Optimal Control-Based Altitude Profile Envelope for Emergency Landing

An algorithm is introduced to determine an energy optimal lateral track and safe altitude profile envelopes for emergency landings with no thrust available. The results are achieved by introducing and consecutively solving two optimal control problems. The first problem is defined as finding the trajectory that allows for a maximum flight time in full configuration. This implies an energy optimal vertical track, as well as a not-to-be-below vertical profile. Reusing the lateral track, a second problem is solved to determine the latest possible switch in configurations. This problem is subject to a reduced dynamic aircraft model, which represents the longitudinalmotion of the aircraft, whereas the lateral motion can be expressed as a set of algebraic equations. To facilitate the evaluation of these equations, the independent variable is transformed fromthe time to a flight path parameter, representing the horizontal distance covered by the aircraft. The algorithm is validated by implementing a case study.     «

An algorithm is introduced to determine an energy optimal lateral track and safe altitude profile envelopes for emergency landings with no thrust available. The results are achieved by introducing and consecutively solving two optimal control problems. The first problem is defined as finding the trajectory that allows for a maximum flight time in full configuration. This implies an energy optimal vertical track, as well as a not-to-be-below vertical profile. Reusing the lateral track, a second p...     »