The applicability of Zermelo's equation to indirect and direct optimization of commercial aircraft flights

Abstract

This paper focuses on the applicability of Zermelo's equation within the context of 3D commercial aircraft trajectory optimization problems. The associated optimal control problem includes two singular controls, specifically aerodynamic path angle and throttle setting, and one regular control, specifically heading angle. Using Pontryagin's maximum principle and the direct adjoining method, we show that the optimal heading angle is defined by Zermelo's equation. The significance of the presented analysis is that Zermelo's equation holds for 3D commercial aircraft flights, even in the presence of standard state-inequality constraints and a more general objective function. With the help of Zermelo's equation, the control problem is initially analyzed for a 3D time-optimal climb-phase scenario, which is solved by an indirect approach. Through the analysis of the switching function, we demonstrate the dependency of the optimal aerodynamic path angle on the optimal heading angle. Next, by tackling a 3D time-fuel-optimal free-routing flight, solved by a direct approach, we show that Zermelo's equation can help reduce the overall dimension of the associated nonlinear programming. To successfully handle the initial guess in both indirect and direct problems, it is proposed a diminutive nonlinear programming technique as a fast and robust initializer. This simple-yet-effective initializer provides sufficient information about the optimal controls and state dynamics required for initializing a direct optimization, as well as the optimal switching times and co-states required for initializing an indirect optimization.