Real-time optimization of short-term flight profiles to control time of arrival

Abstract

The main purpose of this paper is to provide intelligent decision support for air traffic control automation systems through precise control of aircraft arrival time and flight profiles. Updated flight status data and scheduled time of arrival (STA) are used to optimize flight profiles dynamically and continuously adjust the error in the aircraft's arrival time to achieve four-dimensional trajectory guidance in real time. First, the previously determined trip distance is evenly divided into multiple segments, and then a fuel-consumption model is developed for each distance segment. Finally, the calibrated air-speed acceleration in each segment is optimized dynamically based on a genetic algorithm to achieve flight profile optimization and precisely control the arrival time of the aircraft. A case study shows that the algorithm converges quickly, control the arrival-time error and provide help for a new generation of control automation systems.