RCAIDE.Library.Mission.Segments.Descent.Constant_EAS_Constant_Rate

Constant_EAS_Constant_Rate

Functions

initialize_conditions(segment)

Initializes conditions for constant equivalent airspeed descent at fixed rate

initialize_conditions(segment)

Initializes conditions for constant equivalent airspeed descent at fixed rate

Parameters:

segment (Segment) –

The mission segment being analyzed

• descent_ratefloat

  Rate of descent [m/s]

• equivalent_air_speedfloat

  Equivalent airspeed to maintain [m/s]

• altitude_startfloat

  Initial altitude [m]

• altitude_endfloat

  Final altitude [m]

• sideslip_anglefloat

  Aircraft sideslip angle [rad]

• state:

  numerics.dimensionless.control_pointsarray

  Discretization points [-]

  conditionsData

  State conditions container

• analyses:

  atmosphereModel

  Atmospheric model for property calculations

Return type:

None

Notes

This function sets up the initial conditions for a descent segment with constant equivalent airspeed (EAS) and constant descent rate. It handles the conversion between EAS and true airspeed accounting for density variations with altitude. Updates segment conditions directly with velocity_vector [m/s], altitude [m], and position_vector [m].

Calculation Process

1. Discretize altitude profile

2. Get atmospheric properties at each altitude

3. Convert EAS to true airspeed:

   V = EAS/sqrt(ρ/ρ0) where:

   • ρ is local density

   • ρ0 is sea level density

4. Decompose velocity into components using:

   • Fixed descent rate

   • Sideslip angle

   • Computed true airspeed

Major Assumptions

• Constant equivalent airspeed

• Constant descent rate

• Standard atmosphere model

• Small angle approximations

• Quasi-steady flight

See also

RCAIDE.Framework.Mission.Segments, RCAIDE.Library.Mission.Common.Update.atmosphere