TBFM

A foundational Decision Support Tool for time-based management in the en route and terminal environments. TBFM’s core function is the ability to schedule aircraft within a stream of traffic to reach a defined constraint point at specified times, creating a time-ordered sequence of traffic. The scheduled times allow for merging of traffic flows, efficiently utilizing airport and airspace capacity while minimizing coordination and reducing the need for vectoring/holding.

Source FAA Pilot/Controller Glossary↗ · checked 2026-08-25