Description of the computations and pilot procedures for planning fuel-conservative descents with a small programmable calculator

Technical Report · Sun May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1983

OSTI ID:5619259

Vicroy, D D; Knox, C E

A simplified flight management descent algorithm was developed and programmed on a small programmable calculator. It was designed to aid the pilot in planning and executing a fuel conservative descent to arrive at a metering fix at a time designated by the air traffic control system. The algorithm may also be used for planning fuel conservative descents when time is not a consideration. The descent path was calculated for a constant Mach/airspeed schedule from linear approximations of airplane performance with considerations given for gross weight, wind, and nonstandard temperature effects. The flight management descent algorithm and the vertical performance modeling required for the DC-10 airplane is described.

• Research Organization: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Hampton, VA (USA). Langley Research Center
• OSTI ID: 5619259
• Report Number(s): N-8325707; NASA-TM-85642
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320201* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Transportation-- Air & Aerospace
AERODYNAMICS
AIRCRAFT
CALCULATORS
COMPUTERS
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
FLIGHT TESTING
FLUID MECHANICS
FUEL CONSUMPTION
MACH NUMBER
MECHANICS
TESTING
VELOCITY