Resilient Enhancement of Trajectory-Based Operations In Aviation

Abstract

An example method includes determining a probable flight trajectory for each respective flight; modifying the probable flight trajectory based on constraints imposed by Air Traffic Controller (ATC) rules to generate a modified flight trajectory; assigning respective arrival slots for modified flight trajectories; receiving trajectory exchange information indicating that two aircraft operators have exchanged two respective flight trajectories associated with two respective flights operated by the two aircraft operators; based on the trajectory exchange information, modifying: (i) the two respective flight trajectories, and (ii) respective arrival slots assigned to the two respective flight trajectories; and transmitting, by the computing device, the modified two respective flight trajectories to respective aircraft assigned to perform the two respective flights.

Description

FIELD[0001]The present disclosure relates generally to air traffic and operations in aviation.BACKGROUND[0002]There is a distinction between strategic air traffic flow management, the plans for which could begin up to years ahead and can be adjusted up to a few hours before the operation, and the tactical interventions of Air Traffic Controller (ATC). This dichotomy happens in part because of events with little predictability that may take place in an airspace or airport, and in part because there is lack of accurate trajectory models and standards throughout the air transportation system.[0003]In order to promote and maintain predictability, major airports around the world control the flow of aircraft traffic in and out on the basis of slots. A slot is a time window inside which the designated flight is expected to arrive or depart. If the flight misses its slot, it waits for an opportunity window, and the waiting time for the opportunity window is highly variable and could be long...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present patent describes a system and method for optimizing flight trajectories in aviation. The system includes a flight management computing device and a trajectory management module, which work together to determine and modify flight trajectories based on information such as weather conditions, airspace and airport constraints, and performance parameters of the aircraft. The system can also receive and process trajectory exchange information between aircraft operators, and assign arrival slots to the modified flight trajectories. The technical effects of the patent include improved operational efficiency, reduced fuel consumption, and improved safety and reliability.

Problems solved by technology

This dichotomy happens in part because of events with little predictability that may take place in an airspace or airport, and in part because there is lack of accurate trajectory models and standards throughout the air transportation system.

If the flight misses its slot, it waits for an opportunity window, and the waiting time for the opportunity window is highly variable and could be long.

This problem is aggravated if the accuracy of air traffic predictions is low.

Another source of inefficiency in the current air transportation system is the slot allocation system, which includes a seasonal planning as well as day-to-day operational adjustment.

The slot allocation system is rendered inefficient by the fact that each country or region, in which the slots are made available, has its own applicable regulations and may have its own understanding of what a slot is and how slots are managed.

Treating a slot as a property and the current disruption traffic management rules cause rigidities and inefficiencies in air traffic.

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