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CEAS EuroGNC 2022

Toward Onboard Trajectory Optimization for Fuel-Saving Climb of Aircraft with Automatic Flight Control
Daniel M. Gierszewski Research Associate, Institute of Flight System Dynamics, Technische Universität München, 85748, Garching, Germany.
Vincent Fafard Graduate Student, Institute of Flight System Dynamics, Technische Universität München, 85748, Garching, Germany.
Felix Schweighofer Research Associate, Institute of Flight System Dynamics, Technische Universität München, 85748, Garching, Germany.
Patrick Piprek Dr.-Ing., Institute of Flight System Dynamics, Technische Universität München, 85748, Garching, Germany.
Moritz Speckmaier Research Associate, Institute of Flight System Dynamics, Technische Universität München, 85748, Garching, Germany.
Florian Holzapfel Institute Chair and Professor, Institute of Flight System Dynamics, Technische Universität München, 85748, Garching, Germany.
Abstract:
An approach to decrease fuel consumption during climb by using trajectory optimization and automatic flight path control is presented. The proposed concept prepares onboard generation of optimal flight trajectories which accounts for current atmospheric conditions, available aircraft performance, and operational constraints. The optimization algorithm is decoupled from the safety-critical flight control algorithms by means of a gateway which checks the feasibility of the generated trajectories. As part of a modular flight guidance and control system, a path controller for tracking the fuel-optimal trajectories is presented. The approach is demonstrated in simulation using a closed-loop model of a high-altitude utility aircraft. The aircraft model is described along with the optimal control problem formulation. Simulation results demonstrate the fuel savings of the optimal climb mode compared to a standard autopilot climb procedure.
Keywords: Fuel-Optimal; Trajectory Optimization; Path Control; Autothrust
 View PDF CEAS-GNC-2022-044


Daniel M. Gierszewski, Vincent Fafard, Felix Schweighofer, Patrick Piprek, Moritz Speckmaier, Florian Holzapfel: Toward Onboard Trajectory Optimization for Fuel-Saving Climb of Aircraft with Automatic Flight Control. Proceedings of the 2022 CEAS EuroGNC conference. Berlin, Germany. May 2022. CEAS-GNC-2022-044.
BibTeX entry:

@Incollection{CEAS-GNC-2022-044,
    authors = {Gierszewski, Daniel M. and Fafard, Vincent and Schweighofer, Felix and Piprek, Patrick and Speckmaier, Moritz and Holzapfel, Florian},
    title = {Toward Onboard Trajectory Optimization for Fuel-Saving Climb of Aircraft with Automatic Flight Control},
    booktitle = {Proceedings of the 2022 {CEAS EuroGNC} conference},
    address = {Berlin, Germany},
    month = may,
    year = {2022},
    note = {CEAS-GNC-2022-044}
}