SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AIRPORT TERMINAL AREA TRAJECTORY DATA CLUSTERING FOR SELECTING EFFICIENT TERMINAL AREA PROCEDURES

摘要

Methods are provided for determining time and fuel efficient airport terminal area procedures for an aircraft. First, a series of departure clusters are generated for a departure airport based on standard instrument departure (SID) procedures. The time and fuel characteristics of the departure clusters are categorized by departure time. Next, a series of destination clusters is generated for a destination airport based on approach procedures and standard terminal arrival (STAR) procedures. The time and fuel characteristics of the destination clusters are categorized by arrival time. The clusters are stored in an electronic database and during planning a flight plan of the aircraft. Once retrieved, terminal area procedures for the flight plan of the aircraft are selected based upon weighted values assigned to the time and fuel characteristics of the departure clusters for a departure airport and the destination clusters for a destination airport.