Exploiting wind to optimize flight paths for greener commercial flight operations

Trajectory Based Operations (TBO) has been identified by ICAO as a key aviation evolution with significant developments in Next Gen Flight Management Systems (FMS) to communicate with ground based 4DT Air Traffic Management (ATM) system of the future. The Next generation ATM and FMS systems will include the capability of generating 4D trajectories to increase aircraft efficiency and reduce emissions. Natural resources, such as the wind, can be exploited to reduce the aircraft's fuel usage and travel time while improving its operational efficiency. These benefits are realized if trajectories are formulated to maximise the time in tailwind scenarios. The results presented here quantify the fuel and time savings of a typical Australasian route using a simulated wind field as an input to the optimization problem. Minimum fuel burn and emissions are achieved by minimising flight time at constant cruise speed. The attainable savings appeal to aircraft operators as they reduce operational cost. Optimization algorithms to formulate efficient flight trajectories are hence an essential tool in reducing aviation's carbon footprint. Future research will focus on the implementation of 4DT operations and associated logistics. Simulations of common commercial and international flight routes from departure to destination using 4DT intent negotiation and validation routines will allow for an accurate evaluation of the potential savings in fuel and reduction in emissions.