425 results about "Flight planning" patented technology

The present invention includes systems and methods which overcome the shortcomings of the prior art by providing improved control of cursor commands directed by a user (such as a pilot). Various embodiments of the invention include such user interface cursor control enhancements as caging, snapping, hysteresis, combinations of 'relative' and 'absolute' cursor data, integration of discrete button movement with continuous cursor movement, and different gain algorithms. The invention may be implemented in a cockpit display, a flight simulator, a graphical flight planning application, or in any other application having a graphical user interface.

A vertical situation display system for use in a vehicle such as, for example, an aircraft, is provided. A side view of an intended route of flight may be shown with altitude restrictions, airspace and instrument approach information, a projected flight path and range to airspeed symbol. The system may show terrain, weather, and traffic information along the intended route of flight. The system may be used in conjunction with a navigational display to enhance situational awareness. The system includes a computer, an electronic display device, an electronic entry device, a memory and a database. The database may contain terrain, airspace and flight planning data and may be updatable.

Embodiments of the invention permit flight paths (current and planned) to be viewed from various orientations to provide improved path and terrain awareness via graphical two-dimensional or three-dimensional perspective display formats. By coupling the flight path information with a terrain database, uncompromising terrain awareness relative to the path and ownship is provided. In addition, missed approaches, path deviations, and any navigational path can be reviewed and rehearsed before performing the actual task. By rehearsing a particular mission, check list items can be reviewed, terrain awareness can be highlighted, and missed approach procedures can be discussed by the flight crew. Further, the use of Controller Pilot Datalink Communications enables data-linked path, flight plan changes, and Air Traffic Control requests to be integrated into the flight display of the present invention.

A flight planning system includes one or more flight management system and a flight plan manager that constructs a flight plan according to static information from the flight management system. A flight management system that also constructs flight plans includes a flight plan manager that constructs a flight plan according to information stored in the flight management system. In constructing the flight plan, either flight management system may compute values of flight plan parameters, such as PNR, PET, ETOPS and LROPS, based on dynamic information related to the flight. On the ground, one of either type of flight management system is selected from a plurality thereof for producing a flight plan for a respective aircraft or aircraft model.

A system is provided for managing the inbound flow of aircraft to an airfield by ensuring that aircraft are sequenced before departure into an arrival stream. Sequencing uses operational data obtained from airlines and then provides a methodology for sharing this data with the air traffic control (ATC) agency. The outcome is a daily arrival schedule providing a predetermined operational arrival time for each aircraft movement. The operational data used by the system relates to airline punctuality, taxi times at departure airfields and actual flight times predicted on a flight-by-flight basis by airline flight planning systems. This information is combined to effect a predictive arrival time at a desired navigational fix.

A display system and method for an aircraft simultaneously displays the terrain under the flight plan, or under the current track of the aircraft, as both a two-dimensional lateral situation view image and as a perspective vertical situation view image. This provides improved tactical flight planning, and that does not erroneously show the flight plan passing through the displayed terrain.

A method for performing performance prediction with respect to a vertical flight plan. A system performs performance prediction with respect to a vertical flight plan of an aircraft that includes determining which vertical flight plan rules of a plurality of vertical flight rules that have been loaded in a predictions processor are active by monitoring for criteria that are used to initiate or terminate one or more of the vertical flight plan rules. Aircraft state is predicted at waypoints along a lateral flight path in view of active vertical flight plan rules, and the predicted aircraft state is updated within an integrated flight plan database that stores prediction performance data associated with the aircraft's flight.

A weather briefing system that may be used in the cockpit to provide near real-time graphic and text weather information. Weather information and pilot reports are fed to the cockpit from, e.g., a satellite in geosynchronous orbit. Once delivered to the aircraft, the system processes the data stream and formats it for delivery to an end user device. The data is collected from an extensive network of sources. The end user device may be a portable electronic flight bag (EFB), panel-mounted display (MFD), or similar device programmed to display the formatted data. The system provides timely and accurate weather information to pilots of all types of aircraft. This information may be used for pre-flight planning and in-flight decision-making.

A noninvasive system for monitoring the oxygen saturation level of a person subjected to reduced atmospheric pressure for avoiding hypoxemia. The system monitors a person's oxygen saturation level, comparing the saturation level to a predetermined level. When the measured saturation level is less than the predetermined level, the person is then supplied with an oxygen mixture for increasing the subject's oxygen saturation level to a safe level. The person's exposed reduced atmospheric pressure is also compared with a predetermined range of pressure levels. If this predetermined range of pressure levels is exceeded or maintained for a predetermined time duration, the person is then supplied with an oxygen mixture. Additionally, a device is provided for performing oxygen flight planning calculations for estimating oxygen usage for a predetermined flight plan that is based on the above system.

