Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090157240 | ADVISORY SYSTEM TO AID PILOT RECOVERY FROM SPATIAL DISORIENTATION DURING AN EXCESSIVE ROLL - Systems and methods for outputting instructions when a vehicle is not responding to a roll-angle alert. An example system includes one or more altitude sensors that determine one of altitude above ground level or barometric altitude, one or more roll-angle sensors that determine the roll-angle of the vehicle, and a processor. The processor receives the altitude and roll-angle information, determines if an excessive roll-angle condition exists based on the received altitude and roll-angle information, and generates a roll-angle alert signal if a roll-angle alert condition exists. The processor generates a roll-direction signal based upon vehicle position relative to the horizon and outputs the determined roll-direction signal via the one or more output devices, if one of the condition still exists after the time delay, the vehicle roll-angle has deteriorated away from the desired threshold, or the roll-angle rate is greater than a roll-angle rate threshold. | 06-18-2009 |
20090265090 | GROUND OPERATIONS AND ADVANCED RUNWAY AWARENESS AND ADVISORY SYSTEM - A device, method and computer program product for locating aircraft with respect to airport runways and taxiways, determining if a conflict exists between an aircraft having operating the invention and another aircraft, and generating and annunciating conflict awareness advisories as a function of determining that a conflict exists. | 10-22-2009 |
20090319105 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMPROVING PILOT SITUATIONAL AWARENESS DURING FLARE TO TOUCHDOWN - A system and method for selectively alerting a pilot of an aircraft about distance remaining to the end of a runway. A position of the aircraft is received. A position of a runway is retrieved from a runway database. The retrieved position of the runway is compared to the received position of the aircraft to determine if the aircraft is within an alert envelope relative to the retrieved position of the runway. The position of the runway is subtracted from the position of the aircraft to determine a distance to the distal end of the runway. An alert to the pilot is generated based upon the distance to the distal end of the runway. | 12-24-2009 |
20100030408 | INTEGRATED INCORRECT TAKE-OFF-SETTING ALERTING SYSTEM - A system implementable in an aircraft for generating a warning includes a processor, a first component configured to receive from a user a desired aircraft control-surface takeoff configuration, a second component configured to provide to the processor a first signal indicative of a current control-surface configuration of the aircraft, and a third component configured to provide to the processor a second signal indicative of the position of the aircraft. The processor may be configured to compare the aircraft position to the contents of a database, determine, based on the comparison, whether the aircraft is on a departure runway from which the aircraft is to depart, and generate an alarm if the aircraft is on the departure runway and the current control-surface configuration is different from the desired control-surface takeoff configuration. | 02-04-2010 |
20100036550 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPROVING PILOT SITUATIONAL AWARENESS DURING LANDING - Systems and methods for generating an alert to the pilot of an aircraft during a deep/long landing situation. An example system includes a database that stores runway information, a position sensor that produces aircraft position information and a processor that is in data communication with the database and the position sensor. The processor includes an advisory condition detection component that compares altitude of the aircraft to a predefined altitude limit, determines if the aircraft is beyond an airline defined landing zone limit and not on the ground, and generates an alert to the pilot based upon the comparison and the determination. An output device outputs the generated alert. The airline defined landing zone limit is a fixed distance value from the approach end of a runway or a percentage of the total length of a runway, whichever allows for greatest amount of runway remaining. | 02-11-2010 |
20100194599 | FLAPS OVERSPEED ADVISORY SYSTEM - A flap advisory system provides an advisory to a pilot informing that a speed of the aircraft should be attended to because of a current or desired flap setting. More specifically, the flap advisory system compares a measured airspeed of the aircraft either directly to a flap placard speed or to a marginal speed range set below the flap placard speed for a given flap setting. If the measured airspeed is determined to be excessive then the system provides an advisory indicating the airspeed is too fast. Further, the system may provide an advisory when a movement of a flap handle is detected such that continued movement of the flap handle would place the flaps in a setting that is inappropriate for the measured airspeed. | 08-05-2010 |
20100198432 | STABLE APPROACH MONITOR (SAM) SYSTEM - An improved stable approach monitor (SAM) system provides an audible advisory to a pilot when an aircraft is on a final landing approach. More specifically, the SAM system compares a measured airspeed of the aircraft to a predetermined flap placard speed. If the measured airspeed exceeds the predetermined flap placard speed then the improved SAM system provides an audible advisory indicating the airspeed of the aircraft is too fast. Advantageously, this audible advisory should prevent the pilot from attempting to deploy the flaps at an excessive airspeed and in turn focuses the pilot's attention on the problem at hand, which would be to reduce the airspeed of the aircraft. Once the airspeed is equal to or below the predetermined flap placard speed, the improved SAM system may provide another audible advisory informing the pilot to commence deployment of the flaps. | 08-05-2010 |
20120038493 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REAL-TIME DATA LOGGING OF AN ENHANCED GROUND PROXIMITY SYSTEM - Systems and methods for performing efficient, inexpensive data logging of aircraft sensor data. An example system on board an aircraft includes a plurality of data sources that provide sensor data associated with a plurality of avionic components, a line replaceable processing unit that is in signal communication with the plurality of data sources via one or more databuses, a wireless router connected to the line replaceable processing unit via a data cable and a portable data unit in wireless data communication with the wireless router. The wireless router receives at least a portion of the sensor data from the line replaceable processing unit and sends the received sensor data to the portable data unit. | 02-16-2012 |
