US 2026/0296637 A1 · IMPROVED METHOD FOR DETERMINING A DESCENT TRAJECTORY FOR AN AIRCRAFT, DEVICE FOR CARRYING OUT THE METHOD, AND AIRCRAFT

Abstract

A method for determining a continuous descent profile for an aircraft to an arrival point, said method includes breaking down a continuous descent profile into a plurality of descent trajectory segments, whereby each descent trajectory segment is associated with a local descent trajectory correction strategy selected among a plurality of predetermined descent trajectory correction strategies. The invention also relates to a device carrying out the method. The method advantageously makes it possible to satisfy all predefined altitude and speed constraints for an approach to airport facilities to which an aircraft is heading.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A method for determining a continuous descent profile for an aircraft towards a point of an arrival procedure referred to as an “arrival point”, said method comprising:

i) determining segments of an initial continuous descent profile based on at least the arrival point, predefined speed constraints and theoretical data concerning the evolution of the aircraft conducting a flight with minimum engine thrust,
ii) categorizing each of said determined segments of said initial profile among a plurality of predetermined energy level categories, based on at least said predefined speed constraints and altitude constraints, and
iii) determining, for each of said categorized segments, a local strategy for modifying said initial continuous descent profile, based on an energy category assigned to the segment in question, said local strategy aiming to determine, if necessary, times at which to increase the thrust and/or drag of said aircraft.

A device for determining a continuous descent profile for an aircraft, the device comprising electronic circuitry configured to:

i) determine segments of an initial continuous descent profile based on at least the arrival point, predefined speed constraints and theoretical data concerning the evolution of the aircraft conducting a flight with minimum engine thrust,
ii) categorize each of said determined segments of said initial profile among a plurality of predetermined energy level categories, based on at least said predefined speed constraints and altitude constraints, and
iii) determine, for each of said categorized segments, a local strategy for modifying said initial continuous descent profile, based on an energy category assigned to the segment in question, said local strategy aiming to determine, if necessary, times at which to increase the thrust and/or drag of said aircraft.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Improved method for determining a descent trajectory for an aircraft, device for carrying out the method, and aircraft

Life of this patent

Improved method for determining a descent trajectory for an aircraft, device for carrying out the method, and aircraft

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12