Title: Analysis of the aircraft performance at cruise altitude within the tropopause layer

Authors: Tapdig Imanov

Addresses: Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Economics, Administrative, and Social Sciences, Cyprus Aydin University, Dr. Fazıl Küçük Caddesi, Ozanköy, 99320, Kyrenia, TRNC Mersin 10, Turkey

Abstract: The purpose of the current study is to examine a comprehensive analysis of aircraft performance within the tropopause layer, considering temperature anomaly occurrences at cruise flights between FL300 and FL430. Hereafter, 24 flight scenarios were analysed using 93 recorded flight data obtained from the Boeing 777F enhanced airborne flight recorder (EAFR). The methodology integrates General Electric (GE) Aviation diagnostic systems, TrueChoice and TRUEngine, and International Standard Atmosphere (ISA) data to establish relationships between temperature and altitude variations. The findings reveal significant temperature increases below the average tropopause level at 36,000 feet, resulting in elevated fuel consumption exceeding 9,000 lbs per hour. Despite moderate changes in exhaust gas temperature at 748°C, carbon dioxide emissions remain a major concern. Flights conducted above-average tropopause levels at altitudes between 390 and 430 FL indicate stability in engine parameters, ensuring optimal fuel efficiency.

Keywords: aircraft; performance; cruise flight; global warming; total air temperature; TAT; tropopause.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSA.2025.146646

International Journal of Sustainable Aviation, 2025 Vol.11 No.2, pp.184 - 215

Received: 11 Jan 2025
Accepted: 14 Mar 2025
Published online: 10 Jun 2025 *

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