Dynamic aircraft energy management in atc-complex environments

Aviation is impacted by and has an impact on climate change. This is prompting the aviation stakeholders to step up its efforts with the goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050. Achieving this ambition requires contributions from all parts of the air transport system, including a step change in how trajectories are managed in dense terminal manoeuvring areas (TMAs). Today, ATM procedures and controller interventions often introduce level-off segments and speed-brake usage, degrading Vertical Flight Efficiency (VFE) and increasing fuel burn, emissions and noise. In an ideal descent, the aircraft would initiate descent at the optimum top-of-descent point, fly continuously at idle thrust and minimise drag by delaying high-lift device deployment until necessary.DYN-MAX addresses this challenge with four interoperable solutions that reduce uncertainty in flight predictability and enable environmentally sustainable TMA operations. Solution 1 develops enhanced ATC tools and procedures (eAMAN, eORD) to provide earlier and more accurate arrival route information to the aircraft, reducing later tactical interventions. Solution 2 introduces advanced Flight Management System functions such as dynamic trajectory recomputation, secondary flight plan use for descent planning, and optimised energy management cues enabling near-idle descents and support stabilised approaches. Solution 3 extends CPDLC use in the TMA with EXPECT route messages, ATC phraseologies and procedures. Solution 4 develops Geometric TMA procedures, removing the barometric transition layer to enhance vertical planning, capacity and efficiency.Together, these solutions minimise the flights environmental footprint in the TMA while maintaining capacity and improving safety. Expected benefits include a 10–20% improvement in VFE, fewer level segments, reduced thrust and drag, and higher rates of stabilised approaches. Each solution is independently deployable, yet offers maximum benefit when integrated.