Aircraft trajectory optimization with application to a Lockheed L1011-100

Two forms of optimal dynamic interpolation are discussed. Two cost functions are considered. The first cost function penalizes acceleration; the second penalizes both acceleration and velocity excursion. Both have been applied to the L1011-100 vertical guidance problem, and results are presented. A flight management system's (FMS) vertical flight plan is used to obtain way points which serve as inputs to the dynamic interpolation algorithm. The algorithm produces reference commands which are issued to a certified FAA L1011-100 model and an autopilot. The resulting dynamic behavior is compared to the results obtained from reference commands produced by an L1011-like commercial aircraft's FMS model. Cubic spline solutions for the two different dynamic interpolation cost functional minimization problems are presented.<
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