G01C23/005

Runway landing alert system and method

Methods and apparatus are provided for generating a runway landing alert for an aircraft. The method comprises establishing a Runway Awareness Advisory System (RAAS) envelope for the designated target runway of the aircraft. A track of the aircraft is monitored with reference to a centerline of the target runway. Any deviation by the aircraft from the centerline of the target runway is detected and determined if it is within a margin of error. If the deviation is within the margin of error, an altitude parameter of the RAAS envelope is increased. If the aircraft is determined to still be maneuvering with respect to the centerline of the target runway, the altitude parameter of the RAAS envelope is decreased. Otherwise, an alert is generated if the aircraft is outside of the RAAS envelope.

COMPARATIVE VERTICAL PROFILE DISPLAYS

Methods and systems are provided for assisting operation of an aircraft when diverting from a flight plan using a comparative vertical profile display. A vertical profile display includes a first graphical representation of a first vertical profile corresponding to a first lateral route defined by a flight plan for the aircraft and a second graphical representation of a second vertical profile corresponding to a modified lateral route different from the first lateral route displayed concurrently on the vertical profile display. The first vertical profile corresponding to the first lateral route is depicted on the vertical profile display in a first plane and the second vertical profile corresponding to the modified lateral route is depicted on the vertical profile display in a second plane different from the first plane.

Third-party accessible application programming interface for generating 3D symbology
11543265 · 2023-01-03 · ·

A system that employs a third-party accessible application programming interface (API) to generate symbology for a three-dimensional view is disclosed. In embodiments, the third-party accessible API is running on or configured to communicate with at least one controller for an aircraft display system. The third-party accessible API is configured to receive a set of parameters for generating three-dimensional symbology. The controller is configured to receive the three-dimensional symbology from the third-party accessible API. The controller is further configured to generate a three-dimensional view that includes proprietary symbology and the three-dimensional symbology from the third-party accessible API at a display of the aircraft display system.

System and method for gimbal lock avoidance in an aircraft
11536565 · 2022-12-27 · ·

A rotorcraft is described and includes an inertial measurement unit (“IMU”) sensor mounted to the rotorcraft, the IMU sensor oriented relative to the rotorcraft such that a roll attitude of the rotorcraft occurs about a Z-axis and has a range of ±90 degrees, a pitch attitude of the rotorcraft occurs about an X-axis and has a range of ±180 degrees, and a yaw attitude of the rotorcraft occurs about a Y-axis and has a range of ±180 degrees.

Radar vectoring energy management guidance methods and systems

Methods and systems are provided for guiding or otherwise assisting energy management of an aircraft radar vectoring en route to a runway. A method involves determining a predicted lateral trajectory for the radar vectoring in accordance with interception criteria, wherein the lateral trajectory comprises a sequence of segments for satisfying the interception criteria from a current location of the aircraft and each navigational segment of the sequence is associated with an anticipated aircraft heading assignment. The method determines a reference vertical trajectory corresponding to the lateral trajectory, determines a target value for an energy state parameter of the aircraft at the current location on the lateral trajectory using the reference vertical trajectory, and provides indication of a recommended action to reduce a difference between a current value for the energy state parameter and the target value.

Methods and systems for graphical representation of required time of arrival (RTA) constraint information

Human-machine interface for required time of arrival (RTA) constraint negotiation. Embodiments present critical RTA information and results of associated data calculations to the pilot in a concise and informative manner using a dialogue box with intuitive graphical displays. Embodiments present critical RTA information to assist a pilot in negotiating the RTA constraint with air traffic controllers, accepting the clearance, and having confidence in the system that it will achieve the defined RTA constraint.

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR ASSISTING IN LANDING AN AIRCRAFT UNDER POOR VISIBILITY CONDITIONS

Method and device for assisting with landing an aircraft under poor visibility conditions are provided. The method allows sensor data to be received during a phase of approach toward a runway when the runway and/or an approach lighting system are not visible to the pilot from the cockpit; then, in the received sensor data, data of interest characteristic of the runway and/or the approach lighting system to be determined; then, on the basis of the data of interest, the coordinates of a target area to be computed; and, on a head-up display, a guiding symbol representative of the target area to be displayed, the guiding symbol being displayed before the aircraft reaches the decision height, in order to provide the pilot with a visual cue in which to search for the runway and/or approach lighting system.

Computer-assisted aerial surveying and navigation
11594140 · 2023-02-28 · ·

Computer-implemented methods, systems, and program products are provided that assist in aspects of aerial surveying, including selective display of planned flight path segments, marking of ground conditions, monitoring coverage of a planned flight path, and providing guidance information for aircraft navigation, including speed and turns.

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATED FLIGHT PLAN REPORTING IN AN ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT
20230054770 · 2023-02-23 · ·

A system for automated flight plan reporting for an electric aircraft, the system including a flight controller coupled to the electric aircraft configured to receive a digital datum from a remote device, generate a plan adjustment datum as a function of the digital datum, and transmit the plan adjustment datum to a pilot display, a pilot display coupled to the electric aircraft, wherein the pilot display is configured to receive the plan adjustment datum from the flight controller, display the plan adjustment datum to a user; and receive a confirmation datum from the user.

Heading or pitch determination systems and methods with high confidence error bounds

Systems and methods for use in navigating aircraft are provided. The systems can use Geometry Redundant Almost Fixed Solutions (GRAFS) or Geometry Extra Redundant Almost Fixed Solutions (GERAFS) to compute high confidence error bounds for a heading angle estimate or pitch angle derived using signals received on at least two antennas.