Abstract:
A ground collision avoidance method in an ownship vehicle is disclosed. The method includes: retrieving position measurements for the ownship vehicle and for a dynamic obstacle; retrieving mapping data from an airport map database that includes coordinate data for airport travel pathways; adjusting a position measurement for the ownship vehicle and a position measurement for the dynamic obstacle based on coordinate data retrieved from the airport map database and historical aircraft movement data; predicting a series of future positions for the ownship vehicle that are constrained by airport surface operation rules; predicting a series of future positions for the dynamic obstacle that are constrained by airport surface operation rules; calculating whether a potential collision is imminent; and causing a collision alert to be displayed when the processor has determined that a potential collision between the ownship vehicle and the dynamic obstacle is imminent.
Abstract:
Methods and systems are provided for prompting a pilot of an aircraft of reporting waypoint tasks. The method comprises retrieving compulsory reporting waypoints that are located along a stored planned flightpath for the aircraft. Pre-defined waypoint tasks are also retrieved for each compulsory reporting waypoint. The location of the aircraft is tracked along the planned flightpath and an alert for the pilot as the aircraft reaches each compulsory reporting waypoint. The alert prompts the pilot of the waypoint tasks by displaying the alert on a visual display device located on-board the aircraft.
Abstract:
A significant weather advisory system for an aircraft is disclosed. The system is configured to identify, from strategic weather data, current significant weather events from weather impacted areas projected to be intersected by a geographical corridor around a projected flight path and projected to occur during determined time intervals during which the airborne vehicle is expected to pass through the weather impacted areas; compare the current significant weather events to previously identified significant weather events and detect significant changes between the current significant weather events and the previously identified significant weather events; and generate a notification for display to the flight crew via an onboard notification system that identifies the detected significant change when a significant change is detected.
Abstract:
Methods and systems are provided for prompting a pilot of an aircraft of reporting waypoint tasks. The method comprises retrieving compulsory reporting waypoints that are located along a stored planned flightpath for the aircraft. Pre-defined waypoint tasks are also retrieved for each compulsory reporting waypoint. The location of the aircraft is tracked along the planned flightpath and an alert for the pilot as the aircraft reaches each compulsory reporting waypoint. The alert prompts the pilot of the waypoint tasks by displaying the alert on a visual display device located on-board the aircraft.
Abstract:
Improved flight display systems and methods that selectively deemphasize terrain are provided. The method includes receiving and processing navigation reference point data, terrain data, and aircraft status data. Next, the method (a) renders on a display system, in real-time, a viewing segment defined as at least a navigation reference point for the aircraft, the viewing segment having terrain rendered in a first level of terrain contrast; and (b) determines that the aircraft is in a terrain deemphasis scenario when an altitude is certain low altitude operations. When the aircraft is in the terrain deemphasis scenario, the method deemphasizes terrain within a determined boundary in the viewing segment. Deemphasizing includes decreasing terrain contrast to a second level of terrain contrast within the boundary. Terrain contrast within the boundary is restored to the first level responsive to receiving a restore trigger.
Abstract:
Cockpit display systems and methods are provided for performing Glide Slope (G/S) validation processes during Instrument Landing System (ILS) approaches. In one embodiment, the cockpit display system utilizes validated G/S signals to selectively correct the viewpoint of a Synthetic Vision System (SVS) scene generated on a Synthetic Vision Primary Flight Display (SV-FPD). In such an embodiment, the cockpit display system may include an ILS receiver, a cockpit display device on which the SV-PFD is generated, and a controller operably coupled to the cockpit display device and to the ILS receiver. During an ILS approach, the controller selectively performs a G/S validation algorithm to determine the validity of the G/S signals received during the ILS approach. If determining that the G/S signals are valid, the controller then repeatedly updates the SVS viewpoint during the ILS approach based, at least in part, on the validated G/S signals.
Abstract:
Aircraft display systems for deployment onboard rotorcraft or other aircraft are provided, as are methods carried-out by an aircraft display system. In an embodiment, the aircraft display system includes a controller operably coupled to at least one cockpit display device. The controller is configured to generate a Primary Flight Display (PFD) and Horizontal Situation Indicator (HSI) graphics on the cockpit display device. The controller selectively switches PFD operation between a heading-centered display mode and at least a first non-heading-centered display mode. The HSI graphics are produced to include one or more movable HSI symbols identifying a current aircraft heading when the PFD operates in the first non-heading-centered display mode. In certain embodiments, the controller may also selectively generate visual alerts on the PFD by altering the appearance of the HSI graphics when an angle between the current track and the current heading of the aircraft exceeds an angular threshold.
Abstract:
Cockpit display systems and methods are provided for generating cockpit displays including symbology useful in assessing whether enhanced flight visibility requirements are satisfied during approach and landing. In one embodiment, the cockpit display system includes an Enhanced Flight Vision System (EFVS) sensor configured to monitor a region forward of the aircraft for runway reference features, a cockpit display device on which an EFVS image is generated utilizing EFVS sensor data, and a controller coupled to the EFVS sensor and to the display device. The controller determines an enhanced flight visibility requirement for a runway approached by the aircraft, and then visually indicates on the EFVS image whether the enhanced flight visibility requirement is currently satisfied by, for example. generating an enhanced flight visibility indicator (EFVI) graphic on the EFVS image visually identifying a ground location beyond which the appearance of a runway reference feature satisfies the enhanced flight visibility requirement.
Abstract:
A display system for an aircraft includes a processing unit configured to determine runway lighting information for runway lighting associated with a selected runway and to generate display commands based on the runway lighting information. The runway lighting is located at a first location relative to the selected runway. The display system further includes a display device coupled the processing unit for receiving the display commands and operable to selectively render first symbology representing the runway lighting information at a second location relative to the selected runway.
Abstract:
Display systems and methods for generating a display providing runway illusion alleviation are disclosed herein. An exemplary method for generating a display includes the steps of determining a position of the aircraft in a vicinity of an approaching runway, retrieving terrain data regarding the vicinity of the approaching runway and retrieving runway data regarding the approaching runway, determining the existence of a runway illusion effect by analyzing the terrain data and the runway data. The method further includes the steps of rendering graphical terrain imagery and rendering graphical runway imagery on the flight display in accordance with the terrain data and the runway data and rendering a graphical runway illusion alleviation object on the flight display.