Continuous descent approach
File:Continuous descent approach.svg
Continuous descent approach (CDA), also known as optimized profile descent (OPD), is a method by which aircraft approach airports prior to landing. It is designed to reduce fuel consumption and noise compared to other conventional descents. Instead of approaching an airport in a stairstep fashion, throttling down, and requesting permission to descend to each new (lower) altitude, CDA allows for a smooth, constant-angle descent to landing.
A continuous descent approach starts from the top of descent, i.e., at cruise altitude, and allows the aircraft to fly its individual optimal vertical profile down to runway threshold. Some airports apply constraints to this individual optimal profile.
United Kingdom
The approach to London Heathrow Airport uses CDA, particularly at night, to minimize noise pollution.{{Cite journal |author=BAA Heathrow |title=Flight Evaluation Report 2004/05 |date=2004–2005 |url=http://www.heathrowairport.com/assets//B2CPortal/Static%20Files/New2005Booklet.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051126064156/http://www.heathrowairport.com/assets//B2CPortal/Static%20Files/New2005Booklet.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=2005-11-26 |accessdate=2 November 2007 }} It is also used at Gatwick Airport.{{Cite journal|author=BAA Gatwick|title=Flight Evaluation Report 2006/07|url=http://www.gatwickairport.com/assets//B2CPortal/Static%20Files/FEU%20Report%202006-07.pdf|format=PDF|accessdate=26 January 2008|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227080554/http://www.gatwickairport.com/assets//B2CPortal/Static%20Files/FEU%20Report%202006-07.pdf|archivedate=27 February 2008|url-status=dead}}
See also
References
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