Simulations validate concept to enable idle-thrust approaches to busy airports

German aerospace centre tests dynamic recalculation of vertical profiles in response to tactical speed changes.
German researchers are testing a system which recalculates vertical flight profiles in response to tactical speed instructions from air traffic control, enabling use of idle-thrust approaches at busy airports.

High-density airspace in the vicinity of hubs can lead to short-notice demands to increase or decrease speed during approach sequencing.

This can conflict with the use of idle thrust to maintain a continuous descent approach with minimum fuel consumption.

But German aerospace research centre DLR has been trialling a dynamic management system which recalculates the profile in response to tactical speed instructions.

“This allows an aircraft to continue its descent with idle thrust for as long as possible, even under changing conditions,” it states.

The concept, known as DYN-MARS, has been funded by the Single European Sky’s technological pillar SESAR and other air navigation interests, to explore more energy-efficient approaches to busy airports.

Nearly 1,000 simulated approaches to seven airports – flown by more than 70 pilots – have been conducted to test the concept under realistic conditions.

“The trials show that this principle can also be implemented in complex, busy airport approach areas,” says DYN-MARS project co-ordinator Fethi Abdelmoula.

As part of the project the team tested implementation of route changes – such as expected short-cuts – via direct controller-pilot datalink uploads to the flight-management system.

“Digital route transmission improves the predictability of the approach for both the cockpit and air traffic control,” Abdelmoula says.

“It reduces manual inputs and creates an important prerequisite for more automated and efficient approach procedures.”

The route is loaded as a secondary flight plan and activated by the crew once clearance is granted.

“This means the flight-management system knows the expected remaining flight path earlier and can therefore adjust the descent profile more precisely,” says DLR.

Swiss International Air Lines, along with Thales, Eurocontrol, UK air navigation service NATS, and Dutch aerospace centre NLR, was among the project partners.

Validated DYN-MARS technologies will be further developed through a subsequent project, DYN-MAX, which will look to include optimised aircraft departure procedures.

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