NSERC Engage Proposal: ipad Top of Descent App Development. Omer Majeed, P.Eng. Specific Range Solutions Ltd. May 4 th, 2014

Transcription

1 NSERC Engage Proposal: ipad Top of Descent App Development Omer Majeed, P.Eng. Specific Range Solutions Ltd. May 4 th, 2014

2 NSERC Engage Proposal: Objective Purpose of presentation to Carleton University s Faculty of Engineering and Design: To determine level of interest within the faculty to solve issues associated with the development of an aircraft Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) software application. Challenges involved in developing this specific EFB application require an inter-disciplinary approach involving expertise in: Aircraft performance; Software and user interface design; GPS receiver operation and signal quality/accuracy. Working prototype has been developed.

3 NSERC Engage Proposal: Problem Statement Most older and smaller regional aircraft (19 pax or less) not equipped to support an optimized descent when ATC permits. Challenge for the crews to accurately calculate the Top of Descent point as actual winds, planned track, and aircraft performance determine the optimum TOD point for minimum fuel burn. Application calculates the Top of Descent point using GPS, pilot input and embedded aircraft performance data. Will reduce the variance in the TOD point and reduce fuel burn assuming flight idle Continuous Decent Approach employed. Functional prototype for Beech 1900D installed on ipad mini, but further development and validation required. Estimated Technology Readiness Level (TRL) is 4.

4 ipad Top of Descent App: Cost & Emissions Benefits Fuel cost savings and GHG emission reductions based on following assumptions and analysis of actual Beechcraft 1900D flight data from Canadian regional operator: $1.50/L Jet A ($17.52/flight in savings); 50 flights/day; Estimate of 2.4% less fuel burn/flight (20.7 lb less fuel lb less CO 2 per flight) using a more optimized descent; Therefore: $320,000 in fuel savings and 1,1801,000 lb in CO 2 emission reductions estimated per annum. Engine life extension/maintenance cost savings estimated to be equivalent to fuel savings.

5 ipad Top of Descent App: Safety Benefits Per TCCA AC for Stabilized Constant Descent Angle (SCDA) approach characteristics conducive to increased safety: Inherently stable; Lighter workload during the descent from cruise flight level. Supports arrival at approach fix with correct energy state i.e. altitude and air speed.

6 ipad Top of Descent App: Prototype Pilot Interface Standalone & handheld solution that can support other EFB functionalities. GPS, pilot input & aircraft performance data used to calculate optimized TOD. Algorithm takes into account actual winds aloft & reported winds at arrival airport, wind effect significant. Low cost hardware: ipad mini EFB & Dual XGPS150A GPS receiver (TCCA Ops. Spec. required). Provides distance & time guidance (advisory information) to flight crew: Direct to approach fix. Pilot interface must be intuitive, readable and robust (input error checking). Real-time solution presented as distance & time to go. Real-time Own Plane Position.

7 NSERC Engage Proposal: Research Scope GPS Data Acquisition: Definition of minimum Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) and minimum accuracy. Geodetic altitude from GPS receiver vs. barometric and temperature corrected pressure altitude. Impact of windshield design (electrically heated vs. unheated) and receiver location in cockpit on signal quality. Wind Profile Definition: Development of algorithm to calculate the wind profile (direction and speed) as a function of altitude per wind vector at cruise altitude and wind vector at the arrival airport (METAR) data. Feasibility of including forecast upper wind data from Nav Canada to improve wind profile definition to be investigated. Pilot Interface Design: Development of the pilot (user) interface. Design requirements: legibility, ease of data input/selection, day/night operation, function in turbulence, etc. R&D Objective: Complete TRL 5 through 9 to support rapid product release.

8 NSERC Engage Proposal: ipad Top of Descent App Development Thank you for your time and attention. Questions?

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