In some examples, a system includes a memory configured to store a buffer storing volumetric weather data. The system also includes processing circuitry configured to retrieve weather radar data from the buffer by retrieving a first reflectivity value associated with a first cell of the buffer, where the first cell represents a first volume of space. The processing circuitry is further configured to determine an altitude of a first location based on a parameter and an altitude extent of the first volume of space. The altitude of the first location is lower than an altitude of a centroid of the first volume of space. The processing circuitry is also configured to associate the first reflectivity value with the first location.

The present invention relates to a method of assisting in the checking of at least one flight plan among at least a first flight plan and a second flight plan, each flight plan being associated with an ordered list of elements. The method comprises the steps of comparing flight plans in order to identify among the elements associated with said plans, common elements for all the plans and distinctive elements for each flight plan, and to display, a first comparative zone comprising a tree structure defining a plurality of levels, each level comprising a single root formed from one of the common elements or a branch for each flight plan, at least one of the branches in a same level comprising at least one of the distinctive elements associated with the corresponding flight plan.

An automatic landing system includes an imaging device mounted on a vertical take-off and landing aircraft; a relative-position acquisition unit that performs image processing on an image of a marker at a target landing point, and that acquires a relative position between the aircraft and the target landing point; a relative-altitude acquisition unit for acquiring a relative altitude between the aircraft and the target landing point; and a control unit for controlling the aircraft in a plurality of control modes so that the relative position becomes zero. The control modes include a hovering mode in which the relative altitude of the aircraft is lowered to a predetermined relative altitude when the relative position is within a first threshold value. A transition to a landing mode occurs upon satisfying predetermined conditions including the relative position being within a predetermined threshold value less than the first threshold value.

A computer-implemented method for communicating information to an electronic flight bag device (EFB) comprises receiving one or more notification to airmen messages (NOTAMs) that specify conditions associated with one or more runways or taxiways of an airport. The computing system selects from among the received NOTAMs one or more NOTAMs that specify particular conditions under which corresponding runways or taxiways are or will be closed to aircraft traffic. For each selected NOTAM, the computing system generates overlay data that specifies a graphical representation indicative of the particular conditions under which the corresponding runway or taxiway is or will be closed. The computing system communicates the overlay data associated with the selected NOTAMs to the EFB. The graphical representations specified by the overlay data are configured to be overlayed on a map that depicts runways and taxiways and that is configured to be presented by the EFB.

A monitoring system for an aircraft uses sensors configured to sense objects around the aircraft to generate a recommendation that is ultimately used to determine a possible route that the aircraft can follow to avoid colliding with a sensed object. A first algorithm generates guidance to avoid encounters with sensed airborne aircrafts. A second algorithm generates guidance to avoid encounters with sensed non-aircraft airborne obstacles and ground obstacles. The second algorithm sends inhibiting information to the first algorithm in a feedback loop based on the position of sensed non-aircraft objects. The first algorithm considers this inhibiting information when generating avoidance guidance regarding airborne aircrafts.

The present disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for detecting surface conditions using multiple images of different polarizations. A system in accordance with the present disclosure captures images having different polarizations and compares the images to evaluate surface conditions of an area, such as a runway, landing pad, roadway, or taxiway on which a vehicle is expected to land or otherwise travel. In some cases, a surface hazard, such as water, ice, or snow covering a surface of the area, may be detected and identified. Information indicative of the surface conditions may be used to make control decisions for operation of the vehicle.

A method for validating a terrain database includes a step of simulating flights based on trajectory data for an aircraft, the flight simulations being speeded up, a step of determining terrain collision risks by means of a system for signalling terrain collision risks based on the speeded-up flight simulations, a step of determining the origins of terrain collision risks with a view to validating or not validating the terrain database.

Systems and methods for correlating a Notice to Airman (NOTAM) with a chart displayed on an avionic display in a cockpit of an aircraft. The method includes receiving a flight plan (FP); receiving a position and location of the aircraft; and, rendering an avionic display comprising a chart page or a NOTAM page. Responsive to receiving a NOTAM, the method determines whether the NOTAM is relevant. The NOTAM is relevant when the NOTAM is concurrently related to the FP and references a chart of a plurality of pre-loaded charts onboard the aircraft. Responsive thereto, a selectable visual indicator of the chart is rendered on the NOTAM page of the avionic display. The NOTAM is also relevant when it is related to a chart page displayed on the avionic display; responsive thereto, a selectable visual indicator of the NOTAM is rendered on the chart page displayed on the avionic display.

This invention involves a modular LIDAR altimeter for aircraft to aid in navigation. Principally, this invention gathers altimetric readings that are more highly accurate than traditional data typically available to the average pilot. The modular LIDAR altimeter is designed to be easily attached to and detached from the outside of the aircraft, resulting in no modifications to the aircraft itself. The invention uses a LIDAR to perform ranging measurements enclosed in a container consisting of all the components necessary for its operation. Data from the modular LIDAR altimeter is wirelessly transmitted to be interpreted by a separate device.

In some embodiments, a method comprises: identifying past trips, each of the past trips having a past trip characteristic similar to a particular trip characteristic of a particular trip; obtaining a vehicle identifier used during each of the past trips; obtaining status of one or more onboard services provided during each of the past trips; generating interface data representing: a past trip header, the past trip characteristic for each of the past trips, the vehicle identifier used during each of the past trips, an icon for each of the past trips having a feature indicating the status of one or more onboard services provided during the past trip, and an additional icon indicating status of onboard services provided during the particular trip; transmitting the interface data to cause a display device to generate/display a viewer.