Flight-Path Angles

This technology computes adaptable, fuel/cost-efficient, and flyable descent profiles for one or more aircraft for a particular airport, an arrival route, and a specific period of time. When used by ATC, it can aid the design of arrival procedures and assist the Efficient Descent Advisor (EDA) to realize its full benefits in guiding arrival flights through the transition airspace. When used by airlines, it can potentially reduce the direct operating costs of their arrival flights, particularly for those flying to outstation airports. The algorithms select a descent profile, characterized by a flight-path angle or a descent rate, for one or a group of arrival flights. The minimum-fuel strategy achieves the most fuel benefit but requires communication of the profile in real time (e.g., via data link or voice communication). The other two strategies are less efficient but simpler to implement, and can be used to define more efficient arrival procedures. The algorithm compares fuel and flyability of each trajectory and selects a profile based on aggregated fuel benefits. Three strategies for selecting the descent profile are proposed. The minimum fuel strategy achieves the most fuel benefit but requires communication of the profile in real time such as data link or voice communication. The other two strategies are less efficient but simpler, and can be used in defining an arrival procedure.