New Methodology for Aircraft Performance Model Identification for Flight Management System Applications

Abstract

This paper presents the validation results of a study conducted at the Laboratory of Applied Research in Actives Controls, Avionics, and Aeroservoelasticity to develop a modeling technique for determining a performance model of a particular aircraft using a limited amount of data. This technique was applied to the well-known business jet aircraft, Cessna Citation X. All the reference data used to design the model were generated using an in-house in-flight performance program. These data were subsequently combined with simplified flight mechanics equations in order to estimate various performance and aero-propulsive characteristics of the aircraft. An original identification algorithm was next developed in order to determine a mathematical model describing the fuel flow, as well as the aircraft thrust and drag aerodynamic coefficients. Validation of the study was accomplished by comparing trajectory data predicted by the model with trajectory data measured with a research aircraft flight simulator (RAFS) of the Cessna Citation X. The results show a very good agreement for the flight time, the ground distance traveled, and fuel consumption.