Method of adapting a segment of an aircraft trajectory with constant ground gradient segment according to at least one performance criterion

Abstract

A method for adapting an aircraft constant-gradient descent segment comprises: an acquisition step in which state variables characterizing the aircraft, environment variables characterizing the environment thereof and path variables characterizing the predicted path thereof at one of the initial and final points of the segment are acquired; a calculation step whereby a limit ground gradient for at least one performance criterion is calculated from the state variables, environment variables and path variables; a validity verification step checking the validity of the path initially predicted against the most restrictive limit ground gradient; and when the path initially predicted is not valid: a feasibility verification step checking the feasibility of a command to modify at least one state variable; if feasibility is verified, a prediction of executing the command; otherwise, a prediction of modifying one of the initial and final points of the segment with respect to constraints of the flight plan.