Modeling of aircraft performance parameters with metaheuristic methods to achieve specific excess power contours using energy maneuverability method

Abstract

The energy method, which deals with the total energy of the aircraft (sum of potential energy and kinetic energy), is frequently used in the climb analysis of high performance aircraft. Within the scope of this study, by using this energy approach; a new method is presented to obtain specific excess power contours (Ps), which show the performance limits of the aircraft, present the altitude and speed combinations at which they can fly at different specific excess powers, and help determine the trajectory corresponding to the minimum time to climb without the need for any mathematical operation. In the method presented for the B737-800 aircraft; aircraft performance model consisting of aerodynamic model, thrust, and fuel flow rate models was created and Ps contours implementing the energy maneuverability method were obtained by using this model. The data used in the study are real thrust and flight data record (FDR) data. For the models, the cuckoo search algorithm (CSA) method, which is relatively new but has proven itself in many challenging optimization problems, is used. Particle swarm optimization (PSO), a different metaheuristic method, was used to validate CSA models. In all of the optimization processes made using the Matlab program, very accurate results were accomplished with both metaheuristic methods.