Procedure and Interface Design for Continuous Descent Approaches Under End Time Constraints

Procedure and Interface Design for Continuous Descent Approaches Under End Time Constraints

Vasilopoulos, V.G. (Student TU Delft)
Borst, C. (TU Delft Control & Simulation)
van Paassen, M.M. (TU Delft Control & Simulation)
in 't Veld, A.C. (TU Delft Control & Simulation)
Mulder, Max (TU Delft Control & Simulation)

2023

The Continuous Descent Approach (CDA) offers reduced aircraft noise emissions and fuel consumption, but the obstacle limiting it to reduced traffic density conditions, is the low predictability of the trajectory and Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA). The solution proposed by this research is to develop a pilot support interface to facilitate the execution of a fixed flight path angle CDA, where thrust is not limited to idle and a velocity profile can be tracked, which will lead to a selected ETA. Initially, the CDA trajectory was investigated through an aerodynamic model, while the solution space of the ETA and the calculation of the stepwise velocity profile were defined. Following the analysis of the pilot’s role, a two-fold support interface was designed based on Ecological Interface Design (EID), with a Vertical Situation Display (VSD) playing a central role for planning and execution. The interface was tested in a MATLAB®/Simulink® setup and five pilots were recruited to execute simulations over different wind conditions. Their on-time performance was satisfactory, while they worked with the provided cues and suggested some interface changes to offer more flexibility. A more robust application of the proposed approach can lead to a wider adoption of the CDA, as a validated procedure.

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:ba09adbf-1c3f-4fb2-ac51-511d46e38be2

https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2023-1827

978-1-62410-699-6

AIAA SciTech Forum 2023

AIAA SCITECH 2023 Forum, 2023-01-23 → 2023-01-27, National Harbor, MD & Online, Washington, United States

Institutional Repository

conference paper

© 2023 V.G. Vasilopoulos, C. Borst, M.M. van Paassen, A.C. in 't Veld, Max Mulder