The Continuous Descent Arrival, also referred to as the Continuous Descent Approach, has proven, through both simulation and flight demonstration tests, to be highly advantageous over conventional “dive-and-drive” arrival and approach procedures. These advantages provide ample motivation for research efforts to further develop CDA for implementation in low-density through high-density traffic. The environmental and economic benefits of CDA were demonstrated by PARTNER researchers in flight tests at Louisville International Airport in 2002 and 2004. From the environmental perspective, there are significant reductions in noise (due to reductions in thrust and a higher average altitude) and emissions (due to reductions in thrust and a higher average speed). From the economic viewpoint, there are significant fuel and flight time savings (due to reductions in thrust and a higher average speed) as well as the potential to meet or exceed current runway throughput without the need to vector aircraft.
Prototype tools and protocols for continuous descent arrival sequencing and spacing, leading to quieter and more fuel efficient arrivals.
Georgia Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
John-Paul Clarke, Associate Professor, School of Aerospace Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, john-paul.clarke@ae.gatech.edu
Sandy Liu sandy.liu@faa.gov
Project 4 poster Download (.pdf 1.8MB)
Development, design, and flight test evaluation of a continuous descent approach procedure for nighttime operation at Louisville International Airport. John-Paul Clarke, et al. January 9, 2006. (Report No. PARTNER-COE-2005-02)
Download (.pdf 2.9M)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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