Aircraft Cruise-Dash Optimization Periodic versus Steady-State Solutions

摘要

This paper conducts a comparative study of periodic and steady-state solutions for aircraft cruise-dash optimization. The solutions are in the point-mass model. The cost functional is an average weighted sum of the fuel used and the time taken. Previous work on cruise has determined that the steady-state solution fails a Jacobi-type test, conducted in frequency domain. Periodic solutions have been obtained for the same problem that use less fuel. The periodic solutions have been shown to be locally optimal. Similar analysis is carried out in the current effort for the cruise-dash problems that have non-zero weights on the time taken. As the weight on the time is increased, the difference in the costs become less and less. For all values for the weight on the time above a certain value, the steady-state solutions are locally optimal. The structure of the periodic solutions become intricate. The periodic solutions seem to 'approach' the steady-state solution as the weight on time is increased. Aerodynamics, flight path optimization. (JES)