The turbo fan aircraft minimum cost climb technique

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to define minimum cost technique of turbo fan transport aircraft in the presence of dynamic change of aircraft performance. Results can be practical applicable in airlines for achieving minimal operation costs.

Design/methodology/approach

Logarithmic differential is applied for defining conditions in order to achieve optimal Mach number for minimal climb cost. This condition is solved numerically by using Newton‐Ramphson method, to obtain optimal Mach number distribution with altitude. Conclusion about optimal top of climb (TOC) is defined after analyses for different aircraft mass and cost indexes.

Findings

Proposed method of minimum cost climb resulting in potential savings up to 5 per cent compared to Aircraft Flight Manual climb law. Proposed method also made correction of climb law and optimal TOC under existence of aircraft performance degradation.

Practical implications

Use of defined climb law and optimal TOC will minimize cost of en route flight profile.

Originality/value

At present, there is no definition of climb technique for minimum cost of en route flight profile, under dynamic degradation of aircraft performance. Final results are standardized to become applicable and easy to use with modern and old type of flight management system.

Citation

Mirosavljević, P., Gvozdenović, S. and Čokorilo, O. (2009), "The turbo fan aircraft minimum cost climb technique", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 81 No. 4, pp. 334-342. https://doi.org/10.1108/00022660910967327