Method for flying an aircraft along a flight path
A method of flying an aircraft, where the aircraft has an associated performance envelope, along a flight path based determining an altitude profile for a cruise-climb along the flight path based on the performance envelope of the aircraft and flying the aircraft along the flight path to approximate the altitude profile.
1. A method of flying an aircraft, having an associated performance envelope, along a flight path, the method comprising:
determining, by a processor, a theoretical altitude profile for a cruise-climb along the flight path based on the performance envelope of the aircraft;
determining, by a processor, legal flight levels along the flight path; and
flying the aircraft along the flight path in a stepwise manner between the legal flight levels to approximate the theoretical altitude profile for the cruise-climb subject to at least one constraint in stepping between the legal flight levels.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the performance envelope comprises a constant thrust level for the aircraft.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the theoretical altitude profile for the cruise-climb comprises the altitude of the aircraft along the flight path while flying the aircraft at the constant thrust level.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining a descent profile along the flight path.
5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising determining an intersection of the theoretical altitude profile for the cruise-climb and the descent profile.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the flying the aircraft along the flight path in a stepwise manner is ceased based on the determined intersection.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one constraint comprises flying at flight levels below the theoretical altitude profile for the cruise-climb along the flight path.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein the at least one constraint further comprises flying at least a predetermined distance along a flight level.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein the predetermined distance is 50 miles.
10. The method of claim 8 wherein the at least one constraint further comprises avoiding a hazard on the flight path.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein the at least one constraint further comprises flying at a highest legal flight level.
12. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one constraint comprises flying at least a predetermined distance along a flight level.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein the predetermined distance is 50 miles.
14. The method of claim 12 wherein the at least one constraint comprises avoiding a hazard on the flight path.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein the at least one constraint further comprises flying at a highest legal flight level.