Measuring the Efficiency of Commonality Implementation: Application to Commercial Aircraft Cockpits

Increasing commonality across their models allows commercial aircraft manufacturers to reduce the product development cycle time and tailor their models to their customers’ needs. The cockpit is an area where commonality is thought to be particularly desirable, since it also simplifies the pilots training process for the airline companies. However, no set of metrics is currently able to measure the efficiency of commonality application at this level from a total lifecycle standpoint. In this paper, we propose a set of metrics adapted to large commercial aircraft and taking into account the main parts of the product lifecycle. The concept of lead time is central in our measurement of commonality, as it strongly influences the value of the aircraft for all primary stakeholders. We examine the extent to which these metrics are independent from aircraft particularities (such as physical dimensions). We indicate their limitations and what additional research should be performed to obtain a set of metrics able to measure the efficiency of commonality implementation for the whole aircraft. We use the example of two competing medium-haul aircraft families to test our set of metrics. We evaluate the efficiency of commonality according to our metrics and we compare with field results obtained from the manufacturers’ studies and from the results of interviews of airlines pilots. We show how our se

FLIGHT RISK MANAGEMENT AND CREW RESERVE OPTIMIZATION

There are two key concerns in the development process of aviation. One is safety, and the other is cost. An airline running with high safety and low cost must be the most competitive one in the market. This work investigates two research efforts respectively relevant to these two concerns. When building support of a real time Flight Risk Assessment and Mitigation System (FRAMS), a sequential multi-stage approach is developed. The whole risk management process is considered in order to improve the safety of each flight by integrating AHP and FTA technique to describe the framework of all levels of risks through risk score. Unlike traditional fault tree analysis, severity level, time level and synergy effect are taken into account when calculating the risk score for each flight. A risk tree is designed for risk data with flat shape structure and a time sensitive optimization model is developed to support decision making of how to mitigate risk with as little cost as possible. A case study is solved in reasonable time to approve that the model is practical for the real time system. On the other hand, an intense competitive environment makes cost controlling more and more important for airlines. An integrated approach is developed for improving the efficiency of reserve crew scheduling which can contribute to decrease cost. Unlike the other technique, this approach integrates the demand forecasting, reserve pattern generation and optimization. A reserve forecasting tool is developed based on a large data base. The expected value of each type of dropped trip is the output of this tool based on the predicted dropping rate and the total scheduled trips. The rounding step in current applied methods is avoided to keep as much information as possible. The forecasting stage is extended to the optimization stage through the input of these expected values. A novel optimization model with column generation algorithm is developed to generate patterns to cover these expected level reserve demands with minimization to the total cost. The many-to-many covering mode makes the model avoid the influence of forecasting errors caused by high uncertainty as much as possible

Flight evaluation of two-segment approaches using area navigation guidance equipment

A two-segment noise abatement approach procedure for use on DC-8-61 aircraft in air carrier service was developed and evaluated. The approach profile and procedures were developed in a flight simulator. Full guidance is provided throughout the approach by a Collins Radio Company three-dimensional area navigation (RNAV) system which was modified to provide the two-segment approach capabilities. Modifications to the basic RNAV software included safety protection logic considered necessary for an operationally acceptable two-segment system. With an aircraft out of revenue service, the system was refined and extensively flight tested, and the profile and procedures were evaluated by representatives of the airlines, airframe manufacturers, the Air Line Pilots Association, and the Federal Aviation Adminstration. The system was determined to be safe and operationally acceptable. It was then placed into scheduled airline service for an evaluation during which 180 approaches were flown by 48 airline pilots. The approach was determined to be compatible with the airline operational environment, although operation of the RNAV system in the existing terminal area air traffic control environment was difficult

Simulation Analysis of the Effects of Performance-Based Navigation on Fuel and Block Time Efficiency

The commercial aviation industry has been grown steadily in the past decade in terms of the number of flights operated and passengers traveled. The Federal Aviation Administration has introduced several technologies and initiatives under the NextGen Program. Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) is one such technology that is aimed at improving the efficiency of the National Airspace System which will improve system capacity and reduce delays. The airlines operate with restrained resources and investments into reducing fuel costs and flight times will directly or indirectly impact profit margins. PBN procedures and routes can help airlines reduce block times as flights will be able to fly more direct routes and utilize more efficient procedures in the terminal airspace. The study is aimed at analyzing the effect of PBN on fuel and block time efficiency for a flight. The study utilized a quantitative research method and utilized simulations of 20 flights on 10 different city-pairs. The 10 city-pairs were selected to sample routes of different distances. 10 flights were simulated utilizing the lowest form of PBN capability and without Global Positioning System (GPS) procedures and the other 10 flights utilized the highest PBN capability and GPS procedures. A comparative analysis was carried out with the data retrieved from the simulations for the 10 city-pairs. The results indicated that flight time could be reduced by an average of 7.3% by utilizing enhanced PBN procedures and fuel usage could be reduced by an average of 2.3%. The benefits offered by PBN improved with an increase in route distances due to larger fuel and time savings

