Drag and thrust calculation of a turbofan engine for medium-range aircraft using flight data recorder data

Efficient fuel use is crucial for optimizing aircraft performance, especially in medium-range commercial operations. This study introduces a dynamic thrust-drag modeling technique for a narrow-body jet aircraft powered by a CFM56-7B turbofan engine. It aims to explore the relationship between thrust and fuel consumption using real-world flight data. A physics-based model estimates thrust and drag forces by incorporating parameters such as flap angle, pitch angle, altitude, ground speed, and landing gear position. These parameters are extracted from the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) across multiple Boeing 737 flights. The analysis reveals a strong correlation between fuel flow and thrust, with drag values for flap angles of 15°, 30°, and 40° consistently ranging between 5000 and 10,000 lbf. This study is significant as it enables precise thrust calculations across various flight phases using FDR data. Notably, the thrust force calculated independently of fuel consumption correlates strongly with fuel flow. The findings from this analysis will enhance aero engine functionality and contribute to reducing aircraft energy consumption and emissions. © 2025 Elsevier Ltd