Estimation of aircraft performance parameters from ADS-C EPP data

New ATM trends consider a wide range of automation and shared data within new trajectory based operations. Within this concept aircraft will be able to predict and share very accurate trajectory data via Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Contract Extended Projected Profile (ADS-C EPP) reports. Current ground trajectory prediction tools do not have information on some important aircraft parameters that affect the performance and accuracy of predicted ground trajectory. ADS-C EPP is considered as an important source of those missing data. Most missing information is directly available from EPP report (e.g. current and predicted gross weight, predicted speed profile, predicted times on WPs, etc.). However, several other useful parameters can be further derived from EPP, such as rate of climb and descent, intended speed profile, and Mach/CAS crossover altitude. This article provides methods for how ground prediction tools can derive these parameters from EPP reports. Those parameters can then be used as input for the ground prediction process and help to make ground trajectory and ground aircraft performance predictions more accurate. By bringing together aircraft and avionics manufacturers, as well as the ANSPs and ground industry, SESAR has provided an appropriate environment to study and validate the benefits of the EPP for Air Traffic Control in parallel with the finalization of standards. This study provides a new method of using airborne computed data as to maximize ADS-C EPP expected benefits. Major emphasis is focused on climb data, however the cruise and descent phase are briefly discussed as well.