Autonomous Flight Rules Concept: User Implementation Costs and Strategies

The costs to implement Autonomous Flight Rules (AFR) were examined for estimates in acquisition, installation, training and operations. The user categories were airlines, fractional operators, general aviation and unmanned aircraft systems. Transition strategies to minimize costs while maximizing operational benefits were also analyzed. The primary cost category was found to be the avionics acquisition. Cost ranges for AFR equipment were given to reflect the uncertainty of the certification level for the equipment and the extent of existing compatible avionics in the aircraft to be modified

Fuel Benefit from Optimal Trajectory Assignment on the North Atlantic Tracks

The North Atlantic Tracks represent one of the highest density international traffic regions in the world. Due to the lack of high-resolution radar coverage over this region, the tracks are subject to more restrictive operational constraints than flights over the continental U.S. Recent initiatives to increase surveillance over the North Atlantic has motivated studies on the total benefit potential for increased surveillance over the tracks. One of the benefits of increased surveillance is increased accessibility of optimal altitude and speed operations over the track system. For a sample of 4033 flights over 12 days from 2014-2015, a fuel burn analysis was performed that calculates the fuel burn from optimal altitude, optimal speed and optimal track trajectories over the North Atlantic Tracks. These results were compared with calculated as-flown fuel burn in order to determine the benefit potential from optimal trajectories. Operation at optimal altitude and speed increased this benefit to 2.83% reduction potential in average fuel burn. Operation at optimal altitude alone, however, reduces the benefit potential to 1.24% reduction in average fuel burn. Optimal track assignment allows for a 3.20% reduction in average fuel burn. For the sample data, 45.1% of flights were unable to access their optimal altitude and speed due to separation requirements. Reduced separation up to 5 nautical miles can decrease the number of conflicts to 14.0%. Reducing the separation requirements both longitudinally and laterally can allow for increased accessibility of optimal altitudes, speeds and track configurations. Pilot decision support tools that increase awareness of aircraft fuel performance by integrating optimal altitude and speed configurations can also reduce aircraft fuel burn. The utility of such a tool is evaluated through a survey on pilot-decision making.This work was funded by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Office of Environment and Energy as a part of ASCENT Project 15 under Air Force Contract FA8721-05-C-0002. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the FAA or other ASCENT Sponsors

Proceedings of the Air Transportation Management Workshop

The Air Transportation Management (ATM) Workshop was held 31 Jan. - 1 Feb. 1995 at NASA Ames Research Center. The purpose of the workshop was to develop an initial understanding of user concerns and requirements for future ATM capabilities and to initiate discussions of alternative means and technologies for achieving more effective ATM capabilities. The topics for the sessions were as follows: viewpoints of future ATM capabilities, user requirements, lessons learned, and technologies for ATM. In addition, two panel sessions discussed priorities for ATM, and potential contributions of NASA to ATM. The proceedings contain transcriptions of all sessions

Identification of Dimensions of the Optimization of Fuel Consumption in Air Transport Industry: A Literature Review

The objective of this paper is to identify the parameters regarding the fuel consumption optimization in air transport industry. Today due to high oil prices, energy crises, boomed competition, and traffic growth, fuel consumption is becoming a critical aspect in aviation industry. Therefore in such a highly competitive environment optimization of fuel consumption is essential in the airline industry for the survival of an airline. This literature reviews the various journals, articles, conference papers, and thesis work etc. related to fuel consumption in aviation industry after the Arab oil embargo in 1973 to 2010. Literature review identifies the several parameters which effect the fuel consumption in airline. This paper also suggests the importance of research gaps and bridging of research gaps for the optimization of fuel consumption. Current research effort for the optimization of fuel consumption needs a holistic model for customized optimization of fuel consumption. For developing the holistic model the study identifies parameters which effect the fuel consumption in aviation industry. This work develops informational framework of optimization of fuel consumption. The evaluation of informational framework will be done in term of reliability and validity checking. The extracted information will further be subjected to factor analysis. This study would form an input for aviation sector to achieve optimal fuel consumption. Keywords:  Aviation industry, Fuel consumption, Optimizatio

Small transport aircraft technology. A report for the committee on commerce, science, and transportation, United States Senate

A preliminary assessment of the research and technology that NASA could undertake to improve small transport aircraft is presented. The advanced technologies currently under study for potential application to the small transport aircraft of the future are outlined. Background information on the commuter and shorthaul local service air carriers, the regulations pertaining to their aircraft and operations, and the overall airline system interface is included