20120200433 | AIRPORT TAXIWAY COLLISION ALERTING SYSTEM - Systems and methods for alerting a flight crew if a taxiing collision condition exists. An exemplary system on a host vehicle determines one or more first protection zones around other vehicles on the ground based on the received information about the other vehicles, determines a second protection zone around the host vehicle based on the stored information about the host vehicle and the sensor information and generates an alert, if any of the first protection zones occupies at least a portion of the same geographic area as the second protection zone. The received information includes position, ground speed, vehicle type information and heading or track information. The protection zones include a width dimension that is based on vehicle size information, a base length dimension that is based on the size information, and a variable component of the length dimension that is based on the ground speed. | 08-09-2012 |
20130138248 | THOUGHT ENABLED HANDS-FREE CONTROL OF MULTIPLE DEGREE-OF-FREEDOM SYSTEMS - Systems and methods are provided for controlling a multiple degree-of-freedom system. Plural stimuli are provided to a user, and steady state visual evoked response potential (SSVEP) signals are obtained from the user. The SSVEP signals are processed to generate a system command. Component commands are generated based on the system command, the plurality of components commands causing the multiple degree-of-freedom system to implement the system command. | 05-30-2013 |
20130179060 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETECTING OWNSHIP DEVIATION FROM ASSIGNED TAXIWAY CLEARANCE - Systems and methods for identifying ownship deviation from assigned taxi-clearance in the area of taxiway intersection. An exemplary system provides alerts in the event of a significant deviation from the assigned clearance, but does not give unwanted alerts when the flight crew is performing normal turning maneuvers in the area of an intersection. | 07-11-2013 |
20140062729 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPROVING RUNWAY STATUS AWARENESS - An apparatus, method and computer program product for generating and annunciating to a flight crew if they are on or approaching a closed runway. The present invention alerts the pilot to operations on closed runways with appropriate and non-misleading information, thus allowing the pilot to make better decisions. | 03-06-2014 |
20140214246 | ELECTRONIC FLIGHT BAG SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR VERIFYING CORRECT TAKEOFF PERFORMANCE DATA ENTRY - Systems and methods for verifying that the flight crew has not made an error in entering takeoff flight performance data into the flight management system (FMS) using the electronic flight bag (EFB). The EFB includes a user interface that receives basic flight plan information and a processor. The processor automatically receives calculated takeoff performance data based on a previously entered basic flight plan, automatically receives user-entered takeoff performance data from a flight management system (FMS) located on a host aircraft, automatically compares the calculated takeoff performance data to the received takeoff performance data, and generates an entry error indication, if the comparison indicates that at least a portion of the entered takeoff performance data does not match the calculated takeoff performance data. An output device outputs the generated entry error indication. | 07-31-2014 |
20140218216 | AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ATTITUDE RECOVERY - A vehicle system is provided. The system includes a processor configured to receive data representative of a current attitude and a desired attitude and to generate display signals associated with the current attitude and the desired attitude. The system further includes a display device configured to receive the display signals and operable to selectively render an image including roll angle alert symbology. The roll angle alert symbology includes a first curved arrow. | 08-07-2014 |
20140368359 | FLIGHT DECK DISPLAY SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR VISUALLY INDICATING LOW SPEED CHANGE CONDITIONS DURING TAKEOFF AND LANDING - Embodiments of a flight deck display system deployed onboard an aircraft are provided, as are embodiments of a method carried-out by a flight deck display system. In one embodiment, the flight deck display system includes a cockpit display device and a controller. The controller is configured to: (i) establish the speed trend of the aircraft over a predetermined time period; (ii) generate a primary flight display on the cockpit display device including a speed trend vector graphic representative of the established speed trend; and (iii) alter the appearance of the speed trend vector graphic in a first predetermined manner if a low speed change condition is detected during at least one of aircraft takeoff and landing. | 12-18-2014 |
20150022380 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING MODEL-BASED ALERTING OF SPATIAL DISORIENTATION TO A PILOT - A system and method monitor aircraft state parameters, for example, aircraft movement and flight parameters, applies those inputs to a spatial disorientation model, and makes a prediction of when pilot may become spatially disoriented. Once the system predicts a potentially disoriented pilot, the sensitivity for alerting the pilot to conditions exceeding a threshold can be increased and allow for an earlier alert to mitigate the possibility of an incorrect control input. | 01-22-2015 |
20150088342 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING AND DISPLAYING WAKE TURBULENCE - A system and method to display, when within an envelope of an ownship's flight path, a symbol representing wake turbulence from another aircraft based on aircraft type and flight parameters received from the other aircraft, the symbol being formatted to indicate the severity of portions of the wake turbulence. The format is modified periodically in accordance with the aircraft's flight path and a decay rate of the wake turbulence. | 03-26-2015 |
