STEPLESS
Stepless High-Lift Configurations for Optimised Aircraft Energy Management in the TMA
STEPLESS is a Horizon Europe project implemented in the framework of the Digital European Sky of the SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking. STEPLESS aims to lower the environmental footprint during final approach operations with both conventional and increased glideslope angles (IGS).
The project started officially on the 1st of September 2024 for a duration of 30 months. The project participants of STEPLESS gathered on the 4th of September 2024 at the premises of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Braunschweig, Germany for an official kick-off meeting. It was an opportunity for the project participants to define the initial steps of the project work and to clarify the interrelations between the different tasks and activities.
IGS approaches are intended to reduce the noise exposure on ground by a higher flight altitude during final approach. Steeper approach angles however, also reduce the aircraft's capability to decelerate to final approach speed. Therefore, pilots might be forced to configure the aircraft for landing earlier, which has deteriorating effects on noise and fuel consumption.
The STEPLESS project aims to transform aircraft approach procedures by introducing a novel high-lift system designed for optimized energy management. This innovative approach focuses on enabling stepless adjustments to aircraft high-lift configurations during approach, allowing for dynamic adaptation to glide slope angles and flight conditions.
By enhancing the Flight Management System (FMS), STEPLESS will reduce fuel consumption and noise, even under IGS scenarios. Expected outcomes include reduced CO2 emissions, operational cost savings, and noise reductions. STEPLESS aims to improve air traffic management (ATM) efficiency by enhancing aircraft compliance with air traffic control (ATC) speed constraints, ultimately increasing airspace capacity.
The STEPLESS consortium is composed of five research institutions, one airborne equipment manufacturer and one consulting company. The project participants are located in five countries all over Europe, namely Germany, France, The Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland:
The STEPLESS consortium is composed of five research institutions, one airborne equipment manufacturer and one consulting company. The project participants are located in five countries all over Europe, namely Germany, France, The Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland:
- German Aerospace Center (DLR) – Project Coordinator
- Empa - Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology
- Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR)
- Swiss SkyLab
- Thales Avs France
- Technical University of Catalonia (UPC)
- L-up
More information on the project can be found on SESAR Joint Undertaking Projects Portal.
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This project is supported by the SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking and its founding members.
Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking.
Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.