Aircraft Flight Plan Shortcut Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft mission management systems do not effectively optimize flight plans by continuously considering all fixed and changing constraints impacting the aircraft's trajectory, limiting the ability to find the most efficient route.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and device that automatically search for shortcuts between waypoints and intermediate points in a flight plan, constructing a graph to identify the optimum path based on optimization criteria such as fuel consumption, time, or distance, using algorithms like Dijkstra to calculate and display the most efficient trajectory.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If ground-based mission preparation and operations center management are used, then mission management is performed, but automatic optimization during the mission is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The flight management system automatically optimizes the flight plan during the mission by itself, without requiring continuous ground-based intervention. The system evaluates constraints, calculates optimized trajectories, and proposes shortcuts autonomously based on real-time data and pre-defined optimization criteria.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-calculates multiple possible trajectories and evaluates constraints before finalizing the optimized flight plan. By preparing alternative routes and assessing all constraints in advance, the system can quickly implement optimizations when conditions change during the mission.
2Reliability
If existing mission management solutions are used, then some optimization assistance is provided, but continuous consideration of all fixed and changing constraints is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The optimization system segments constraints into fixed constraints (airspace boundaries, no-fly zones, minimum/maximum altitudes) and changing constraints (weather conditions, air traffic control instructions, aircraft performance). This segmentation allows the system to systematically evaluate each constraint type separately while maintaining overall compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The flight management system integrates multiple functions into a single unified optimization process: trajectory calculation, constraint evaluation, shortcut identification, and flight plan modification. This multi-functional approach ensures all constraints are considered simultaneously without requiring separate specialized systems.
3Productivity
If manual flight plan management is used, then operational control is maintained, but automatic shortcut identification and trajectory optimization are not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual mechanical processes of flight plan creation and modification with automated computational algorithms. The flight management system automatically calculates optimized trajectories, identifies shortcuts between waypoints, and proposes time-efficient routes without requiring manual intervention in the trajectory calculation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the actual flight progress and compares it with the optimized trajectory, providing feedback to automatically adjust the flight plan. This feedback mechanism allows the system to identify and implement shortcuts in real-time, reducing the time required for mission execution while maintaining safety and compliance.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for optimizing a mission of an aircraft, the aircraft having a predefined flight plan between a starting point and an arrival point, the flight plan comprising a set of waypoints. The method comprises steps of: calculating, for the aircraft, a reference trajectory between the starting point and the arrival point, the reference trajectory comprising a set of segments and of intermediate points linking the segments of the reference trajectory; defining a search area in the reference trajectory between an initial position and a final position to be reached for this area; determining, in the search area, all possible shortcuts between the initial position and the final position, a shortcut being able to take into account any type of point, points of the flight plan and/or intermediate points of the reference trajectory; and identifying the combination of shortcuts corresponding to an optimum path according to an optimization criterion, the optimum path optimizing the mission of the aircraft in the search area.