Optimization of Airplane Landing in Crosswind Conditions for Minimum Tire Wear

Abstract

Being one of the most critical phases of a flight, landing deserves specific attention, especially when the aircraft is subject to external disturbances such as wind. A notable concern associated with touchdown events, especially when crosswind is present, is tire wear. This work is aimed first at developing a nonlinear flight simulator able to handle the entire landing maneuver in non-null wind conditions, considering the airborne phase, the ground run, and the transition between them. Then, the simulator is included in an optimal process to define the landing technique associated with the minimum tire wear. The methodology is tested in a simulation environment with a realistic model of a reference aircraft, showing that a significant reduction in tire wear can be obtained by optimizing the sideslip angle at touchdown and the lateral–directional controls after the airplane touches the runway with both legs of the main landing gear. The amount of the reduction is highly variable and depends on the landing conditions, e.g., the velocity and glide path angle. It may range from some percentage points up to 45%.