Cost optimization of flight profiles and tracks for a regional jet

No Thumbnail Available

URL

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Helsinki University of Technology | Diplomityö
Checking the digitized thesis and permission for publishing
Instructions for the author

Authors

Date

2006

Department

Konetekniikan osasto

Major/Subject

Lentotekniikka

Mcode

Kul-34

Degree programme

Language

en

Pages

132 s. + liitt. 15

Series

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to determine cost-optimized flight procedures for a commuter jet, ERJ 145 LU. The aim was to provide the operator, Finnish Commuter Airlines Oy, for whom this investigation was done, with documentation to improve cost efficiency in their ERJ 145 LU flight operations. Knowledge of company cost structure and cost drivers is of significant value in determining the airline strategy in cost optimization. For this purpose, this thesis reviews operating costs, cost drivers and cost reduction potential. In the performance calculations, Embraer performance programs were used. Validation of the programs was done as comparison between program performance data and actual aircraft performance. Actual aircraft performance data was obtained through performance monitoring on flights. The cost optimization of flight procedures was divided into vertical and lateral flight path optimization. First, the vertical flight path was studied by dividing the flight profile into climb, cruise and descent segments. Climb and descent schedules were evaluated for the most cost-efficient procedure in different conditions. In cruise stage, consideration was given to optimum flight altitude considering wind, as well as economic cruise speed. By combining the flight profile segments, route-specific flight profile recommendations could be presented to enable the operator to choose the most cost-efficient flight profile for different optimization purposes. Lateral, or track, optimization was performed for flight planning purposes. Tracks between Helsinki and Stuttgart were examined in order to define conditions when the standard route track should be changed due to wind conditions. The results of track optimization may initiate dynamic flight planning, and this part of the investigation can easily be expanded to concern other destinations in Central Europe. Other aspects affecting fuel consumption, e.g. excessive weight, atmospheric conditions and center of gravity, are briefly reviewed in this study.

Description

Supervisor

Hoffren, Jaakko

Thesis advisor

Laine, Lauri

Keywords

Other note

Citation

Permanent link to this item

https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:aalto-2020120552814

Collections

[dipl] Teknillinen korkeakoulu / TKK