The optimization of aircraft trajectories using the theory of singular optimal control is studied in this thesis. To describe the aircraft motion, a general nonlinear 3-degree-of-freedom point-mass model is adopted, along with realistic aerodynamic and pr
In this paper, a methodology to assess the uncertainty of sector demand when subject to weather uncertainty is presented. The methodology requires the definition of a scenario (in terms of Air Traffic Control sector, flights, and weather forecasts to be considered), the processing of meteorological data (provided by Ensemble Prediction Systems,...
Cruise optimization at constant altitude is formulated as a singular optimal control problem. The cases of maximum range, minimum direct operating cost and minimum fuel with fixed arrival time are analyzed, providing a comprehensive analysis of optimum cruise at constant altitude. The case of unsteady cruise with variable aircraft mass has been...
The effects of wind uncertainty on aircraft fuel consumption are analyzed using a probabilistic trajectory predictor. The case of cruise flight subject to an average constant wind is considered. The average wind is modeled as a random variable; the wind uncertainty is obtained from ensemble weather forecasts. The probabilistic trajectory...
Standard flight procedures for climb, cruise and descent, commonly flown by commercial aircraft, are analyzed, and the optimality of their performance is assessed by comparison with the perfor- mance of optimal trajectories, which are computed using the theory of singular optimal control. Three flight procedures are studied: CAS/Mach climb,...
The problem of aircraft trajectory prediction subject to weather uncertainty is addressed. In particular, a probabilistic analysis of aircraft fuel consumption taking into account wind uncertainty is presented. The wind uncertainty is obtained from ensemble weather forecasts. The analysis is focused on the cruise flight, which is composed of...