Method and system for assisting operation to be performed in aircraft during movement phase on ground in airport

Abstract

A method and system for assisting operations to be performed in an aircraft during a movement phase on the ground in an airport is provided. The method comprises: for at least one movement phase on the ground performed in an airport by an aircraft in a fleet, obtaining data each representing an event in a list of events, as well as a geolocation point of said event and a condition of the movement phase on the ground; for at least one route, an incidence of each event implemented on the route is determined (512) for each geo-location point only based on the data that conditions of the movement phase on the ground meet predefined criteria. The method includes providing data representative of the determined incidence and the associated geolocation points. Accordingly, decisions on assumed ideal locations for performing operations can be easily made based on previous events.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for assisting operations to be carried out in an aircraft during a phase of movement on the ground in an airport, and to a method implemented by said system. The invention relates in particular to the field of assisting in making decisions on operations to be carried out while moving on the ground, and aims at displaying a graphical representation of a taxiway of an airport, allowing viewing of a plurality of identical events carried out during previous phases of movement on the ground of a fleet of aircraft at each geographical location of the airport. Background Art

[0002] In an airport, an aircraft moves on the ground during a phase of movement on the ground, such as a taxiing phase, or a phase of movement on a take-off or landing runway, either before take-off or after landing. This movement on the ground allows the aircraft to travel a certain distance between a starting point, such as a gate in the case of take-off, and a terminal, such as a runway threshold in the case of take-off. In order to travel said distance and prepare the aircraft for take-off or allow it to stop, several operations must be performed. However, some of these operations must be initiated between the starting point and the terminal at an optimal time that makes it possible, for example, to limit costs, fuel consumption, wear of consumables (such as brakes and tires), or the time spent between the starting point and the take-off.

[0003] In particular, the phase of movement on the ground does not require the activation of both propulsion engines of the aircraft, since a single propulsion engine is sufficient to allow the aircraft to move on the ground. Thus, the activation of only one propulsion engine allows fuel to be saved. However, the aircraft takes off requiring the second propulsion engine to be started and ready. In other words, a warm-up time is required between the activation of the second propulsion engine and the take-off. Therefore, the operation of activating the second propulsion engine must be performed at an optimal time between the starting point and the end point, in order to save fuel while minimizing the waiting time at the threshold or stopping point of the runway.

[0004] However, such an optimal time may prove difficult to determine, in particular due to the taxiway configurations that vary greatly between airports. Furthermore, the time required to travel an airport's taxiways may vary depending on peculiarities related to the climate, the busyness of the airport, or even to the airport's traffic regulations. It is therefore difficult for pilots to determine when, and therefore where in the airport to perform the maneuver in question.

[0005] It would therefore be desirable to alleviate these shortcomings of the prior art.

[0006] It is particularly desirable to provide a solution that makes it possible to assist in making decisions regarding where to perform operations in an airport. Summary of the invention

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a method for assisting operations to be carried out in an aircraft on the ground in an airport, the method comprising: obtaining, for at least one movement phase on the ground performed by an aircraft of an aircraft fleet in a given airport and according to the route travelled, one or more data each representing an event achieved during the movement phase on the ground, and a geographical location point where the event is achieved, the event being selected from a list of predefined events; obtaining, in association with each data representing an event, at least one data on one or more conditions of the movement phase on the ground; determining, for at least one predetermined route, based on the one or more data obtained, for each geographical location point, the occurrence rate of each predefined event achieved during the movement phase on the ground along the predetermined route, the occurrence rate of each predefined event being determined only on the basis that at least one condition of the movement phase on the ground satisfies at least one predefined criterion; and providing data representing at least one determined occurrence rate and at least one geographical location point associated with said occurrence rate.

[0008] Thus, the occurrence rate of predefined events previously achieved by other aircraft during movement phases on the ground in the same airport can be easily determined and the achieved positions can be determined. This allows the pilot to easily make decisions about the assumed ideal position for performing the maneuver based on previous events.

[0009] According to a specific embodiment, providing data representative of at least one determined incidence and at least one geographical location associated with said incidence comprises generating a graphical representation of each determined incidence via superposition on a map of a taxiway of the airport.

[0010] According to a specific embodiment, the method further comprises determining, for a given starting point and a given end point, a traffic occurrence rate of at least one aircraft in the fleet for each geo-location point of at least one route travelled during a movement phase on the ground between the given end point and the given starting point, and the method further comprises providing data representing at least one determined traffic occurrence rate and at least one geo-location point associated with the traffic occurrence rate.

[0011] According to a specific embodiment, providing data representing at least one determined traffic incidence and at least one geographical location associated with said traffic incidence comprises generating a graphical representation of each determined traffic incidence via superposition on a map of taxiways of the airport.

[0012] According to a particular embodiment, the first event in the list of predefined events is starting the second propulsion engine of the aircraft.

