Aircraft Performance Modeling Using Phase-Segmented Flight Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft performance models often fail to accurately predict the performance of individual aircraft due to manufacturing differences and changes over time, leading to increased costs from carrying extra fuel to account for prediction inaccuracies.
Innovation Solution
A system that generates an aircraft performance model based on historical flight data by preprocessing, segmenting data by flight phases, applying a baseline model to determine parameter values, and iteratively updating coefficients using linear regression to create a more accurate representation of the aircraft's performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a nominal aircraft performance model is used to predict aircraft performance, then the prediction process is simple and fast, but the accuracy of performance predictions deteriorates due to manufacturing differences and changes over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by updating the performance model with actual flight data to adjust parameters such as fuel consumption, thrust, and drag coefficients. This allows the model to adapt to individual aircraft variations and changes over time, improving prediction accuracy without requiring a completely new complex model
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a customized copy of the nominal performance model for each individual aircraft by applying aircraft-specific corrections and adjustments based on historical flight data. This copying approach allows the simple nominal model structure to be replicated and tailored to individual aircraft, maintaining simplicity while improving accuracy
2Reliability
If extra fuel is carried to account for prediction inaccuracies, then the reliability of flight planning is improved, but the weight of the aircraft increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using actual flight data from historical operations to continuously update and refine the performance model. This feedback loop allows the system to learn from past predictions versus actual outcomes, improving future prediction accuracy and reducing the need for conservative fuel carrying
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of carrying extra physical fuel with an informational approach using improved predictive modeling. By substituting better data and algorithms for physical reserves, the system achieves reliability through accuracy rather than through additional weight
3Measurement precision
If phase-specific parameter determination is implemented, then the measurement precision of performance parameters is improved, but the complexity of data processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing flight data into distinct phases (takeoff, climb, cruise, descent, landing) and determining parameters specific to each phase. This segmentation allows for more precise parameter measurement by considering the unique characteristics of each flight phase while organizing data processing in a structured, manageable way
Data Source
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AI summary
A device includes a processor configured to obtain flight data of one or more aircraft of an aircraft type. The processor is configured to identify a first portion of the flight data as first phase flight data associated with a first phase of one or more flights of the one or more aircraft, and to apply a first aircraft performance model to the first phase flight data to determine first parameter values. The processor is configured to identify a second portion of the flight data as second phase flight data associated with a second phase of the one or more flights, and to apply the first aircraft performance model to the second phase flight data to determine second parameter values. The processor is configured to generate, based on the first parameter values and the second parameter values, a second aircraft performance model of a particular aircraft of the aircraft type.