Numerical Simulation of Real-Time Trajectory Optimization for Helicopter Noise Abatement

Abstract

This study was an attempt to obtain optimal landing approaches for helicopters to reduce ground noise impact. Simulations and real flight tests in our previous study confirmed that flights along pre-calculated optimal trajectories resulted in lower noise levels than flights along conventional approach paths. However, some experiments did not show the expected optimization effects because of unforeseen disturbances. This paper therefore improves the algorithms in order to realize practical real-time optimization, which can involve external disturbances. To validate the effect of the new method, various computer simulations were conducted under real flight experimental scenarios. The obtained optimal solutions were characterized by steep flight path angles, which can avoid the generation of loud noise, the avoidance of noise sensitive points, and short flight times. These are different from conventional landing approaches. The optimal trajectories resulted in noise reduction on the ground, which shows the effectiveness and potential of the proposed real-time trajectory optimization method.