[0013] According to a particular embodiment, the second event in the list of predefined events is that the temperature state of the second propulsion engine is sufficient to authorize take-off.

[0014] According to a particular embodiment, at least one predefined criterion is a time period of a day, and / or a day of a week, and / or a time period of a year, and / or an aircraft type, and / or a meteorological criterion.

[0015] According to a specific embodiment, the method further comprises: selecting at least one geographic location point where the occurrence rate of a predefined event is the highest; and initiating autonomous driving, which comprises performing an operation associated with the predefined event at the selected geographic location point.

[0016] The invention also relates to a system for assisting operations to be performed in an aircraft on the ground during a phase of movement on the ground performed in a given airport, the system comprising an electronic circuit system configured to: obtain, for at least one phase of movement on the ground performed by an aircraft of an aircraft fleet in a given airport and according to the route travelled, one or more data each representing an event achieved during a phase of movement on the ground, and a geographical location point where the event is achieved, the event being selected from a list of predefined events; obtain, in association with each data representing an event, at least one data about one or more conditions of the phase of movement on the ground; determine, for at least one predetermined route, based on the one or more data obtained, for each geographical location point, the occurrence rate of each predefined event achieved during a phase of movement on the ground along the predetermined route, the occurrence rate of each predefined event being determined only on the basis that at least one condition of the phase of movement on the ground satisfies at least one predefined criterion; and provide data representing at least one determined occurrence rate and at least one geographical location point associated with said occurrence rate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The above and other characteristics of the invention will become more apparent after reading the following description of at least one example of embodiment, which description is given with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0018] Figure 1 A system for assisting operations to be carried out by an aircraft during a phase of movement on the ground in an airport is schematically illustrated;

[0019] Figure 2 The flying machine is shown schematically;

[0020] Figure 3 The graphs resulting from the graphical representation of each incidence are schematically shown;

[0021] Figure 4An example of a hardware platform allowing the implementation of a data management system of an auxiliary system in the form of an electronic circuit system is schematically shown;

[0022] Figure 5A A first step of an assistance method implemented by an assistance system is schematically illustrated;

[0023] Figure 5B schematically illustrates a second step of the assistance method implemented by the assistance system;

[0024] Figure 6 schematically illustrates the optional filtering step of the auxiliary method; and

[0025] Figure 7 The filtering steps of the auxiliary method are schematically shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Figure 1 Thus schematically illustrated is a system 1 for assisting operations performed by an aircraft 2 during a phase of movement on the ground in an airport, which aircraft benefits from the assistance system 1. A phase of movement on the ground is a period during which the aircraft moves on the ground in an airport, for example: during the taxiing phase; during the phase of preparation for take-off, before the wheels of the aircraft 2 lose contact with the ground; or during the landing phase, after the wheels of the aircraft 2 have come into contact with the ground. In the context of the present invention, the expression "phase of movement on the ground" is understood to mean any operation during which at least one wheel of the aircraft 2 is in contact with the ground. A phase of movement on the ground may, for example, include a movement before take-off or after landing in order to travel a distance between a starting point, such as a gate, and an end point, such as a runway threshold. According to another example, a phase of movement on the ground includes a braking operation after the wheels of the aircraft 2 have come into contact with the ground during landing. The operations performed during the phase of movement on the ground are performed by the autopilot or the pilot in order to allow the aircraft to move on the ground and to prepare for take-off or stopping of said aircraft. Starting the second propulsion engine of the aircraft and braking the aircraft are two examples of operations.

[0027] The assistance system 1 comprises a data management system 10 which allows the collection, processing and provision of data. The data management system 10 comprises a list of predefined events which can or must be realized during a phase of movement on the ground. A predefined event may be: an operation, such as starting the second propulsion engine or actuating the brakes; a change of state of a parameter, such as the temperature of the second propulsion engine reaching or exceeding a predefined threshold; or the fulfillment of a condition, such as the readiness of the second engine to perform a take-off or even contact between the tires and the ground. Each predefined event in the list is associated with at least one operation to be carried out and makes it possible to give an indication that an operation has been carried out or that a result is awaited after said operation has been carried out.

[0028] The data management system 10 is configured to obtain, from at least one aircraft 131 of the fleet 13, at least one datum representative of an event from a predefined list of events. Each obtained datum represents an event achieved during a movement phase performed on the ground in a given airport by an aircraft 131 in the fleet 13. The data management system 10 is further configured to obtain, for each datum representative of an event, data representative of a route travelled between a starting point and a destination during the movement phase on the ground in question.

[0029] Data representing events are obtained from databases of the fleet 13 of aircraft 131 , such as the ACMS, DAR, and FOMAX databases of each aircraft 131 (ACMS, DAR, and FOMAX stand for Aircraft Condition Monitoring System, Direct Access Record, and Flight Operations and Maintenance Exchange, respectively).

