Flight Cost Index
Dear All
I have a question about using Cost Index in Airbus aircraft.
Cost Index = Cost of time/Cost of Fuel
As sper the above formula, if time cost (maintenance cost...) increases or fuel prices decreases CI goes up.
I work in the Airline Perfromace section and I advise pilots the optimum cost index (as per the above formula).
I know that pilots enter the cost index figure (optimum cost index given in the flight plan) to the FMGS before the departure.
I want to know if we (flt plan & pilots) use a Cost Index less than the optimum figure (CI-25 instead of CI-40) will it save more fuel than using the optimum cost index. (supposing the time difference is only 2-3 minutes).
And if an airline practices this for a long time is there any bad effects for the aeroplane performance.
Rgds/ULSK