A flight management system may include a processor, a memory, a network communication interface, and a flexible data interface stored in the memory and executable by the processor. The flexible data interface is typically configured for providing an abstract data interface layer; retrieving, via the abstract data interface layer, data stored in the memory of the flight management system; and transmitting, via the network communication device, the data to a peripheral device in network communication with the flight management system.

Example air vehicle navigation systems and methods are described herein that utilize a Common Runtime Aircraft Intent Data Structure (CRAIDS). An example method includes determining an initial condition of a flight of an air vehicle, determining a flight constraint, determining, using a common runtime aircraft intent data structure (CRAIDS), an aircraft trajectory based on the initial condition and the flight constraint, and performing the determined aircraft trajectory during the flight of the air vehicle.

Method and apparatus for planning and modifying a vehicle operation plan. A vehicle operation plan for a vehicle schedule is determined based on performance constraints of the vehicle and an operational rule file that defines operational restrictions on the vehicle based on states of the vehicle. In the event a state changes from a planned state, the vehicle automatically and autonomously recalculates the vehicle operation plan in a manner that satisfies the performance constraints and the operational restrictions.

A method comprises determining an occupancy grid of an area for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) navigation. The method further comprises determining, based on the occupancy grid, a candidate flyable airspace through which to permit UAV navigation and determining, by a UAV route planner, a plurality of UAV flight paths through the candidate flyable airspace. The method further comprises determining, based on the occupancy grid, a probability value of the plurality of UAV flight paths intersecting an occupied volume. The method additionally comprises determining whether the probability value of the plurality of UAV flight paths intersecting the occupied volume is below a threshold value and, based on determining that the probability value of the plurality of UAV flight paths intersecting the occupied volume is below the threshold value, validating the candidate flyable airspace for the UAV route planner to plan a route for a UAV to navigate through the area.

A flight management system that manages flight of an unmanned aircraft flying according to a flight plan. The flight management system including at least one unmanned aircraft that holds shared information in which transmission information including identification information, position information, and time information about the unmanned aircraft and flight plan information including a flight plan are associated with each other and that flies according to the flight plan while transmitting the transmission information at a predetermined timing, and a flight management device that shares the shared information with the unmanned aircraft to be managed and that acquires the transmission information transmitted from the unmanned aircraft flying according to the flight plan to update the shared information.

A flight management system that manages flight of an unmanned aircraft flying according to a flight plan. The flight management system including at least one unmanned aircraft that holds shared information in which transmission information including identification information, position information, and time information about the unmanned aircraft and flight plan information including a flight plan are associated with each other and that flies according to the flight plan while transmitting the transmission information at a predetermined timing, and a flight management device that shares the shared information with the unmanned aircraft to be managed and that acquires the transmission information transmitted from the unmanned aircraft flying according to the flight plan to update the shared information.

Aircraft systems and methods are provided for assisting sequencing of aircraft by providing conditional estimated arrival times for short arrivals or early clearances. One method involves identifying a geographic location associated with a merge point for an approach to an airport associated with a flight plan for an aircraft, determining an alternative lateral trajectory for the aircraft from a second geographic location along a sequencing route between arrival and the merge point, determining a conditional estimated arrival time for the aircraft at the merge point based at least in part on the alternative lateral trajectory, and transmitting a message including the conditional estimated arrival time for the aircraft to an external computing system.

An emergency detection and resolution system for alerting users of available options given a particular emergency (and set of flight conditions). The system may assist the pilot (crew) in resolving or reducing the urgency of an emergency or in executing a proposed solution to a given emergency, or may direct the aircraft autopilot in executing the suggested (and selected) solution. In either case, the system of the present invention provides the pilot with time to consider an emergency and its resolution (while the aircraft is directed toward a safe configuration or flight condition). The present invention may also ascertain the configuration of an aircraft from changes in the aircraft's position over time, or update an aircraft in preparation for a particular flight or flight condition.

An emergency detection and resolution system for alerting users of available options given a particular emergency (and set of flight conditions). The system may assist the pilot (crew) in resolving or reducing the urgency of an emergency or in executing a proposed solution to a given emergency, or may direct the aircraft autopilot in executing the suggested (and selected) solution. In either case, the system of the present invention provides the pilot with time to consider an emergency and its resolution (while the aircraft is directed toward a safe configuration or flight condition). The present invention may also ascertain the configuration of an aircraft from changes in the aircraft's position over time, or update an aircraft in preparation for a particular flight or flight condition.

Systems and methods are disclosed for transporting people using air vehicles.