In-flight intelligent performance management

This thesis investigates possible uses of a flight expert system (FLES) for in-flight performance management of commercial transport aircraft.

Advanced systems of 1995 commercial transports have been considered, together with the components and sensors of commercial transport internal systems. Conferences have been held with today's airline pilots to assess current and future flight deck needs in terms of FLES capability.

It has been determined that pilot workload could be alleviated by FLES functioning as a Performance Flight Engineer. Airline takeoff accidents could be significantly reduced by a FLES early detection and diagnosis of inadequate takeoff acceleration. Flight safety of impaired aircraft could be enhanced by a FLES assessment of performance penalties, and optimization of flight performance parameters.