Abstract: A system and method for determining an optimum flight slot for an aircraft are provided. The method, for example, may include, but is not limited to, receiving flight plan input data from a client device, generating a flight plan based upon the flight plan input data, the flight plan including a plurality of fixes, determining a plurality of time slots based upon the flight plan input data, determining a traffic density for each fix along the flight plan for each of the plurality of slots, the traffic density based upon a number of aircraft within a bounding area containing each respective fix, determining the optimum flight time slot from the plurality of time slots based upon a weighted summation of the traffic density for each fix along the flight plan for each of the plurality of slots, and transmitting the optimum flight time slot to the client device.

Abstract: Methods are provided for determining time and fuel efficient airport terminal area procedures for an aircraft. First, a series of departure clusters are generated for a departure airport based on standard instrument departure (SID) procedures. The time and fuel characteristics of the departure clusters are categorized by departure time. Next, a series of destination clusters is generated for a destination airport based on approach procedures and standard terminal arrival (STAR) procedures. The time and fuel characteristics of the destination clusters are categorized by arrival time. The clusters are stored in an electronic database and during planning a flight plan of the aircraft. Once retrieved, terminal area procedures for the flight plan of the aircraft are selected based upon weighted values assigned to the time and fuel characteristics of the departure clusters for a departure airport and the destination clusters for a destination airport.

Abstract: A system and method for determining an optimum flight slot for an aircraft are provided. The method, for example, may include, but is not limited to, receiving flight plan input data from a client device, generating a flight plan based upon the flight plan input data, the flight plan including a plurality of fixes, determining a plurality of time slots based upon the flight plan input data, determining a traffic density for each fix along the flight plan for each of the plurality of slots, the traffic density based upon a number of aircraft within a bounding area containing each respective fix, determining the optimum flight time slot from the plurality of time slots based upon a weighted summation of the traffic density for each fix along the flight plan for each of the plurality of slots, and transmitting the optimum flight time slot to the client device.