System and method for optimizing cruise altitudes for groups of aircraft

• Main Authors: MARISSA K SINGLETON, DIAN G ALYEA, KENNETH S CHUN, STEVE KALBAUGH, VU P BUI, ALAN E BRUCE
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 06.05.2009
• Subjects: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; CONTROLLING; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS ORELEMENTS; PHYSICS; REGULATING; SIGNALLING; SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES; TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS

System and method for optimizing cruise altitudes for multiple aircraft. The invention may be used for optimizing cruise altitudes of multiple aircraft on multiple flight paths and/or system capacity by an operator and/or an air navigation service provider. According to exemplary embodiments, a first set of optimum initial cruise altitudes are established for a plurality of aircraft. Weather conditions at the first set of optimum initial cruise altitudes are accounted for to establish a second set of optimum initial cruise altitudes-. Direction of flight at the second set of optimum initial cruise altitudes is accounted for to establish a third set of optimum initial cruise altitudes. Any conflicts between aircraft at the third set of optimum initial cruise altitudes are detected. When a conflict is detected, the conflict is resolved to establish a fourth set of optimum initial cruise altitudes.