Usage

This section explains how to run AeroTrack, interpret its inputs and outputs, and understand its processing workflow.

Running AeroTrack

After installation, launch the main script:

python AeroTrack_MAIN.py

A file dialog will open prompting you to select a configuration file (project_config.json). This file defines key paths for input and output data.

Configuration File Example

The configuration file must be a JSON file with the following structure:

{
  "input_folder": "FlightCSVs/",
  "output_folder": "Processed/",
  "master_flight_list_folder": "MasterList/",
  "project_name": "SampleProject"
}

  • input_folder: Path to a folder containing raw flight .csv files

  • output_folder: Where processed outputs will be saved

  • master_flight_list_folder: Folder containing the aircraft metadata file

  • project_name: Used as a prefix in output filenames

Expected Folder Structure

AeroTrack/
├── FlightCSVs/
│   ├── 20230701_1210_A320_XXXXX.csv
│   └── ...
├── Processed/
├── MasterList/
│   └── Master_Flight_List.csv
├── project_config.json
├── AeroTrack_MAIN.py
└── AeroTrack_Modules.py

Processing Steps

Once a valid configuration is selected, AeroTrack performs the following:

  1. Loads each `.csv` file in the input folder

  2. Extracts physical quantities: vertical speed, flight path angle, etc.

  3. Identifies flight phases using OpenAP’s FlightPhase model

  4. Estimates drag using OpenAP’s aerodynamic models (if aircraft type known)

  5. Calculates fuel burn using either fixed lookup or OpenAP’s engine model

  6. Saves processed outputs to the output folder: - Annotated flight file (e.g., 20230701_1210_A320_XXXXX_phases.csv) - Optional plots (drag, fuel, phase time series)

  7. Updates a master summary file with metrics across all flights

Optional Prompts

At runtime, AeroTrack will ask whether to:

  • Enable drag and weight estimation via OpenAP

  • Enable fuel burn estimation

  • Enable plotting of key performance variables

These allow users to control the level of computation performed.

Output Files

Each processed flight produces:

  • A CSV file with new columns: - Vertical_Speed - Flight_Path_Angle - Flight_Phase - Total_Drag (if OpenAP is used) - Fuel_Burn (if enabled)

  • A master .csv file (e.g., SampleProject_MasterFlightList.csv) containing a summary row per flight

Visualizations

If enabled, AeroTrack generates: - Time-series plots: drag vs time, fuel vs time - Flight phase transitions - Fuel burn vs altitude or temperature

These are saved to the output folder or displayed interactively.

Next Step

To learn how each module contributes to the AeroTrack pipeline, continue to the AeroTrack section or explore the api_reference/FlightProcessor page.