System and method for optimizing an aircraft trajectory

A method for automatically determining a plurality of flight trajectories for a first aircraft, comprising:

• providing a traffic avoidance spacing system having at least one electronic device to process instructions for determining a plurality of flight trajectories and providing a flight management system;
• providing information regarding a first aircraft moving in space according to a first state vector;
• providing information regarding a second aircraft moving in space according to a second state vector, said second aircraft having an intersection point located in a trailing direction behind said second aircraft by a predetermined distance;
• determining, by said at least one electronic device, a first flight trajectory for said first aircraft based on said first state vector and a point-mass energy state of said first aircraft, said first flight trajectory including a top-of-descent point and a descent phase for said first aircraft;
• comparing, by said at least one electronic device, said first flight trajectory to said intersection point behind said second aircraft to confirm that said first flight trajectory passes through said intersection point during said descent phase;
• determining, by said at least one electronic device, a second flight trajectory for said first aircraft based on said first state vector and said point-mass energy state of said first aircraft, said second flight trajectory including a top-of-descent point and a descent phase for said first aircraft, said second flight trajectory having a distinct top-of-descent point from said first flight trajectory;
• comparing, by said at least one electronic device, said second flight trajectory to said intersection point behind said second aircraft to confirm that said second flight trajectory passes through said intersection point during said descent phase;
• receiving and executing, by said flight management system, one of said first and second flight trajectories so that said first aircraft passes through said intersection point;
• and
• achieving and maintaining, by said flight management system, a position of said first aircraft behind said second aircraft by said predetermined distance to establish a self-spacing interval between said first and second aircrafts.

A method for automatically determining a plurality of flight trajectories for a first aircraft, comprising:

• providing a traffic avoidance spacing system having at least one electronic device to process instructions for determining a plurality of flight trajectories and providing a flight management system;
• providing information regarding a first aircraft moving in space according to a first state vector;
• providing information regarding a second aircraft moving in space according to a second state vector, said second aircraft having an intersection point located in a trailing direction behind said second aircraft by a predetermined distance;
• determining, by said at least one electronic device, a first flight trajectory for said first aircraft based on said first state vector of said first aircraft, said first flight trajectory being optimized for a first parameter;
• comparing, by said at least one electronic device, said first flight trajectory to said intersection point behind said second aircraft to confirm that said first flight trajectory passes through said intersection point;
• determining, by said at least one electronic device, a second flight trajectory for said first aircraft based on said first state vector of said first aircraft, said second flight trajectory being optimized for a second parameter, and said second flight trajectory being distinct from said first flight trajectory;
• comparing, by said at least one electronic device, said second flight trajectory to said intersection point behind said second aircraft to confirm that said second flight trajectory passes through said intersection point;
• receiving and executing, by said flight management system, one of said first and second flight trajectories so that said first aircraft passes through said intersection point;
• and
• achieving and maintaining, by said flight management system, a position of said first aircraft behind said second aircraft by said predetermined distance to establish a self-spacing interval between said first and second aircrafts.