Optimization of the conceptual design and mission profiles of short-haul aircraft

This paper outlines a method of sizing new short-haul commuter aircraft by conducting a flight profile optimization procedure in parallel with the optimization of the major design parameters. Minimum-fuel, minimum-cost, or minimum-mass aircraft can be designed for a given mission, which would be optimally flown. The method is capable of handling both equality and inequality constraints which may relate to either design boundaries or operational flight restrictions. Results of some case studies are presented. It is found that the impact of operational limitations, particularly restrictions in the rate of descent, can have a significant effect on the value of the objective function. The penalty may be as large as that caused by design requirements such as minimum field performance.