Stochastic models of aircraft flight paths and a method for deriving such models from recorded air traffic data. Each stochastic model involves identifying the flight plan for one or more aircraft; identifying important parameters from each flight plan, such as aircraft type, cruise altitude, and airspeed; optionally identifying flight plan amendments for each flight; representing each route of flight as a series of navigational fixes; representing at least one aircraft flight parameter probabilistically; modeling realistic differences in at least one dimension between each planned route of flight and the flight path as it might actually be flown; and communicating the modeled deviations or simulated flight paths to the user. At least one aircraft flight parameter is represented as a random variable with a particular statistical distribution, such as a normal (Gaussian), Laplacian, or logistic distribution; or with a more complex algorithm containing one or more random elements. The modeled flight parameters may be any of lateral position, longitudinal position, climb altitude, descent altitude, climb airspeed, descent airspeed, cruise airspeed, cruise altitude transition, or response time to a flight plan amendment.

The invention relates to a meteorological modelling method for calculating an aircraft flight plan, the aircraft comprising a communication means and a navigation management system.The method comprises at least the following steps: the communication means carries out the acquisition of meteorological prediction data related to waypoints in proximity to the nominal route in addition to the waypoints belonging to the nominal route, the navigation management system allocates by projection onto the current route of the aircraft the prediction data for the said waypoints not belonging to the current route, the navigation management system calculates the meteorological prediction data for the waypoints of the current route of the flight plan according to the prediction data allocated by projection onto the current route of the aircraft.The invention is a modelling method for aircraft navigation management systems.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of transmission tower 10, phase conductors 12, insulators 14, and shield wires 16. They are to be inspected by unmanned aerial vehicle UAV 20 with embedded processor and memory 22, radio 24, location rover 26, and camera 28. Base station 30 has processor and memory 32, radio 34, and location base 36. The relative location between UAV 20 and base station 30 can be accurately calculated by location base 36 and location rover 26 communicating over radios 24 and 34. Camera 28 on UAV 20 is first used to capture two or more orientation images 38 and 39 of tower 10; lines 12 and 16; and insulators 14 from different vantage points. Terrestrial or close-range photogrammetry techniques are used create a three dimensional model of tower 10; lines 12 and 16; and insulators 14. Based on inspection resolution and safety objectives, a standoff distance 50 is determined. Then a flight path with segments for ascent 40, one or more loops 42, 44, 46, and a descent 48 is designed to ensure full inspection coverage via inspection images like 52 and 54.

The general field of the invention relates to a method of calculating a so-called continuous descent approach procedure for aircraft. The method comprises calculation steps making it possible to determine a minimum distance making it possible to attain the runway by using the highest possible descent angles allowed by the performance of the aircraft, a maximum distance making it possible to attain the runway by using the lowest possible descent angles allowed by the performance of the aircraft, a step of comparing the minimum and maximum distances with a reference distance, the continuous descent approach procedure being possible if this reference distance is less than the maximum distance and greater than the minimum distance. The method also envisages replacing certain indeterminate points of the flight plan by points arising from the minimum and maximum distance calculations.

The invention discloses a photogrammetry and remote sensing comprehensive teaching method and a system. The method comprises the following steps that aerial images of a preset flight planning area are obtained and pre-treated, control points are distributed in the flight planning area according to the pretreated aerial images and control point distributing standards, the geographical coordinate measuring is conducted, exterior orientation factors of all the images are obtained by according to the measured geographical coordinate information of the control points and the aerial images by aerial triangulation, relative orientation and absolute orientation are conducted on all the images in an all-digital photogrammetry working station according to the obtained exterior orientation factors of all the images, a three-dimensional model is built, the topography and feature data collection is conducted in the built three-dimensional model, a digital surveying and mapping product is generated according to the collected topography and feature data, and the three-dimensional modeling and space analysis are conducted by using the generated digital surveying and mapping product based on the project application needs. The teaching efficiency can be improved, and the teaching effect can be improved.

