Multiple Aircraft Descent Trajectory Optimization with Air Traffic Constraints for Minimal Fuel Consumption
by
Adriana Hristova Andreeva
University of Tokyo, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Suzuki and Tsuchiya Laboratory
Coauthors: Shinji Suzuki Prof. (University of Tokyo, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics), Eri Itoh PhD (Electronic Navigation Research Institute, Air Traffic Management Department)

Fuel saving in civil aviation is considered indispensable to both cost reduction and CO2 emission abatement. In this research, multiple civil aircraft three-dimensional descent trajectories are computed using sequential quadratic programming (SQP) algorithm. The performance function consists of the sum of fuel consumed by the airplanes. Since optimization variables include aircraft coordinates, thrust and lift coefficients, velocity and flight path angle, applying constraints on any of these allows us to find optimized flight paths in the presence of obstacles and limitations induced by the aircraft dynamics or air traffic control (ATC) requirements. In numerical examples, the start points for both aircraft are at cruising altitude of 33000 feet near the top of descent (TOD) and the end common is common at 5000 feet. The two aircraft are to arrive at the end point with a certain predefined time separation. Furthermore, separation minimum is to be maintained at all times throughout the descent in accordance with ATC regulations. Numerical simulations for a heavy and a medium aircraft are conducted. Depending on the flight time and the order of arrival of the aircraft at the end point, significant differences in total fuel consumption are obtained.

Date received: March 12, 2008