Method for flying an aircraft along a flight path

• US 8,645,009 B2
• Filed: 02/23/2012
• Issued: 02/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GE Aviation Systems LLC (GE Aerospace)
• Original Assignee: GE Aviation Systems LLC (GE Aerospace)
• Inventors: Klooster, Joel Kenneth
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): PAIGE, TYLER D
• Application Number:
  US13/402,986
• Publication Number:
  US 20130221164A1
• Time in Patent Office: 712 Days
• Field of Search: 701/3, 701/4, 701/5, 701/16, 244/75.1, 244/180
• US Class Current: 701/4
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0005 with arrangements to save energy
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0607 specially adapted for aircraft

Abstract

A method of flying an aircraft, where the aircraft has an associated performance envelope, along a flight path based determining an altitude profile for a cruise-climb along the flight path based on the performance envelope of the aircraft and flying the aircraft along the flight path to approximate the altitude profile.

Claims

1. A method of flying an aircraft, having an associated performance envelope, along a flight path, the method comprising:

determining, by a processor, a theoretical altitude profile for a cruise-climb along the flight path based on the performance envelope of the aircraft;

determining, by a processor, legal flight levels along the flight path; and

flying the aircraft along the flight path in a stepwise manner between the legal flight levels to approximate the theoretical altitude profile for the cruise-climb subject to at least one constraint in stepping between the legal flight levels.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the performance envelope comprises a constant thrust level for the aircraft.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the theoretical altitude profile for the cruise-climb comprises the altitude of the aircraft along the flight path while flying the aircraft at the constant thrust level.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a descent profile along the flight path.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising determining an intersection of the theoretical altitude profile for the cruise-climb and the descent profile.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the flying the aircraft along the flight path in a stepwise manner is ceased based on the determined intersection.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one constraint comprises flying at flight levels below the theoretical altitude profile for the cruise-climb along the flight path.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the at least one constraint further comprises flying at least a predetermined distance along a flight level.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the predetermined distance is 50 miles.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the at least one constraint further comprises avoiding a hazard on the flight path.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the at least one constraint further comprises flying at a highest legal flight level.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one constraint comprises flying at least a predetermined distance along a flight level.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the predetermined distance is 50 miles.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the at least one constraint comprises avoiding a hazard on the flight path.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the at least one constraint further comprises flying at a highest legal flight level.