A system and method are provided to support accommodating safe integration of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUASs) into the National Airspace Structure in the United States. A specifically-tailored service is provided to address a change of paradigm from aircraft-based avionics / capabilities to a ground-based solution centered on the sUAS control station that is typically employed to manage an sUAS mission and / or flight. Appropriate software, server and system components are integrated into an interactive, easy-to-use, web-based tool that provides interested parties with real-time, graphical flight-following information to acquire position information regarding an sUAS platform from the control console for the sUAS platform. The acquired position information is forwarded to a separate server that can augment and provide graphical display of the sUAS intended route of flight (flight planned route). The acquired position information for the sUAS is converted to a format commonly used by aviation and air traffic control systems.

A method for performing performance prediction with respect to a vertical flight plan. A system performs performance prediction with respect to a vertical flight plan of an aircraft that includes determining which vertical flight plan rules of a plurality of vertical flight rules that have been loaded in a predictions processor are active by monitoring for criteria that are used to initiate or terminate one or more of the vertical flight plan rules. Aircraft state is predicted at waypoints along a lateral flight path in view of active vertical flight plan rules, and the predicted aircraft state is updated within an integrated flight plan database that stores prediction performance data associated with the aircraft's flight.

An target vertical trajectory for a flight plan is produced using aircraft performance characteristics taking into account only the altitude constraints, but ignoring any speed and time constraints. The target vertical trajectory is evaluated for violations of altitude, speed, and time constraints and on the basis of other criteria. An alternative vertical trajectory is generated by randomly changing parts of the target vertical trajectory, and this alternative is likewise evaluated. If the child vertical trajectory has a more robust evaluation, it becomes to new target vertical trajectory; otherwise the previous target vertical trajectory remains in place. The alternative vertical trajectory generation process is performed repeatedly and over time the target vertical trajectory evolves toward an optimum trajectory solution.

The invention discloses a portable unmanned aerial vehicle control box comprising a box body and a power supply. A lower panel and an upper panel are arranged in the box body, and a wireless image transmission system, a wireless data communication system and a wireless control system are arranged in the box body; the wireless image transmission system comprises a wireless image transmission module, a display screen and a video antenna; the wireless data communication system comprises a transmission antenna, a wireless data communication data and wireless signal transmitting module; the wireless control system comprises a control signal antenna, a signal transmitting unit and input equipment; the input equipment comprises a height and direction control module. The portable unmanned aerial vehicle control box has the advantages that an unmanned aerial vehicle can be in communication connection with third party equipment, data of the unmanned aerial vehicle can be monitored in real time by an operator, and security in operation of the unmanned aerial vehicle can be enhanced; meanwhile, the unmanned aerial vehicle can be subjected to flight planning, simpleness in control is achieved, operation of the unmanned aerial vehicle can be simplified, ordinary staff can learn to operate the unmanned aerial vehicle in several days, and the unmanned aerial vehicle can be controlled even being beyond the line of sight range.

Methods and systems are provided for executing a single continuous altitude change by an aircraft to cruise altitude using an electronic flight bag via a flight management system. The method comprises the determination of an altitude change in a flight plan during the cruise phase of the flight plan. Based on the altitude change and a mathematical model of the aircraft an optimum vertical trajectory profile or the aircraft is determined from which an angle of attack (AOA) and a thrust is derived to achieve the optimum vertical trajectory. From the AOA and the thrust, the required aircraft control variables are determined that may be applied to the engines and the control surface actuators of the aircraft.

A method according to an aspect of the present invention includes determining if terrain presents a hazard to an aircraft based on the current position of the aircraft and the intended flight plan for the aircraft and providing an alert if it is determined that the terrain presents a hazard to the aircraft. The method may be employed in any situation to achieve any result, such as when the aircraft is in a low-RNP environment to prevent nuisance terrain alerts.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of transmission tower 10, phase conductors 12, insulators 14, and shield wires 15. They are to be inspected by unmanned aerial vehicle UAV 20 with embedded processor and memory 22, radio 24, location rover 26, and camera 28. Continuously operating reference station 16 has GNSS antenna 17, GNSS receiver 19, and radio 18. The relative location between UAV 20 and reference station 16 can be accurately calculated using location corrections sent by radio 18 to radio 24. Camera 28 on UAV 20 is first used to capture two or more orientation images 38 and 39 of tower 10; lines 12 and 15; and insulators 14 from different vantage points. Terrestrial or close-range photogrammetry techniques are used create a three dimensional model of tower 10; lines 12 and 15; and insulators 14. Based on inspection resolution and safety objectives, a standoff distance 50 is determined. Then a flight path with segments for ascent 40, one or more loops 42, 44, 46, and a descent 48 is designed to ensure full inspection coverage via inspection images like 52 and 54.

