System and method for displaying runway approach information

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9499279-B2
Application number	US-201414497565-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 26, 2014
Priority date	Sep 26, 2014
Publication date	Nov 22, 2016
Grant date	Nov 22, 2016

Abstract

A system and method are disclosed for indicating to an aircrew of an aircraft an unstable approach to a desired landing. When the energy state of the aircraft exceeds a threshold, a suggested airspeed in consideration of the energy state is displayed. Additionally, a landing spots on a displayed runway are shown indicating where the aircraft would land in view of the energy state and where the aircraft is recommended to land in view of the current aircraft type and weight. A text message may also be displayed that conveys the ability of the aircraft to land.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system for assisting a pilot of an aircraft to fly a stable approach to a landing, the system comprising:
a processor configured to:
determine an aircraft energy state of the aircraft; and
compare the aircraft energy state of the aircraft with a desired stable approach energy state,

a display configured to:
display a first symbol indicating a speed change rate required to obtain a stable approach based on the comparison;
display a runway representation symbol;
display a second symbol on the runway symbol indicating where the aircraft would touch down at the aircraft energy state determined by the processor;
display a third symbol on the runway symbol indicating where the aircraft would touch down at the desired stable approach energy state,
wherein the second symbol overlies the third symbol when the comparison is within a threshold.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor is further configured to:
consider an airspeed, altitude, and distance to the runway of the aircraft when determining the aircraft energy state.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the processor is further configured to:
consider a configuration of the aircraft when determining the aircraft energy state.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the display is further configured to:
display an alert that the approach is unstable when the comparison exceeds the threshold.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the display is further configured to:
display an alert that the pilot should initiate a go-around when the comparison exceeds the threshold.

6. The system of claim 1 further comprising an audio device, wherein the processor is further configured to:
command the audio device to provide an audio alert that the approach is unstable when the comparison exceeds the threshold.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the display is further configured to:
display a predicted stopping distance on the runway at the aircraft energy state when the comparison exceeds the threshold.

8. A system for assisting a pilot of an aircraft to fly a stable approach to a runway, the system comprising:
a processor configured to:
determine an aircraft energy state of the aircraft, the aircraft energy state determined from at least one of an aircraft airspeed, an aircraft altitude above the runway, and an aircraft distance to the runway;
compare the aircraft energy state with a desired stable approach energy state;
determine from the comparison if a threshold is exceeded;
determine an airspeed required by the aircraft to obtain a stable approach;
determine a position on the runway where the aircraft would touchdown if the aircraft energy state is maintained; and
determine a position on the runway where the aircraft would touch down if the desired stable approach energy state is obtained; and

a display configured to:
display an airspeed scale including a first symbol indicating the speed required to obtain a stable approach;
display a runway symbol including a second symbol indicating where the aircraft would touch down at the aircraft energy state; and
display a third symbol on the runway symbol indicating where the aircraft would touch down at the desired stable approach energy state,
wherein the second symbol overlies the third symbol when the comparison is within a threshold.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the processor is further configured to:
consider the configuration of the aircraft when determining the aircraft energy state.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein the display is further configured to:
display an alert that the approach is unstable when the comparison exceeds the threshold.

11. The system of claim 8 wherein the display is further configured to:
display an alert that the pilot should initiate a go-around when the comparison exceeds the threshold.

12. The system of claim 8 further comprising an audio device, wherein the processor is further configured to:
command the audio device to provide an audio alert that the approach is unstable when the comparison exceeds the threshold.

13. The system of claim 8 wherein the display is further configured to:
display a predicted stopping distance on the runway at the aircraft energy state when the comparison exceeds the threshold.

14. A method for assisting a pilot of an aircraft to fly a stable approach to a landing, comprising:
determining via a processor an aircraft energy state of the aircraft;
comparing via the processor the aircraft energy state with a desired stable approach energy state;
if the results of the comparison exceed a threshold:
displaying via a display a first symbol indicating a speed required to obtain a stable approach;
displaying via the display a second symbol on a runway symbol indicating where the aircraft would touch down at the aircraft energy state; and
displaying via the display a third symbol on the runway symbol indicating where the aircraft would touch down at the desired stable approach energy state,
wherein the second symbol overlies the third symbol when the comparison is within the threshold.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising:
considering via the processor the airspeed, altitude, and distance to the runway when determining the aircraft energy state.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising:
considering via the processor the configuration of the aircraft when determining the aircraft energy state.

17. The method of claim 14 further comprising:
displaying via the display an alert that the approach is unstable when the comparison exceeds the threshold.

18. The method of claim 14 further comprising:
displaying via the display an alert that the pilot should initiate a go-around when the comparison exceeds the threshold.

19. The method of claim 14 further comprising:
commanding via the processor an audio device to provide an audio alert that the approach is unstable when the comparison exceeds the threshold.

20. The method of claim 14 further comprising:
displaying via the display a predicted stopping distance on the runway at the aircraft energy state when the comparison exceeds the threshold.

Assignees

• Honeywell Int Inc

Inventors

• He Gang
• Johnson Steve
• Feyereisen Thea L

Classifications

• B64D45/04 Primary

  Landing aids; Safety measures to prevent collision with earth's surface · CPC title

• G08G5/54 Primary

  for approach or landing · CPC title

• G08G5/21 Primary

  located onboard the aircraft · CPC title

• G08G5/025

  Physics · mapped topic

• G08G5/0021

  Physics · mapped topic