IT-SUPPORTED DATA ANALYSIS OF FUEL CONSUMPTION AND FLIGHT PROGRESS IN AVIATION SECTOR

Abstract

Aviation continues to be an important means of transport for passengers and cargo. However, fuel savings and emissions reduction have become increasingly important in recent years. As part of a PhD thesis, ways to reduce fuel consumption by reducing the final reserve fuel were investigated. Improved risk assessment, calculations based on better data and better decision-making can optimise the amount of fuel needed without compromising safety levels. Evidence for this must be provided, often with the help of appropriate data, frequently correspondingly large amounts of data. The statistical basis for this study was data over a five-year period provided by an airline from various reports, each with approx. 40 000 data sets. The assessment was carried out in several steps using various tools such as Excel or, in particular, MATLAB. A wide range of data on all aircraft movements is recorded in the internal database system of the air carrier which provided the information. Through statistical analysis of existing fuel data, it was possible to prove that the planning and flight execution is reliable - as a representation of the basic level of safety. MATLAB makes it possible to quickly create clear and meaningful plots. With the help of this assessment, evidence of a performance-based approach to the approval of fuel systems can be provided. This in turn can be used for the application of procedures requiring approval by the competent authority.