An aid for flight squadron scheduling

Abstract

An integer programming approach is taken to schedule daily training flights in a Japanese operational flight squadron and an American flight training squadron. Two related models for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) are considered for pilots just out of the training pipeline and for fully qualified pilots. Explicit measures of effectiveness that update pilot currency are used, while instructor and aircraft availabilities create resource restrictions. The models are implemented in the GAMS language and solved with the ZOOM solver, using simulated data which include up to 19 pilots. A typical model with 477 constraints and 129 variables is solved in 2.30 seconds on an IBM 3033AP. In addition, a training squadron model in the United States Marine Corps is considered. The approach is similar to the JMSDF models, except that a student must be assigned an instructor and there is a difference in training policy. The model is formulated using GAMS and solved with ZOOM solver, using the data from the training squadron HMT303, Camp Pendleton, CA. The data includes 11 student pilots and 15 instructors. A typical model with 146 constraints and 984 variables is solved in 23.5 seconds on an IBM 3033AP.