A computer-implemented method for managing the data of an aircraft flight plan comprises collecting initial data of an operational flight plan from a flight planning system FPS by an electronic device of electronic flight bag EFB type; converting the initial data and communicating the converted data to the avionics system of the flight management system FMS, the FMS being able to compute an avionic flight plan on the basis of the converted data; and retrieving the avionic flight plan data such as processed by the flight management system FMS. Developments describe notably the verification of the security and / or of the integrity of the converted initial data by means of predefined compliance rules; the emulation of avionics protocols and the use of the encipherment of the data. System aspects and software aspects are described.

A system is provided for managing the inbound flow of aircraft to an airfield by ensuring that aircraft are sequenced before departure into an arrival stream. Sequencing uses operational data obtained from airlines and then provides a methodology for sharing this data with the air traffic control (ATC) agency. The outcome is a daily arrival schedule providing a predetermined operational arrival time for each aircraft movement. The operational data used by the system relates to airline punctuality, taxi times at departure airfields and actual flight times predicted on a flight-by-flight basis by airline flight planning systems. This information is combined to effect a predictive arrival time at a desired navigational fix. When used in conjunction with an optimised sequencing process for the final arrival time, the system then creates a Tactical Arrival Time (TAT) for an individual flight. Airlines share proportionally in a measure of departures from requested TATs, such measures being optionally weighted.

A flight guidance and navigation display (10) for a helicopter, includes a three-dimensional, semicircular flight guidance and navigation tunnel (12) to display a planned flight path of the helicopter; a circular surface (14), which is integrated in the flight guidance and navigation tunnel (12), which circular surface (14) includes a diameter that corresponds to that of the flight guidance and navigation tunnel (12), for displaying a longitudinal position within the flight guidance and navigation tunnel (12); a flight path prediction icon (16) for displaying a position of the helicopter relative to the flight guidance and navigation tunnel (12); and a command signal (18) that relates to the air speed, wherein via the command signal (18) a deviation from a reference speed that has been predetermined by flight planning is displayed.

A method of generating a recommendation of terms of an aircraft services contract is disclosed. Operations data pertaining to a planned usage of each aircraft of a fleet of aircraft is received. The operations data pertains to the fleet of aircraft for which an aircraft services customer seeks to enter into a services contract with an aircraft services provider. The operations data includes flight schedule data and flight policy data specific to each of the aircraft. Historical data pertaining to actual usage of other fleets of aircraft with respect to the flight schedule data and the flight policy data is analyzed. The analyzing includes generating an estimation of a risk associated with the services contract from the perspective of the aircraft services provider. An acceptable price for the services contract is generated such that the risk is mitigated from the perspective of the services provider. The terms pertaining to the service contract are communicated for presentation in a user interface. The terms include the acceptable price with respect to the operations data and the flight policy data.

A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for displaying flight plan data. First level flight plan data is displayed and user input is received selecting a selection of a portion of the first level flight plan data. In response to receiving the selection of the portion of the first level flight plan data, second level flight plan data is displayed, wherein the second level flight plan data displayed is used to derive the selected portion of the first level flight plan data selected by the user input.

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for scheduling aircraft maintenance events. One system includes a user interface and at least one processor. The system is configured to receive an indication that an unscheduled maintenance event for an aircraft is to be scheduled, and to determine, using the at least one processor, a maintenance schedule for completing the unscheduled maintenance event on the aircraft, a modified flight schedule for the aircraft, and a modified aircraft schedule for the aircraft based on the unscheduled maintenance event, an initial flight schedule, an initial aircraft schedule, and at least one selectable parameter indicative of user preferences to reduce a total cost of operating the at least one aircraft. The system is configured to provide at least one of the maintenance schedule, the modified flight schedule, and the modified aircraft schedule to the user interface.

A vertical situation display system for use in a vehicle such as, for example, an aircraft, is provided. A side view of an intended route of flight may be shown with altitude restrictions, airspace and instrument approach information, a projected flight path and range to airspeed symbol. The system may show terrain, weather, and traffic information along the intended route of flight. The system may be used in conjunction with a navigational display to enhance situational awareness. The system includes a computer, an electronic display device, an electronic entry device, a memory and a database. The database may contain terrain, airspace and flight planning data and may be updatable.