Studies on the flight performance optimization of commercial aircrafts

A thorough research on the flight trajectory optimization techniques with energy-state approach is conducted in this paper. The point-mass energy-state approximation model and the trajectory optimization principle and algorithms based on this model are first summarized. The fixed-time 4D trajectory optimization is then discussed, and the associated iteration algorithm is developed. The step-climb mode optimization principle and method are considered and discussed. An algorithm simplification approach based on modelling the optimized results for specific aircraft model is presented and discussed, aimed to reduce the computation requirement amount so as to enhance its on-board real-time implementation property. Digital simulations and some specific modelling results for a Boeing-707 transport aircraft model are presented and discussed.<>