20150112517 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MODULATING ALERTS FOR AN INTENDED RUNWAY - A system and method provide an alert to a pilot of an aircraft aurally with a given volume and inflection, and/or visually with a text message which includes color, font, and pitch (size). The alert is rendered in distinct fashion for the expected and unexpected cases, e.g., an intended runway and an unintended runway. In a preferred embodiment, the alert for the intended runway is changed to a confirmation level, or one that is less likely to interfere with other information flow, while the alert for the unintended runway would be provided in a more conspicuous manner. | 04-23-2015 |
20150127196 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ALERTING OF REMAINING RUNWAY UPON LANDING BASED ON DECELERATION - A system and method are provided for alerting of remaining runway based on deceleration, following, for example, a landing or discontinued takeoff. An advisory system compares the current aircraft deceleration value to a predetermined threshold value when proceeding down the runway. If the current aircraft deceleration is less than the threshold value, the runway distance remaining callouts are triggered. | 05-07-2015 |
20150146008 | MAINTENANCE ASSISTANT SYSTEM - A maintenance assistance system and method of operating are provided. The maintenance assistance system may include, but is not limited to, a camera, a speaker, a technician marker, a memory configured to store a location of a plurality of tags and a location of at least one component relative to at least one of the plurality of tags, and a processor communicatively coupled to the camera, the speaker and the memory, the processor configured to receive an indication of one of the components, determine a location of the technician marker relative to the location of the indicated component based upon data from the camera and the location of the indicated component relative to the at least one of the plurality of tags, and output position information to the speaker based upon the determined location of the technician marker relative to the location of the indicated component. | 05-28-2015 |
20150213721 | PASSIVE AIRCRAFT WINGTIP STRIKE DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system and method for passively detecting aircraft wingtip strikes includes generating a digital base map represented by a plurality of aerodrome cells. A numeric value is assigned to each of the aerodrome cells that is representative of the specific wingtip strike threat associated with that aerodrome cell. An index count array is generated that has a separate entry for each numeric value. A digital aircraft structure is generated that is representative of an aircraft, and is represented by a plurality of aircraft cells. A portion of the aerodrome cells are replaced with the plurality of aircraft cells. Each numeric value of the aerodrome cells that are replaced is counted to determine a replacement count associated therewith and that is entered into the separate entry in the index count array for that numeric value. One or more potential aircraft wingtip strikes are detected based on the replacement counts. | 07-30-2015 |
20150243174 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RUNWAY SELECTION THROUGH SCORING - A system and method for selecting a runway, comprises retrieving runway feature data and aircraft data including aircraft heading with respect to the bearing of first and second runways. Runway boundary envelopes are created for each of the first and second runways, each having a predetermined score. A total score for each of the first and second runways is compared to determine which of the runways is selected. | 08-27-2015 |
20150294573 | RUNWAY LOCATION DETERMINATION - In some examples described herein, a runway location is determined based on aircraft state information from at least one aircraft. For example, a processor may determine the coordinates of one or more points of a runway based on aircraft state information generated by one or more aircraft using the runway. In some examples, the processor may aggregate coordinates determined from the aircraft state information provided by a plurality of different aircraft in order to determine the location of the runway. The processor can be located onboard an aircraft providing the state information, onboard a different aircraft, or external to any aircraft. | 10-15-2015 |
20150298821 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MODULATING PREMATURE DESCENT PROTECTION ENVELOPE - A system and method are provided for modifying the position or shape of a premature descent protection envelope with regard to a runway when an aircraft making an approach to the runway is below the nominal approach path and has a flight path angle greater than the nominal approach path angle. | 10-22-2015 |
20150321748 | SPEED BRAKE ALERTING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system and method is provided for controlling the speed of an aircraft with a speed brake during landing. The system includes a speed brake control system and a speed brake controller coupled to the speed brake control system for arming the speed brake. An alert generator is coupled to the speed brake controller for generating an alert when the speed brake is not armed. | 11-12-2015 |
20150325047 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING AUGMENTED REALITY FOR MAINTENANCE APPLICATIONS - A method for providing maintenance instructions to a user is provided. The method obtains a set of data, comprising maintenance instructions, macrolocation data, and object recognition characteristics associated with a target apparatus; guides the user to a macrolocation and a microlocation of the target apparatus, based on the obtained set of data; and provides the maintenance instructions associated with the target apparatus, when the user has reached the macrolocation and the microlocation. | 11-12-2015 |
20150325131 | PASSIVE AIRCRAFT WINGTIP STRIKE DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system and method for passively detecting aircraft wingtip strikes includes generating a digital base map represented by a plurality of aerodrome cells. A numeric value representative of the specific wingtip is assigned to each of the aerodrome cells. An index count array is generated that has a separate entry for each numeric value. A digital aircraft structure representative of an aircraft is generated, and is represented by a plurality of aircraft cells. A determination is made as to whether a portion of the aerodrome cells are or would be replaced with the plurality of aircraft cells. Each numeric value of the aerodrome cells that are or would be replaced is counted to determine a replacement count associated therewith and that is entered into the separate entry in the index count array for that numeric value. One or more potential aircraft wingtip strikes are detected based on the replacement counts. | 11-12-2015 |