When preparing for landing, pilots perform calculations to determine the optimal approach and landing procedure for their aircraft. These calculations typically factor in aircraft configuration (e.g. weight, wing area), current altitude, speed, distance from runway/airport. The purpose of this program is to generate a detailed procedure for approach and landing based on user-provided inputs. Alongside the procedural output will be a graph plotting altitude versus distance from runway. The program will account for various scenarios, including “too high”, “too far”, “too low”, and “too close” scenarios. For simplicity purposes, we will assume a straight-in approach with no wind and flat terrain. This program will use functions, inputs, outputs, if statements, loops, and plots - all taught in the ENES206 class.

When preparing for landing, pilots will perform calculations to determine the optimal approach and landing configuration. These calculations take into account multiple factors, including the aircraft’s wing area, landing weight, current altitude, speed, and distance from runway. Based on these inputs, the pilots determine the optimal approach speed, descent profile (or vertical speed), and glide slope to successfully land the airplane.

The goal of this project is to create a simple program that takes in aircraft configuration, current altitude, speed, and distance from the runway, and outputs an optimal approach speed, descent profile, and glide slope. The program will also display a graphical version of the calculated approach route for better understanding.

The program will handle multiple scenarios, including “too high”, “too far”, “too close”, and “too low”. For the scenarios “too high” and “too close”, the program will tell the user to perform a holding pattern and descend to a specific altitude before attempting to land. For “too far” and “too low”, the program will refuse to calculate an approach and landing procedure.

Glide slope (or theta):

• The angle at which the aircraft is descending

Glide slope (in ft/NM):

• Related to Glide slope (or theta)

• Represents descent in ft/NM (altitude vs distance from runway)

Glide path

• Final descent path to the runway

Descent profile (or vertical speed)

• The rate of descent relative to distance to travel

• In the form of ft/min

Since real-world approach and landing calculations involve lots of factors, the following assumptions and limits are made to simplify the scope of this project and focus on demonstrating my use of the concepts learned in ENES206.

• Straight-in approach (aircraft is lined up with the runway)

• Wind calm, clear weather, normal visibility, and flat terrain

• Speed changes happen immediately

• Assume flaps are not extended until aircraft intersects with glide slope

• Weight of aircraft is fixed (fuel burn is negligible) and preset

• Angle of attack is negligible

• Wing area is fixed

• Air density is constant at 1.225 kg/m^3

• Max altitude input is 15,000ft

• Max distance from runway is 150NM

Below are all the variables, equations, and constants that will be used in the program, along with their purpose and units. Note that while the Lift and Lift to Weight equations are not explicitly used in the program, they are components used to determine target speed.

Note: These values were determined by using ChatGPT (taking the midpoint of the ranges)

Below are the steps to calculate the optimal approach path:

• User selects type of aircraft

  • Program retrieves aircraft's landing weight, wing area, and coefficients of lift from the predefined table
    
    

• User inputs current altitude, distance from runway, and speed

  • The program validates these inputs to ensure they are within reasonable and defined limits
    
    

• Based on altitude and distance from runway, the program determines the optimal glide slope between 2.0° and 5.0° (in 0.5 degree increments).

  • If there is no glide slope that best accommodates the aircraft’s current position, then the program begins generating a holding pattern

  • If an optimal glide slope is found, the program initiates final approach begins generating a descent profile following the glide slope

    
    

• For the holding pattern, the program will choose a default glide slope, direct the aircraft to turn around, and begin descending until it intersects with the generated final approach glide path, then the program will direct the plane to turn back around to begin final approach

• On final approach, the program generates a descent profile by calculating target airspeed and target vertical speed based on distance from runway, altitude, glide slope, landing weight, and coefficient of lift (with flaps)

Based on the test results, the MATLAB program successfully determines the optimal approach procedure across a variety of scenarios. The calculated target speeds, vertical speeds, and descent profiles are both accurate and realistic within the context of the simulation. While this project is intentionally simplified with assumptions and limitations, the program effectively mirrors core principles of real-world landing and approach procedures.

Overall, I enjoyed developing this final project a lot. It has allowed me to demonstrate my mastery of the concepts learned in ENES 206 and highlight my potential to learn more in the world of programming and engineering. Throughout the Spring 2025 semester, I have taken advantage of countless opportunities to apply my MATLAB skills into my differential equations and mechanics of materials classes. I hope to continue learning about MATLAB and its countless features as I advance to 4-year university.