Java framework for parametric aircraft design – ground performance

Purpose This paper aims to introduce the take-off and landing performance analysis modules of the software library named Java toolchain of Programs for Aircraft Design (JPAD), dedicated to the aircraft preliminary design. An overview of JPAD is also presented. Design/methodology/approach The calculation of the take-off and landing distances has been implemented using a simulation-based approach. This expects to solve an appropriate set of ordinary differential equations, which describes the aircraft equations of motion during all the take-off and landing phases. Tests upon two aircraft models (ATR72 and B747-100B) have been performed to compare the obtained output with the performance data retrieved from the related flight manuals. Findings The tool developed has proven to be very reliable and versatile, as it performs the calculation of the required performance with almost no computational effort and with a good accuracy, providing a less than the 5 per cent difference with respect to the statistical trend and a difference from the flight manual or public brochure data around 10 per cent. Originality/value The use of a simulation-based approach to have a more accurate estimation of the ground performance with respect to classic semi-empirical equations. Although performing the simulation of the aircraft motion, the approach shown is very time-saving and can be easily implemented in an optimization cycle.