A simple, airborne, flight-management descent algorithm was developed and programmed into a small programmable calculator. The algorithm may be operated in either a time mode or speed mode. The time mode was designed to aid the pilot in planning and executing a fuel-conservative descent to arrive at a metering fix at a time designated by the air traffic control system. The speed model was designed for planning fuel-conservative descents when time is not a consideration. The descent path for both modes was calculated for a constant with considerations given for the descent Mach/airspeed schedule, gross weight, wind, wind gradient, and nonstandard temperature effects. Flight tests, using the algorithm on the programmable calculator, showed that the open-loop guidance could be useful to airline flight crews for planning and executing fuel-conservative descents.


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    Title :

    Planning Fuel-Conservative Descents in an Airline Environmental Using a Small Programmable Calculator: Algorithm Development and Flight Test Results


    Contributors:
    C. E. Knox (author) / D. D. Vicroy (author) / D. A. Simmon (author)

    Publication date :

    1985


    Size :

    76 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English