LNAS - A PILOT ASSISTANCE SYSTEM FOR ENERGY-OPTIMAL APPROACHES USING EXISTING AIRCRAFT-INFRASTRUCTURE

Abstract

In order to assist pilots to realize low-noise and more efficient approaches, the German Aerospace Center (DLR) has developed the assistance system LNAS (Low Noise Augmentation System). It is a software solution using flight data provided by a common interface aboard a passenger aircraft. Recommendations are visualized on the Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) in the cockpit by an intuitive energy-based Vertical Situation Display (VSD) which also indicates the optimal points in time to perform the different actions like setting of speeds, flaps, landing gear and if necessary speed brakes. During approach a continuous correction is carried out to provide the energy-optimal profile at any time, even if the predicted approach changes e.g. due to a variation of ground wind conditions.