Aircraft Vertical Trajectory Management for Stabilized Approach
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft approach management systems often result in unstabilized final approaches due to late detection of energy states, leading to increased fuel consumption, engine wear, cabin noise, and passenger discomfort, as pilots must prematurely engage engines or airbrakes to maintain approach speed.
Innovation Solution
A method for optimized vertical trajectory management during aircraft approach, which predicts stabilization altitude and adjusts the trajectory iteratively to ensure the aircraft reaches the setpoint approach speed and altitude with optimal engine and configuration settings, using real-time parameter determination and comparison to establish an optimized vertical path that minimizes energy state deviations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pilots use engines earlier to maintain target approach speed after late detection of under-energy state, then approach speed can be maintained until stabilization point, but additional fuel consumption and engine wear occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of energy state using predicted stabilization altitude comparison, allowing pilots to take preventive action before the under-energy state becomes critical. By calculating the predicted stabilization altitude based on current aircraft parameters and comparing it with the expected value, the system enables early intervention that avoids the need for late engine engagement, thereby reducing fuel consumption and engine wear while maintaining approach speed reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism by continuously monitoring aircraft parameters (mass, center of gravity position, wind conditions, glide ratio) and calculating the predicted stabilization altitude. This feedback loop provides real-time information about energy state, allowing pilots to adjust their approach strategy proactively. The feedback enables optimization of engine usage by providing timely information about energy sufficiency, thus reducing unnecessary fuel consumption and engine wear while ensuring approach speed maintenance
2Speed
If pilots use airbrakes to reduce speed after late detection of over-energy state, then approach speed can be reduced to runway threshold, but stabilization procedure compliance is compromised and passenger comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables preliminary detection of over-energy state by comparing predicted stabilization altitude with expected values before the aircraft reaches the stabilization point. This early warning allows pilots to plan and execute speed reduction maneuvers in advance, maintaining compliance with stabilization procedures. By providing timely feedback on energy state, the system enables proactive aerodynamic configuration adjustments rather than reactive airbrake usage, ensuring procedure compliance and passenger comfort
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback mechanism continuously provides information about energy state through predicted stabilization altitude calculation, allowing pilots to make informed decisions about speed reduction timing and method. This feedback enables optimization of the deceleration process, allowing pilots to use aerodynamic configurations (slats, flaps, landing gear) at optimal moments rather than relying on late airbrake deployment, thus maintaining stabilization procedure compliance and reducing passenger discomfort
3Ease of operation
If aircraft follows predetermined approach trajectory without optimization, then flight path is simple to follow, but energy state deviations occur leading to unstabilized approach
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the aircraft to self-assess its energy state by calculating predicted stabilization altitude based on its own parameters (mass, center of gravity, aerodynamic configuration) and environmental conditions. This self-service capability allows the aircraft to automatically identify energy deviations without external intervention, providing pilots with timely information to correct the trajectory and achieve stabilized approach while maintaining operational simplicity
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
- Method and device for optimized management of the vertical trajectory of an aircraft - According to the invention, the device (1) comprises means (21) for predicting the stabilization altitude at which the aircraft will reach a set approach speed, means (22) for comparing the predicted stabilization altitude to a set stabilization altitude and means (24) for establishing an optimized vertical trajectory when the difference between the predicted stabilization altitude and the set stabilization altitude is greater than a predefined altitude threshold.