Aircraft Vertical Trajectory Modification for Descent Slope Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft descent trajectory management systems often result in high descent slopes to quickly rejoin the intended trajectory, causing passenger discomfort and increased pilot workload due to constraints from air traffic control and flight plans.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for determining a real-time vertical aircraft trajectory by detecting triggering elements, such as altitude deviations, and modifying the trajectory with a new slope to ensure compliance with flight plan and air traffic control constraints, allowing for controlled speed and slope parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the aircraft initiates a descent phase with a higher descent slope to quickly rejoin the intended trajectory, then the productivity is improved by reducing the time to rejoin the trajectory, but the object-affected harmful factors worsen due to passenger discomfort and increased pilot workload
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the descent slope based on real-time conditions. Instead of using a fixed high descent slope to quickly rejoin the trajectory, the system modifies the slope parameter adaptively, selecting optimal values that balance rejoining speed with passenger comfort requirements, thereby resolving the contradiction between productivity and comfort
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the descent slope parameter from a fixed high value to a dynamically adjustable parameter. The system selects descent slope values from a range of possible values based on current flight conditions, allowing optimization of both the time to rejoin trajectory and the comfort level, thus resolving the technical contradiction
2Productivity
If the aircraft initiates a descent phase with a higher descent slope to quickly rejoin the intended trajectory, then the productivity is improved by reducing the time to rejoin the trajectory, but the ease of operation worsens due to increased pilot workload for managing speed
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically calculating and determining the optimal descent trajectory and slope parameters. The flight management system autonomously adjusts the descent profile based on real-time data, eliminating the need for pilots to manually manage speed and descent rate, thereby reducing pilot workload while maintaining productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring flight parameters and comparing the actual trajectory with the intended trajectory. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts the descent slope and other parameters to optimize both rejoining time and operational ease, resolving the contradiction between productivity and ease of operation
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for determining in real time a vertical trajectory of an aircraft is provided. The method includes a step for providing an initial vertical trajectory comprising an initial phase for changing flight level according to a first slope, between a first point at a first altitude, and a second point at a second altitude, at least one step for modifying the vertical trajectory, comprising a phase for detecting a triggering element when the aircraft is at the first altitude, when said triggering element is detected, and a phase for determining a modified vertical trajectory, said modified vertical trajectory comprising a modified phase for changing flight level according to a second predefined slope, from a modified point at said first altitude, distinct from said first point, to said second altitude.