Fuel Planning Strategies Considering Operational Uncertainties of Aerodynamic Formation Flight

The operational concept of aerodynamic formation flight, also referred to as aircraft wake-surfing for efficiency (AWSE), has high potential in terms fuel savings and climate impact mitigation. In order implement this concept, many technological challenges have be coped with. As the consumption during a mission strongly depends on successful execution AWSE, existing uncertainties regarding flight planning increase. While conservative ensures follower complete even case failure, it might result amounts excess and, therefore, additional consumption. study, issue is addressed by adaptation procedures requirements AWSE focusing particular, considered from perspective designated two-aircraft formation. This trade-off modeled an n-action two-event decision-making problem. Each possible actions represented combination routing corresponding diversion airport, taking atmospheric effects (e.g., wind) into account determine resulting amount trip fuel. two events under consideration are total failure contrast success. Based scenario with set double origin destination pairs characterizing formations representative weather patterns North Atlantic region, each action analyzed regard expected expense. assumed success probabilities, we find that proposed method holds reduce follower’s 4.8% its monetary expenses 1.2% compared conventional planning. gain profit margin applying method, required probability shown vary between 92% 96%, depending price.