Pacelab CI OPS

The International Air Transport Association recommends airlines to maximize the use of cost index optimization in all their operations. But for many operators of regional and legacy aircraft, this advice is impractical because the FMS of their fleets lack the built-in CI capability of modern Airbus and Boeing aircraft. In the same vein, CI-optimized flight planning requires variable speed schedules, which are not necessarily supplied by the aircraft manufacturer.

Pacelab CI OPS was developed to fill this gap and unlock the full potential of cost index operations for all operators. Running on commercial off-the-shelf Class 1 and 2 EFBs, Pacelab CI OPS enables flight crews of all aircraft types to determine the most cost-efficient trajectory in any given situation. Its unique functional scope and superior ease of use make it a valuable complement to even the most advanced FMS.

Economic decision support for the flight deck

Pacelab CI OPS enables flight crews to flexibly adjust the planned trajectory and respond directly to deviations from the operational flight plan caused by delays, ATC directs or adverse weather conditions.

CI-optimized flight planning

If unavailable from the aircraft manufacturer, we can provide operators with variable speed schedules which are prerequisite to creating CI-optimized flight plans. The speed schedules are derived from high-quality first principles data which have been made available to us by the manufacturer. The speed schedules are supplied in form of electronic data tables, which can be formatted to suit any ground-based flight planning system.

Reduced fuel burn and improved operational efficiency

Compared to constant speed procedures, cost index operations reduce fuel burn and harmful emissions by at least 2%, in adverse conditions even up to 10%. Average fuel savings are 4% for aircraft with legacy FMS, and 2% for aircraft with CI-enabled FMS.

 

Pacelab CI OPS’s unique functional scope and ease of use outperform today’s most state-of-the-art FMS.

Calculation of the most cost-efficient trajectory

Pacelab CI OPS supports the optimization of vertical flight profiles taking into account airline-specific cost index, planned on-block time and other key factors such as CG, wind, DISA and TOW. These can be imported automatically to minimize the need for manual input. If deviations from the operational flight plan occur, pilots can recalculate the most cost-efficient altitude and speed for the remainder of the trip and adjust the trajectory accordingly.

Easy-to-use, predefined operating modes

Pacelab CI OPS’s predefined operating modes cover frequently encountered situations, in which a recalculation of the trajectory is required:

  • Preparation defines the initial trajectory without time constraint based on parameter settings in preflight preparation
  • T/O 60s determines the ECON trajectory based on the actual take-off time and SIBT.
  • Flight Level calculates the ECON trajectory for the remainder of the trip following ATC clearance of an unplanned flight level.
  • Speed calculates the ECON trajectory for the remainder of the trip following ATC command to slow down or speed up at the current flight level. Also evaluates alternative trajectories above and below the current flight level.
  • Early/Late optimizes the remaining trajectory whenever time targets defined in the OFP are not met (with step climbs and descents taken into account).
  • Holding calculates the most fuel-efficient holding speed for the current altitude and gross weight.

High user-friendliness

For safe and comfortable operation on board, Pacelab CI OPS provides an EFB-optimized touch screen interface, which supports landscape and portrait mode. Intelligent import options allow reading data from electronic operational flight plans (both in proprietary LIDO/Flight format and ARINC 633 standard) and ARINC bus 429 if supported by EFB model.

An off-the-shelf version of Pacelab CI OPS is currently available for the following aircraft types (more under development – please contact our sales team for details):

  • BAE AVRO RJ 70, 85 & 100
  • CRJ 200
  • CRJ 700
  • CRJ 900
  • CRJ 9NG
  • EMB 190
  • EMB 195
  • B 737NG

You can run Pacelab CI OPS on Class 1 and 2 EFBs with the following systems configurations:

  • Memory: 3-4 GB or higher
  • Processor speed: 2.6 GHz Intel Core 2 or equivalent
  • Screen resolution: any, optimized for 1024 x 768px and 1280 x 800px
  • Operating systems: Microsoft Windows XP or Microsoft Windows 7

Pacelab CI OPS has been successfully implemented with the following EFB frameworks:

  • Lufthansa Systems eFlightBag
  • aircore systems AS-Dormas

Pacelab CI OPS

the comprehensive solution for cost index operations
product data sheet pdf

Operational Efficiency Management Suite

an integrated approach to cost and fuel savings
brochure pdf

Release 3.0 out now

The graphical user interface of Pacelab CI OPS has been completely redesigned to enhance its usability including:

  • a wizard for initial data input
  • support for variable as well as fixed CI
  • support for swipe gesture on multi-touch devices

Find Out More

If you would like to find out more about Pacelab products or schedule a personal online demo of our software, please contact our sales team any time.

We will get back to you as soon as possible to answer any questions you may have.