Digitalization of aircraft performance nomograms

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop a new tool for aircraft performance analysis and optimization.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper, the methodology of converting nomogram curves into mathematical functions is presented. Aircraft performance nomograms represent graphical interpretation of influence of several variables on performance such as environmental conditions, runway conditions and aircraft mass. The aircraft performance nomograms are converted in mathematical functions that describe several independent variables’ influence on aircraft performance parameters. To achieve greater accuracy in calculation of aircraft performance parameters, it is necessary to determine mathematical functions presented by dependent variable variations with several independent variables. The method of determining mathematical functions is illustrated on Fokker 100 landing gear extended net climb gradient determination graph.FindingsTo evaluate model, it was necessary to determine net climb gradient both graphically and analytically using model and compare the results. After solving both analytically and graphically, it was concluded that results are a match. During model evaluation, it was observed that model has a lot of advantages such as it has great precision of calculation, requires less time to calculate results and has minimum error possibility.Practical implicationsFinal result of digitalization of aircraft performance nomograms is software production. The usage of this software can reduce flight planning and aircraft exploitation costs in several different manners. Airliners can produce such a software for those types of aircraft where there is no software provided from aircraft manufacturer.Originality/valueDigitalization of aircraft performance nomogram has never been analyzed before, although there is a possibility of this particular methodology implementation in a practical manner in aviation industry.