Aircraft Speed Profile Switching for RTA Reliability and Fuel Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft time of arrival control systems compromise fuel efficiency when adjusting speed profiles to meet time constraints, reducing the desirability of such systems.
Innovation Solution
A system that dynamically computes a speed profile in real-time during flight, alternating between fuel-efficient and time-reliable strategies based on assessed risk, using a computing device to prioritize and switch flight strategies as needed to ensure both fuel efficiency and time reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the speed profile is altered to meet RTA time constraints, then time reliability is improved, but fuel efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the speed profile in real-time during flight, transitioning between fuel-efficient and time-reliable strategies based on assessed risk levels. The flight management system continuously monitors aircraft position, wind conditions, and time constraints to optimize speed adjustments, ensuring RTA compliance while minimizing fuel consumption penalties.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by adjusting speed corrections based on risk assessment. When risk is low, the system uses minimal speed corrections to maintain fuel efficiency. When risk increases (e.g., adverse wind conditions), the system increases speed corrections to ensure timely arrival, thereby adapting parameters to balance time reliability and fuel efficiency.
2Reliability
If speed corrections are applied to ensure RTA compliance, then time constraints are met, but fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary risk assessment before significant deviations occur by continuously evaluating forecast wind conditions and aircraft performance. This allows the flight management system to proactively adjust speed profiles in a controlled manner, preventing large last-minute speed changes that would consume excessive fuel, while still ensuring RTA compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring actual aircraft performance against the computed speed profile and comparing forecast conditions with actual conditions. This feedback loop allows the system to refine speed corrections in real-time, optimizing the balance between RTA compliance and fuel consumption by adjusting corrections based on actual flight progress and changing conditions.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for computing a required speed profile for an aircraft to meet a required time of arrival (RTA) for a waypoint of a current flight is provided. During flight, the method calculates a fuel-efficient speed profile for the aircraft to meet the RTA for the waypoint, by a processor of a computing device communicatively coupled to one or more avionics systems onboard the aircraft; activates the fuel-efficient speed profile to fly the aircraft to the waypoint, by the processor; determines a priority between fuel efficiency of the fuel-efficient speed profile and time reliability, by the processor; and when the priority is the time reliability, switches from the fuel-efficient speed profile to a guidance margin control strategy to fly the aircraft to the waypoint, wherein the guidance margin control strategy increases the time reliability by enabling the aircraft to satisfy constraints of the RTA.