The turbo fan aircraft minimum cost climb technique

Abstract

PurposeThe 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/approachLogarithmic 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.FindingsProposed 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 implicationsUse of defined climb law and optimal TOC will minimize cost of en route flight profile.Originality/valueAt 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.