Method and electronic device for providing an optimal quantity of aircraft fuel

Abstract

A method and electronic device for providing an optimal quantity of aircraft fuel. The method comprises collecting recorded flight data (102) from past flights of an aircraft; determining (104) aircraft specific performance correction parameters (106) per flight phase, using the recorded flight data (102); collecting a flight plan (108) of the aircraft; determining (110) the total fuel required (114) for the given flight plan (108), using the aircraft specific performance correction parameters (106); determining (116) a single synthetic drag factor ([epsilon]D<FMS>) and a single synthetic fuelfactor ([epsilon]FF<FMS>) that, when used by the aircraft FMS, yield the said total fuel required (114) for the given flight plan (108); receiving an estimated total fuel required (122) determined bythe aircraft FMS based on the flight plan (108), the single synthetic drag factor ([epsilon]D<FMS>) and the single synthetic fuel factor ([epsilon]FF<FMS>). The method allows reducing the fuel weightand total flight cost, and is particularly advantageous for FMS which only admit one single drag factor and one single fuel factor.

Description

technical field [0001] The present disclosure is within the field of avionics and relates to methods and systems for improving aircraft performance. More specifically, it is an object of the present disclosure to estimate more accurate fuel consumption for a determined flight plan and to reduce the amount of fuel loaded onto an aircraft prior to execution of a given flight plan. Background technique [0002] Fuel estimates are typically used to determine fuel requirements for a given flight plan. The fuel estimate can then be used to determine how much fuel to load for a particular flight. Therefore, the accuracy of fuel estimates may be important for flight planning. If the estimate is lower than the calculated probable fuel requirement, then not enough fuel may not have been loaded for the flight. Alternatively, if the estimated value exceeds the calculated required amount of fuel, then more fuel may be loaded than required, which may add unnecessary weight to the fligh...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Although loading extra fuel reduces the risk that an aircraft may need to be redirected due to low fuel, loading extra fuel increases aircraft weight, total fuel burned, and overall flight cost

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