Prototype Implementation and Concept Validation of a 4-D Trajectory Fuel Burn Model Application

As new technologies are implemented to enhance the National Airspace System it is important to consider their impact on the environment and on the cost of operations. One of the major considerations for both is the amount of fuel consumed by aircraft. This paper describes a unique methodology that can be used to estimate the total fuel consumed by aircraft based on their 4-D trajectories and the weather through which they flew. This methodology is based on the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation (EUROCONTROL) BADA (Base of Aircraft Data) fuel burn model. The paper then describes how the BADA fuel burn model and weather data provided by the National Weather Service were implemented in a prototype application and how this prototype was validated using actual data recorded during a flight for a specific aircraft. The paper concludes with a summary that includes suggestions for improvements that should be incorporated when implementing the production version of the application.