Abstract:
An aircraft flight control system and method are provided. The system provides a control module that receives inertial data, sensor data, and a target airspeed. The control module processes the received data with aircraft thrust and drag models to evaluate the aircraft energy state. Based on the aircraft energy state, the control module determines (i) a maximum predicted potential flight path “max PPFP”, defined by a maximum thrust at the target airspeed, and (ii) an idle predicted potential flight path, “idle PPFP,” defined by an idle thrust at the target airspeed. The control module generates display commands for a display system to display (i) the flight path angle, (ii) the max PPFP and (iii) the idle PPFP. In addition, the control module generates and displays a predicted flight path speed indicator (PFPS) when the FPA is above the max PPFP or below the idle PPFP.
Abstract:
A wearable device to be worn by an operator of an aircraft includes a communication unit configured to receive aircraft parameters from an aircraft system. The wearable device further includes a database configured to store adverse control rules that define at least a first adverse control associated with a first aircraft state. The wearable device further includes a first sensor to collect data associated with movement and/or location of the wearable device. The wearable device includes a processing unit configured to identify the first aircraft state based on the aircraft parameters, evaluate operator intent based on the movement and/or location of the wearable device, and initiate a first alert when the operator intent corresponds to the first adverse control during the first aircraft state. The wearable device includes a haptic unit configured to communicate the first alert to the operator.
Abstract:
A system and methods of displaying airport field features on a flight deck display element of an aircraft are provided. The flight deck display system obtains geographic position data and heading data for the aircraft, accesses airport feature data associated with synthetic graphical representations of an airport field, and renders a dynamic synthetic display of the airport field on the flight deck display element. The dynamic synthetic display is rendered in accordance with the geographic position data, the heading data, and the airport feature data. In certain embodiments the synthetic display includes graphical representations of taxiways/runways, along with signage that is conformally rendered on the exposed taxiway surfaces. Display characteristics of the signage may be influenced by the actual physical and/or temporal proximity of the aircraft relative to reference locations on the airport field. In some embodiments, the taxiway/runway signage includes dynamic directional indicators corresponding to the intended directions of travel on the taxiways/runways. Moreover, the taxiway/runway signage can be dynamically rendered in a forward-facing manner at all times on the flight deck display element.
Abstract:
An aircraft flight control system and method are provided. The system provides a control module that receives inertial data, sensor data, and a target airspeed. The control module processes the received data with aircraft thrust and drag models to evaluate the aircraft energy state. Based on the aircraft energy state, the control module determines (i) a maximum predicted potential flight path “max PPFP”, defined by a maximum thrust at the target airspeed, and (ii) an idle predicted potential flight path, “idle PPFP,” defined by an idle thrust at the target airspeed. The control module generates display commands for a display system to display (i) the flight path angle, (ii) the max PPFP and (iii) the idle PPFP. In addition, the control module generates and displays a predicted flight path speed indicator (PFPS) when the FPA is above the max PPFP or below the idle PPFP.
Abstract:
A touchscreen device is configured to display a number of user interface elements in accordance with a menu hierarchy. Upon receipt of a predetermined touchscreen gesture (e.g., the circular motion of a manipulator) the menu hierarchy is bypassed and the user is given immediate control over a selected function, for example, a tuning function such as audio volume, screen contrast, and the like.
Abstract:
A system and method for validating data entry in response to an instruction received in an aircraft cockpit includes receiving, in an aircraft cockpit, an instruction that requires an aircraft pilot to manually enter a target value into an avionics system using an avionics system user interface. The received instruction is processed to determine the target value that should be set by the aircraft pilot using the avionics system user interface. Haptic feedback is to the avionics system user interface during the manual entry by the aircraft pilot.
Abstract:
Flight deck display systems and methods for generating cockpit displays including dynamic taxi turnoff icons are provided. In one embodiment, the flight deck display system includes a display device, a memory storing an airport map database, and a controller operably coupled to the display device and to the memory. The controller is configured to recall information from the airport map database pertaining to a runway cleared for usage by the aircraft. The controller further identifies a taxi exit along the runway based, at least in part, on the information recalled from the airport map database. The controller then generates a dynamic taxi turnoff icon on the display device including symbology representative of the runway and the location of the taxi exit along the runway.
Abstract:
Methods and systems are provided for generating an alert for an aircraft potentially exceeding speed limits in airspace with speed limitations. The method comprises retrieving a flight plan for the aircraft and identifying airspace with speed limitations along the flight plan. A speed profile is generated based on the in-flight aircraft's current position, speed and trajectory. Any predicted speed violations are identified by comparing the speed profile with the airspace with speed limitations along the flight plan. A predictive time window is calculated that allows for the in-flight aircraft to decelerate sufficiently to comply with the speed limits of the airspace with speed limitations. The predictive time window includes a zone for the aircraft to reduce its airspeed and a reaction buffer zone to allow the aircrew sufficient time to comply with instructions to decelerate the aircraft. Finally, an alert is generated for the crew of the in-flight aircraft upon entering the predictive time window.
Abstract:
A wearable device to be worn by an operator of an aircraft includes a communication unit configured to receive aircraft parameters from an aircraft system. The wearable device further includes a database configured to store adverse control rules that define at least a first adverse control associated with a first aircraft state. The wearable device further includes a first sensor to collect data associated with movement and/or location of the wearable device. The wearable device includes a processing unit configured to identify the first aircraft state based on the aircraft parameters, evaluate operator intent based on the movement and/or location of the wearable device, and initiate a first alert when the operator intent corresponds to the first adverse control during the first aircraft state. The wearable device includes a haptic unit configured to communicate the first alert to the operator.
Abstract:
Methods are provided for presenting procedure information for an airport on a display device onboard an aircraft. A method comprises displaying a map on a display device and displaying a briefing panel overlying a portion the map. The briefing panel includes a plurality of segments, wherein each segment is associated with a type of procedure information for the airport.