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System and method for managing speed constraints during required time of arrival operations

  • US 9,625,261 B2
  • Filed: 09/04/2014
  • Issued: 04/18/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2014
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for an aircraft to accomplish a required time of arrival at a waypoint, comprising:

  • determining, by a processor, an aircraft speed and speed profile required along a given flight plan containing one or more speed constraints including AT, AT OR BELOW or AT OR ABOVE speed constraints and a required time of arrival (RTA), wherein the determining the speed profile is based upon the mechanism consisting of;

    applying both a positive and a negative speed pads at a flight segment where both the AT OR BELOW and the AT OR ABOVE components of speed constraints apply,wherein the speed pads for the AT OR ABOVE speed constraints (PadPos) and for the AT OR BELOW speed constraints (PadNeg) determine the speed pad (PadDiv(i)) in an area (i) where the AT OR ABOVE speed constraint and the AT OR BELOW speed constraint difference (dV(i)) is less than twice a nominal speed pad (2*PadNom), and the PadDiv(i) is determined as;


    If PadPos<

    PadNom, then PadDiv(i)=PadPos*dV(i)/2/PadNom;


    If PadNeg<

    PadNom, then PadDiv(i)=(2*PadNom−

    PadNeg)*dV(i)/2/PadNom;


    If PadDiv(i)=dV(i)/2,and at least one or more of the mechanisms consisting of;

    continuous RTA ECON speed management between speed constraints;

    padding of an AT speed constraint and an AT or ABOVE speed constraint;

    decelerating proactively; and

    using a variable guidance margin, wherein the variable guidance margin is a speed change not included in a flight plan prediction.

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