, simulation of a fire suppression event in an aircraft designated powerplant fire zone (PFZ) requires 1. Forced ventilation passing through nacelle-like structure, 2. A resident fire threat, 3. The injection of a fire extinguishing agent into the forced ventilation stream, and 4. The ability to control, monitor/observe, and record the simulation. NFS can also be used to develop a better understanding of a fire suppression environment.

The SMFTF conducts small-scale fire testing of aircraft materials. The SMFTF houses a rate-of-heat-release apparatus, National Bureau of Standards smoke density chamber, Bunsen burner flammability chamber for flat and sloped flammability tests, calorimeter calibrator, evacuation-slide test apparatus, and a Nexgen burner power plant tester.

The CFT Lab conducts medium-scale fire testing on aircraft system components. Two fire test cells, capable of venting small explosions, comprise the lab and are used for lithium battery testing, material flammability testing, and test development. The lab can conduct any medium scale aircraft system component and material fire testing.

The state-of-the-art FASTER Lab performs structural testing integrity of fuselage panels under realistic flight load conditions so researchers can study areas of safety and structural integrity. It is an R&D resource that can be used to assess the design, certification and continued airworthiness of airframe structures used in current and future generation airplanes. Data obtained from its tests calibrate, verify and validate aircraft structure fatigue and damage tolerance assessment methodologies.

The state-of-the-art POWER Lab performs aircraft engine research in a controlled environment that includes altitude simulation capability. It is an R&D resource that can be used to assess the design, certification, and continued airworthiness of aircraft propulsion systems. The lab can use up to three 500-horsepower and one 1500-horsepower eddy current dynamometers to investigate small to large GA power plants.

The SML generates requisite data for the FAA to forge regulations, directives, and guidance that ensures safe NAS adoption of emerging structural materials, fabrication and repair technologies, and design approaches. SML can perform structural strength and fatigue tests, fracture analysis, and fire resistance and burn characteristics on specimens varying from full-scale components to small-scale design features.

The mission of the Fire Safety Branch is to conduct, manage, and plan the Fire Research & Safety R&D Program (BLI A11.a);  transfer fire research products to FAA rulemaking/advisory materials and to the aviation Industry; and to operate and upgrade the fire test facilities at the Technical Center to meet aviation fire safety needs.

The state-of-the-art AFRL evaluates the chemical and physical properties of alternative aviation fuels to ensure fuel safety in the engine and in-flight testing environments in accordance with ASTM test standards for alternative biomass aviation fuels. Specifically, AFRL investigates fuel density and viscosity as functions of temperature, vapor pressure, distillation behaviors, fuel freezing, cloud and flash points, fuel conductivity and water content. It also analyzes fuel combustion mechanisms and detailed engine exhaust gas analyses for the mitigation of environmental impacts of alternative fuels.

The SDA Lab promotes the open exchange of safety information to continuously improve aviation safety by providing requisite computer resources to aviation research projects. Leveraging its shared, digital environment known as CASSIE (Computing and Analytics Shared Services Integrated Environment), the lab conducts research, and develops and tests across all WJHTC programs, sponsors and organizations.

The CV-L conducts experiments to establish and maintain appropriate color vision for pilots and air traffic controllers. The lab contains proprietary equipment for measuring ambient light, color chromaticity characteristics, and human color vision.

FLEXSIM replicates five different narrow-body aircraft interior configurations. It features an electromechanical attitude positioning system that can configure various aircraft positional attitudes. The facility is equipped with winglets, flaps, off-wing slides, floor-level exits, and evacuation slides.

APR-L is an advanced facility capable of supporting a wide range of both ground-based and hypobaric investigations on the effects of low-oxygen tension environments on humans, as well as the testing of aviation oxygen equipment. Aerospace physiology researchers investigate harmful environmental factors such as hypoxia, biological and chemical threats that detrimentally influence human functioning, physiology, safety, and health in aerospace environments. Resarchers also evaluate emergency situations to determine adequacy of aircraft protection breathing technology, and develop improved test methodologies and procedures to identify environmental hazards and quantify preventive measures.

FNSL leverages its High Performance Aeromedical Research Computing System to perform Monte Carlo simulations and to create synthetic pilot populations to study various parameters. FNSL’s Aerospace Medical Research Scientific Information System is used to apply system safety concepts to aerospace medicine as part of the CAMI Decision Support System. The systems enable the study of the aviation safety aspects of aeromedical certification and lead to the publication of scientific research studies and recommendations that will enhance aerospace medical certification standards, policies, and procedures.

The TOX Research Team leverages a database tool to determine the prevalence of drugs in aviation accident pilot fatalities. The team also studies the conditions that affect the accuracy and validity of such measurements, and adapts or develops improved methods for making such measurements. The TOX Biochemistry Research Team collaborates with the TOX Research Team and conducts research to identify biochemical factors that affect humans. It studies combustion gas and pharmaceuticals toxicity, and develops new and sensitive analytical procedures.

The FGR conducts gene expression research that involves the functional analysis of environmentally responsive genes and their protein products in the context of normal and abnormal physiological states, including sleep deprivation and hypoxia. The team primarily determines molecular expression changes in response to factors that affect aviation safety.

The Airflow Induction Facility tests aircraft models and subassemblies under a wide range of inflight airflow conditions at various speeds using an induction, non-return wind tunnel. Both its low-speed (30-150 mph) and high-speed (200-600 mph) sections can test composite fuel tank flammability, and inflight burn-through characteristics of aluminum and composite fuselage hull materials. The wind tunnel can accommodate destructive model testing and inflight fire simulation.

Our primary objective is to provide our customers with high quality imaging technology services that meet our customers’ goals and requirements. Our services are designed to complement and support the FAA's research and development efforts to develop, design and create multimedia products including videos, exhibits, displays and graphics that serve as documentation of the technical work performed within the William J. Hughes Technical Center campus. We focus on our customers by delivering high-value support services and by fostering teamwork and continuous improvement in everything we do.