Continuous descent approach
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.[1] It is also used at Gatwick Airport.[2]
See also
- Pages with broken file links
- Aviation Safety X
- ASXWiki
- Continuous descent approach
- Descent Procedures
- Noise Abatement Procedures
- Environmental Considerations
- Fuel Efficiency
- Approach and Landing
- Flight Path Management
- Air Traffic Management
- Arrival Procedures
- Flight Techniques
- Airspace Utilization
- Energy Management in Aviation
- Operational Efficiency
- Pilot Procedures
- Aircraft Performance
- Flight Efficiency Initiatives
- Modern Approach Concepts
- Vertical Navigation
- Pages with script errors
