Generation of RNP approach flight procedures with an RRT* path-planning algorithm

Abstract

We present a framework capable of generating required navigation performance authorization required approach (RNP AR APCH) procedures by using a combination of the optimal version of the path-planning rapidly-exploring random tree (RRT*) algorithm and Dubins paths. Procedures are generated by taking into account design constraints defined by the international civil aviation organization (ICAO) procedures for air navigation services - aircraft operations (PANS-OPS). The framework is used to compute several approach procedures for two airports in Japan, Kumamoto and Kitakyushu airports. Several feasible procedures are successfully obtained in a low amount of computational time, many of them resembling the actual procedures published in the selected airports. The output of our framework represents a valuable input for procedure designers, who could later refine the obtained results with specific flight-procedure-design software.