Software Determines Optimum Climb, Cruise, Descent Times To Reduce Emissions

Cessna announced the introduction of GreenTrak Flight Planning software this week. The new flight planning program for current production Citation operators optimizes a flight profile not only for time and cost, but also for the lowest carbon footprint as well.

GreenTrak is a proprietary system, the first offered by a general aviation manufacturer that uses a process known as cost indexing to minimize total trip cost by balancing the costs of direct operation, fuel burn and carbon emissions. Cessna plans to release GreenTrak as an upgrade option to its CESNAV program in 2010 for all current production Citations.

"Finally, we have a simple, easy-to-use program to optimize the performance of a Citation, taking into account direct operating costs, to reduce emissions and lower fuel costs anywhere from 8 to 16 percent, depending on the specific aircraft and mission," said Mark Paolucci, Cessna senior vice president, Customer Service. "GreenTrak gives operators a tool to lower the cost of operation by tailoring mission speeds for climb, cruise and descent which results in the lowest total trip cost."

GreenTrak will optimize business jet operations for proposed regulatory programs such as "cap and trade" and for Europe's planned Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). Cessna already provides Citation operators annual emissions estimates and application support for ETS. 

"Our system uses a principle similar to cost indexing programs used by many airlines, but is unique to general aviation operations," Paolucci said. "Worldwide aviation operations account for only 3 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions, and general aviation accounts for a fraction of that, but we intend to continue to lower it even more through programs like GreenTrak."

In technical terms, GreenTrak is a method of determining the optimum climb, cruise and descent speed schedules for a given ratio of cost of time (linked to direct operating costs) and to the cost of fuel using the aircraft's gross weight, altitude, wind speed, direction and temperature - even the company's cost structure. The resulting flight plan will result in the lowest total trip cost in terms of fuel consumed and carbon emitted.

The program can be run on the crew's electronic flight bag for in-flight adjustments as circumstances demand.

"Cessna and other OEMs will continue to work with engine suppliers to develop more efficient engines, and we will continue to develop even more aerodynamic airframes, but GreenTrak is an immediate solution for lowering operating costs and emissions," Paolucci said. "We know our customers are counting on their aircraft to help them grow their business - to help the global economy rebound - and GreenTrak will support them across the operational spectrum."

FMI: www.cessna.com