A method and related system may construct predictable 4-D flight profiles for fuel-efficient Optimized Profile Descents (OPD) in compliance with a Required Time of Arrival (RTA) constraint at a metering waypoint. The method may determine a feasible RTA window at the 95% confidence level enabling pilot awareness to accept or reject the RTA clearance. These methods may eliminate path unpredictability while retaining OPD benefits using constant flight path angle segments during descent. Thus, the vertical descent profile is clearly defined and, therefore, predictable to both pilots and air traffic control.
Predictable and required time of arrival compliant optimized profile descents with four dimensional flight management system and related method
2015-11-24
Patent
Electronic Resource
English
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