Multiple-Phase Trajectory Optimization for Formation Flight in Civil Aviation

A tool is developed that is able to optimize the trajectories of multiple aircraft that fly in formation in order to obtain the minimum total fuel consumption. Several experiments are conducted to investigate the benefits of formation flight for commercial aircraft. Finally, also the influences of wind and delay on the trajectories of the...

Formation Flight: Analysis of wake sensitivity, drag and control in trimmed flight

A research simulation model was created to perform extended research into formation flight dynamic behaviour. The principle of aircraft flying in formation is to lower the induced drag and fuel flow. A trail aircraft that flies within the wake vortex field of a lead aircraft encounters an increased effective angle of attack, reducing the induced...

Formation flight in civil aviation

A model has been developed to demonstrate the value of a decentralized approach to formation flight routing. In the considered scenario, formation flight is an in-flight option. While centralized approaches are well covered in the literature, anticipating the use of formation flight before take-off, decentralized approaches have received less...

Close formation flight control - with applications in commercial aviation

Ever since the beginning of manned flight, engineers have been inspired by nature in many ways. Birds have been flying in formation for as long as man remember and military aircraft followed suit. In the light of rising fuel prices, crowded airspace and stringent environmental regulations, formation flight could just be another leap forward in...