Conceptual design of a pilot assistance system for customised noise abatement departure procedures

Abstract

The departure of an aircraft is commonly the flight phase with the highest thrust level in a flight, which leads to considerable noise levels on the ground. The departure procedures are characterised by the thrust reduction altitude, the acceleration altitude, and the control of airspeed and aircraft configuration within each take-off segment. Thrust reduction and acceleration altitudes are typically constant and are not adjusted to particular operational key parameters (e.g., take-off mass, reduced take-off thrust) or weather conditions. However, the parameters differ between individual flights and affect flight performance as well as the noise levels on the ground. This paper presents the conceptual design of a pilot assistance system which aims to reduce the noise on the ground by identifying a custom thrust reduction and acceleration altitude for existing noise abatement departure procedures. The pilot assistance system is based on an aircraft simulation model and a noise simulation and is aimed to be utilised during pre-flight planning on ground. A key part of the noise evaluation is that the local population distribution around the airport is considered. An overview of the ongoing research at the German Aerospace Center is provided. The conceptual design and preliminary results are presented and discussed using an exemplary take-off for three wind conditions.