Flight trajectories optimization under the influence of winds using genetic algorithms

Abstract

The current Flight Management System (FMS), CMA-9000, from CMC Electronics – Esterline, does not include a cruise optimization. In the presence of winds, the aircraft fuel consumption is highly affected. If the aircraft experiments “head winds”, the consumption will increase, and the consumption will decrease in the case of “tail winds”. The cruise phase is analyzed using genetic algorithms to obtain the maximal optimization possible in the least calculation time. In this article, an algorithm will be defined, that will be capable of selecting an alternative trajectory to take advantage of “tail winds” in the flight path, and to avoid as much as possible the presence of “head winds”, to reduce fuel burn.