US 2026/0301587 A1Published application

Method for determining a descent trajectory for an aircraft considering a selected speed constraint, device for executing the method and aircraft

AssigneeAirbus Operations GmbH

InventorsSylvain RAYNAUD, Charles RENAULT LEBERQUER

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Abstract

A method for modifying a first optimised continuous descent profile into a second optimised continuous descent profile for an aircraft destined for an arrival point, when the aircraft must comply with a new obtained speed constraint that was not initially planned according to the first completed optimised continuous descent profile. The method advantageously optimises a continuous descent of an aircraft towards an arrival point, by promoting minimum engine thrust, with limited computation means, while allowing compliance with a new speed constraint emanating from air traffic control and maximising compliance with the speed and altitude constraints imposed by an approach procedure, while limiting or reducing the mental load on the aircraft flight crew.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A method for determining a continuous descent profile of an aircraft towards a predefined point, called “arrival point”, of an arrival procedure, wherein said method comprises:

i) obtaining a first continuous descent profile established based on at least said arrival point, first predefined speed constraints and first predefined altitude constraints, and data representing flight conditions for the aircraft, with said first continuous descent profile being intended for minimising the use of the engine thrust of said aircraft;
ii) obtaining a second speed constraint, called “selected speed”, to be temporarily followed, with the second speed constraint not being included in said first speed constraints;
iii) determining a target point for which the selected speed constraint can be met;
and
iv) determining said continuous descent profile between said target point and said arrival point, with said profile comprising a plurality of descent segments of said aircraft, including a first segment that is able to meet the selected speed constraint, and the other subsequent segments are able to meet all or some of the first altitude and speed constraints that have not yet been met, with said continuous descent profile being intended to determine, if necessary, instants of increased thrust and/or drag of said aircraft.

2 more elements

A device for determining a continuous descent profile of an aircraft towards a predefined point, called “arrival point”, of an arrival procedure, wherein said device comprises electronic circuitry configured for:

i) obtaining a first continuous descent profile established based on at least said arrival point, first predefined speed constraints and first predefined altitude constraints, and data representing flight conditions for the aircraft, with said first continuous descent profile being intended for minimising the use of the engine thrust of said aircraft;
ii) obtaining a second speed constraint, called “selected speed”, to be temporarily followed, with the second speed constraint not being included in said first speed constraints;
iii) determining a target point for which the selected speed constraint can be met;
and
v) determining said continuous descent profile between said target point and said arrival point, with said profile comprising a plurality of descent segments of said aircraft, including a first segment that is able to meet the selected speed constraint, and the other subsequent segments are able to meet all or some of the first altitude and speed constraints that have not yet been met, with said continuous descent profile being intended to determine, if necessary, instants of increased thrust and/or drag of said aircraft.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.