Optimal Mission Analysis Accounting for Engine Aging and Emissions

Abstract

This paper describes an aircraft mission analysis procedure, comprising a flight simulation module, an engine model and an optimization method. The incorporation of engine deterioration modeling extends this procedure’s ability to estimate the on board performance of a given engine as it ages through time and use. Additionally, in order to investigate the environmental impact, pollutant emissions semi-empirical correlations have been introduced, after being adapted to available emissions data. The proposed procedure allows the optimization of a flight scenario for a variety of aircrafts, missions, and engine condition combinations, using an optimization method. The values of mission profile characteristics (e.g. cruise, altitude, and speed) that provide the optimum overall performance, regarding fuel conservation, time related costs, or pollutants production, are studied.