Interactive dynamic aircraft scheduling

Abstract

Introducing recent advances in computer technology to improve aircraft scheduling is investigated. Incorporating interactive graphics, modern database manipulation techniques, and decision support algorithms, the computer is proposed as a tool for the schedule development process, replacing present manual methods. A detailed set of graphics representations of schedule data are presented based on the sequence chart and station activity chart. The interactive manipulation of these displays by the scheduler results in an immediate appropriate update of the schedule database. Quick graphics response and automatic constraint violation alerts speed the search for feasible schedules. The execution of complex aircraft scheduling operations by the proposed system is presented. Schedule display and database structures are designed for implementation on computers with modern high resolution graphics and pointer directed list capabilities.