A method and system for automating the de-icing/anti-icing of an aircraft that includes the generation of a treatment plan that incudes input from at least one weather source. The treatment plan may then be reviewed by a pilot to any updates. After being finalized, the treatment plan is distributed to at least one de-icing vehicle to perform the de-icing/anti-icing of the aircraft. During execution of the de-icing/anti-icing, real-time updates may be provided by the system to the pilot of the aircraft.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to synchronization of a ground support vehicle with a taxiing aircraft, so as to provide ground support services during taxi operation. After landing, a taxiing aircraft obtains a parking destination from a ground traffic controller. A first navigational route from a first location of the taxiing aircraft to the parking destination is determined. The taxiing aircraft transmits a signal indicative of the first navigational route to the ground support vehicle. A second navigational route of the ground support vehicle is determined so as to intercept the taxiing aircraft. The ground support vehicle navigates according to the determined second navigational route, and couples to the taxiing aircraft at a coupling location common to both the first and the second navigational routes. The ground support vehicle provides ground support service during continued navigation according to a coupled portion of the first navigational route.

Provided is an aircraft docking guidance system using a three-dimensional (3D) laser scanner, including a laser scanner configured to acquire data related to aircraft docking guidance and docking control; a database configured to store information related to specifications and characteristics of each aircraft type that is a target of the aircraft docking guidance and docking control using the laser scanner; a communicator configured to transmit and receive information between the laser scanner and the database; and a data analysis decision algorithm processing unit configured to determine information of an object by comparing image information acquired through the laser scanner and information stored in the database.

Methods, devices, and systems for aircraft identification are described herein. In some examples, one or more embodiments include a computing device comprising a memory and a processor to execute instructions stored in the memory to simulate virtual light detection and ranging (Lidar) sensor data for a three-dimensional (3D) model of an aircraft type to generate a first point cloud corresponding to the 3D model of the aircraft type, generate a classification model utilizing the simulated virtual Lidar sensor data of the 3D model of the aircraft type, and identify a type and/or sub-type of an incoming aircraft at an airport by receiving, from a Lidar sensor at the airport, Lidar sensor data for the incoming aircraft, generating a second point cloud corresponding to the incoming aircraft utilizing the Lidar sensor data for the incoming aircraft, and classifying the second point cloud corresponding to the incoming aircraft using the classification model.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to ranging object(s) nearby an aircraft using triangulation. A light projector mounted at a projector location on the aircraft projects pulses of polarized light onto the scene external to the aircraft. The projected pulses of polarized light are polarized in a first polarization state. A camera mounted at a camera location on the aircraft has a shutter synchronized to the projector output pulse and receives a portion of the projected pulses of polarized light reflected by the object(s) in the scene and polarized at a second polarization state orthogonal to the first polarization state. Location(s) and/or range(s) of the object(s) is calculated, based on the projector location, the camera location, and pixel location(s) upon which the portion of light is imaged.

A runway-embedded flash lighting device, including: a body; a ceiling member; a light guide member; and an LED flash light source, wherein the body is configured to be embedded in a runway, the ceiling member is disposed in an upper opening of the body and configured to be exposed to a runway surface when the body is embedded in the runway, the ceiling member includes a flash emission window, the light guide member is disposed in the flash emission window, the LED flash light source is disposed inside the body and configured to emit a flash toward the light guide member, and the light guide member is configured to allow the flash emitted from the LED flash light source to be emitted from the flash emission window to outside the runway-embedded flash lighting device.

A runway-embedded flash lighting device, including: a body; a ceiling member; a light guide member; and an LED flash light source, wherein the body is configured to be embedded in a runway, the ceiling member is disposed in an upper opening of the body and configured to be exposed to a runway surface when the body is embedded in the runway, the ceiling member includes a flash emission window, the light guide member is disposed in the flash emission window, the LED flash light source is disposed inside the body and configured to emit a flash toward the light guide member, and the light guide member is configured to allow the flash emitted from the LED flash light source to be emitted from the flash emission window to outside the runway-embedded flash lighting device.

An assistance vehicle designed for supplying electrical energy to an electric taxiing device of an aircraft landing gear when the aircraft is moving over the ground. The assistance vehicle includes an autonomous energy source, a connector enabling it to be coupled to the aircraft and to electrically power the electric taxiing device. When an assistance instruction comprising the aircraft position is received, the assistance vehicle moves in an autonomous manner so as to reach the position of the aircraft, is automatically connected to the electric taxiing device when the assistance vehicle reaches the position of the aircraft and switches into freewheeling mode. When the assisted move has finished, the assistance vehicle is separated from the electric taxiing device and switches back into tractor mode. Thus, the electrical power supply system of the aircraft is simplified by externalizing the electrical supply of the electric taxiing device.

A method for assisting a pilot to navigate an aircraft when taxiing is disclosed. A centre line of a route, conformal to outside scenery, is displayed on an eyes out screen associated with the pilot. A pictorial indication of the alignment of the undercarriage with the centre line is displayed on the eyes out screen. Further graphical information related to the navigation is displayed on the eyes out screen.

A method for docking a boarding bridge with an aircraft, an electronic equipment and a storage medium are provided. The method includes: planning a path from a position at which a bridgehead is located when the boarding bridge is at a parking position to a pre-docking position which is 1 to 2 meters away from a cabin door of the aircraft, driving the boarding bridge to move the bridgehead towards the pre-docking position along the path until the bridgehead moves to a position within 2 meters away from the pre-docking position; acquiring an aircraft image of the aircraft, obtaining a spatial position of the cabin door according to the aircraft image, and moving the boarding bridge according to the spatial position to enable the bridgehead to dock with the cabin door.