Aircraft performance modeling

In this study, an aircraft performance model which consists of a different thrust model and an aerodynamic model compared to the existing ones is established to be used in especially air traffic management decision support systems and simulation tools for trajectory prediction. This model includes a thrust model which considers the engine thrust dependency with respect to Mach number and altitude simultaneously and an aerodynamic model which takes into account the effects of compressibility, profile camber and compressible drag rise above critical Mach number. The derived aeropropulsive model enables the trajectory prediction of an aircraft by using its flight manual data. As an optimization method, genetic algorithms is selected in the development of the regression model. It is seen that the aircraft performance model formed to predict the climb trajectory also gives satisfactory results in the descent trajectory prediction. Furthermore, the validation of model methodology is achieved by the application of the model to the climb and descent trajectory data of a different aircraft. Comparing time to climb and descent data derived from the model with flight manual data, error analysis is performed and the obtained results are discussed.