Development and visualization of the computer loading planning model for the cargo aircraft

Abstract

Loading an aircraft is an extremely complex process with many variable aspects that determine the planning of each flight separately. The article is devoted to the development of an algorithm and a computer model for planning the loading of a cargo ramp aircraft in a multi-lag route. The essence of the algorithm consists in a predetermined arrangement of cargo containers relative to the cargo compartment, taking into account the general limitations of the aircraft and the priority of the cargo, which directly affects the planning of loading in a multi-lag route. The use of a visualized computer model created on the basis of the algorithm can reduce the average time of loading operations for a number of direct flights by almost 7 %, and on multi-lag flights by 12 %. Implementation of the model in the activities of an air carrier avoids a situation where certain criteria and restrictions entail sorting «manually» by all indicators, which is very time-consuming in the context of the urgency of servicing the aircraft at the airport. The visualized load planning computer model enables flight planning personnel to make faster decisions and predict additional load on other sections of the route. The successful application of the model to the airline’s operations contributes to the efficiency and safety of ground handling services. This contributes to the intensification of the use of the aircraft fleet by increasing the speed of commercial cargo handling. In the future, the computer model can serve as the basis for a rule-based expert system in order to prevent containers from being overloaded at intermediate sections of the route.