Fuel and Carbon Dioxide Emission Assessment for a Curved Approach Procedure

Abstract

In this study, the effects of instrument approach procedures and flight path angles on fuel consumption and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions were investigated using the actual descent data from the data recording systems of 4183 flights. A required navigation performance (RNP) procedure incorporating radius-to-fix (RF) legs, known as RNP Authorization Required (AR) or Special Aircraft and Aircrew Authorization Required procedures, allows aircraft flexible shorter flight paths to fly around obstacles. RNP AR procedures could be one of the solutions used to reduce the environmental impact of flights. RNP AR procedures incorporating an RF leg until the final approach segment for Kahramanmaras Airport in Turkey were designed. An empirical fuel consumption model for descent was developed. Regarding the comparison between the baseline and a proposed trajectory, the results indicate a reduction of similar to 14 n mile in flight distance with a reduction of fuel and CO2 emissions up to 14% in favor of the proposed trajectory.