A method includes generating a first flight management computer (FMC) data request at a data capture component of a control display unit (CDU). The method includes sending the first FMC data request from the data capture component of the CDU to the FMC. The method also includes receiving, at the data capture component of the CDU, first FMC data from the FMC responsive to the first FMC data request. The method further includes sending the first FMC data from the CDU to a portable electronic device via a wireless interface of the CDU.

Disclosed is a configuration to control automatic return of an aerial vehicle. The configuration stores a return location in a storage device of the aerial vehicle. The return location may correspond to a location where the aerial vehicle is to return. One or more sensors of the aerial vehicle are monitored during flight for detection of a predefined condition. When a predetermined condition is met a return path program may be loaded for execution to provide a return flight path for the aerial vehicle to automatically navigate to the return location.

A dynamic constraint avoidance route system automatically analyzes routes of aircraft flying, or to be flown, in or near constraint regions and attempts to find more time and fuel efficient reroutes around current and predicted constraints. The dynamic constraint avoidance route system continuously analyzes all flight routes and provides reroute advisories that are dynamically updated in real time. The dynamic constraint avoidance route system includes a graphical user interface that allows users to visualize, evaluate, modify if necessary, and implement proposed reroutes.

Systems and methods for improving the reception and delivery of an In-Trail Procedures (ITP) altitude change request. An example system located on board a host aircraft includes a communication component, a display device and a processor unit that is in signal communication with the communication component and the display device. The processor unit presents a user interface on the display device. The user interface includes a plurality of fields for receiving In-Trail Procedures (ITP) altitude change request information. The processor sends the ITP altitude change request information received within the plurality of fields to an Air Traffic Control (ATC) facility via the communication component. An ITP unit having a display receives an altitude selection and presents ITP altitude change request information if the received altitude selection is determined to be valid.

A method of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operation, including: receiving from a customer a first data request, the first data request having: a first geographic coverage area; and a refresh rate for the first geographic coverage area; planning a first plurality of flight missions to accomplish the first data request; uploading flight missions data representing the first plurality of flight missions into a UAV pod; and deploying the UAV pod

Embodiments include method, systems and computer program products for route planning to reduce exposure to radiation. Aspects include receiving an origin and a destination for a vehicle and determining a plurality of available routes between the origin and the destination. Aspects also include calculating, by a processor, a radiation score for each of the plurality of available routes and presenting one or more of the plurality of available routes with an expected travel time and the radiation score for each of the plurality of available routes.

A drone control apparatus and method are disclosed. The drone control apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a communication unit that communicates with a drone operation system and a drone over a wireless communication network, a storage unit that stores radio wave environment information of the wireless communication network according to a spatial position, and flight restriction information, and a determination unit that determines a flight path and a flight altitude of the drone based on a radio map, the flight restriction information, and a departure and a destination of the drone received from the drone operation system, and transmits the flight path and the flight altitude to at least one of the drone and the drone operation system via the communication unit.

Flight safety and air vehicle deconfliction are of paramount concern in the operation of manned aircraft. The introduction of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in quickly growing numbers raises the risks of mid-air collisions, near misses, and diversions from intended flight paths. This application discloses a series of linked process whereby such risks may be significantly reduced and may enable the safe integration of UAVs into the national airspaces of the United States and other nations. The disclosed process allows emergency responders and others to declare an emergency air operations zone (perhaps near the expected landing spot of a medivac helicopter) and notify UAV operators in the vicinity of that zone of the emergency and suggested or mandated actions for the UAV operators to take (i.e., land your airframe as soon as possible, do not approach this spot, be alert for emergency aircraft, etc.). The emergency or priority zone would be limited in location and time. The notifications are made to UAV operators either through an application running on a mobile phone or other connected device or by calls, texts, or other alerts to such devices. The process has uses beyond providing priority to emergency services. For example, a city could provide priority airspace to a film crew using UAVs and notify other UAV users to keep clear of a particular area for a limited time.

A determination device according to one embodiment includes an acquiring unit (231) and a determination unit (233). The acquiring unit (231) acquires positional information that is related to a terminal device installed at an arbitrary location serving as a reference for a path of an air vehicle and that is calculated on the basis of correction information that includes information on coordinates of a reference station associated with an area in which the terminal device is positioned and information based on a satellite signal received by the reference station. The determination unit (233) determines a flight path of the air vehicle on the basis of the positional information acquired by the acquiring unit.

A determination device according to one embodiment includes an acquiring unit (231) and a determination unit (233). The acquiring unit (231) acquires positional information that is related to a terminal device installed at an arbitrary location serving as a reference for a path of an air vehicle and that is calculated on the basis of correction information that includes information on coordinates of a reference station associated with an area in which the terminal device is positioned and information based on a satellite signal received by the reference station. The determination unit (233) determines a flight path of the air vehicle on the basis of the positional information acquired by the acquiring unit.