This paper explores an analytic, geometric approach to finding optimal routes for commercial formation flight. A weighted extension of the classical Fermat point problem is used to develop a scalable methodology for the formation routing problem, enabling quick calculation of formation costs. This rapid evaluation allows the large-scale fleet assignment problem to be solved via a mixed integer linear program in reasonable time. Weighting schemes for aircraft performance characteristics are first introduced and then extended to allow for differential rates of fuel burn. Finally, a case study for 210 transatlantic flight routes is presented, with results showing possible average fuel-burn savings against solo flight of around 8.7% for formations of two and 13.1% for formations of up to three.
Analytic Approach to Optimal Routing for Commercial Formation Flight
Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics ; 38 , 10 ; 1872-1884
2015-03-12
13 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
Analytic Approach to Optimal Routing for Commercial Formation Flight
Online Contents | 2015
|On Optimal Routing For Commercial Formation Flight
AIAA | 2013
|A Geometric Approach to Optimal Routing for Commercial Formation Flight
British Library Conference Proceedings | 2012
|On Optimal Routing For Commercial Formation Flight (AIAA 2013-4889)
British Library Conference Proceedings | 2013
|