[0030] According to one embodiment, data representative of events are obtained via a wireless communication link 101 between an aircraft 131 of the fleet 13 and the data management system 10. Such data may be obtained: periodically in real time; at the end of a phase of movement on the ground; or at the end of a flight, or in other words, after landing at the end of a phase of movement on the ground. According to one embodiment, said data are obtained via a data storage medium that is physically transported between the aircraft 131 and the communication interface of the data management system 10. This physical transport is performed, for example, by the pilot of the aircraft 131 at the end of a flight when the aircraft 131 has come to a stop.

[0031] The data management system 10 is further configured to obtain, for each data representing an event, geolocation data about the geolocation at which the event was realized in the airport. According to one embodiment, the geolocation data is obtained in association with the data representing the event realized at the geolocation, for example when the data representing the event and the associated geolocation data are jointly generated.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the geolocation data are obtained separately from the data representative of the event and in association with a timestamp. In this case, the data representative of the event are obtained in association with a timestamp. The data management system 10 associates each data representative of an event generated by an aircraft 131 with the geolocation data of the same aircraft 131 having the same timestamp. For example, the data representative of the event obtained from the ACMS database are associated with the geolocation data obtained from the ADS-B database of the same aircraft 131 (ADS-B stands for Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast).

[0033] Each geolocation data is converted into a geolocation point in the airport placed on a taxiway. A geolocation point in the airport is defined as a portion of the airport surface having a certain area. A geolocation point in the airport further placed on a taxiway is a geolocation point whose coordinates are identified as being located in a position on the taxiway. To this end, the data management system 10 includes or obtains a database of taxiways of the airport, which includes all airport geolocation points placed on the taxiways. The data management system 10 then determines the nearest airport geolocation point located on the taxiway for each obtained geolocation data associated with the data representing the event, assuming that the aircraft 131 will never be guided to or stopped on non-navigable terrain. Airport taxiways include parking areas at boarding gates.

[0034] The data management system 10 is further configured to determine for each geolocation point an occurrence rate of said event for at least one predefined event in the list of predefined events. The occurrence rate is further determined for at least one specified route, or in other words, data representative of events realized during a movement phase on the ground along said at least one specified route are taken into account. The assistance system 1 is further configured to provide data representative of at least one determined occurrence rate and at least one geolocation point associated with said occurrence rate.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the assistance system 1 further comprises a display 12, which may be arranged in the aircraft 2. The display 12 is configured to graphically represent each occurrence of at least one predefined operation. Each occurrence is represented on a map of the airport taxiways, for example by an indicator spatially positioned relative to said taxiways according to a geographical positioning point of the indicator in the airport, the indicator having characteristics representing the occurrence in question.

[0036] Thus, the pilot can easily see the statistical distribution that associates each geolocation point of the airport with the incidence of predefined events specific to the geolocation point. For example, a pilot who wishes to obtain an indication of the best position for starting the second engine of the aircraft 2 on a specified route that must be taken before takeoff can view the highest number of aircraft 131 in the fleet 13 at which airport geolocation point on the route during the previous movement phase on the ground. The pilot can further view other geolocation points on the route where many aircraft 131 start their second propulsion engines, and other locations where few or no aircraft 131 start their second propulsion engines. Then, the pilot can make a decision to perform the operation at the geolocation point on the route that seems most suitable for starting the second engine by considering the previous movement phase on the ground, even if the pilot is not familiar with the airport in question. In another example, the pilot can view the highest number of aircraft 131 at which geolocation point on the airport runway puts its tires in contact with the ground and / or initiates braking. This, for example, allows the pilot to make decisions more easily so as to reduce the wear of the brakes and the wear of the tires.

[0037] Furthermore, the pilot may select a geo-fix that seems most suitable for initiating the autopilot, for example at least one geo-fix at which the predefined event has the highest incidence. The autopilot then comprises performing the operation associated with the predefined event at said selected geo-fix. In the case where a plurality of geo-fixes are associated with the same incidence, in other words with an incidence having a given value, an additional criterion may be used to select one of said plurality of geo-fixes.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the data management system 10 is further configured to determine the occurrence of passage of at least one aircraft 131 in the fleet 13 through each geographical location point of the airport for a given starting point and a given destination. The occurrence of passage is determined taking into account all the ground movement phases performed between the given starting point and the given destination. For example, the data management system 10 selects data representing the route traveled between the given starting point and the given destination from the obtained data each representing the route traveled during the ground movement phase, and then determines all the geographical locations of the route for each route selected by the data. The data management system 10 associates the aircraft passage 131 with each geographical location point of each selected route, and then determines the occurrence of passage of at least one aircraft 131 through each geographical location point. The data management system 10 then provides at least one determined occurrence of passage and at least one geographical location point associated with the occurrence of passage. For example, the display 12 is configured to generate a graphical representation of each occurrence of passage of at least one determined aircraft for the given starting point and the given destination. It is then easy to visualize the taxiway traversed by the highest number of aircraft 131 during the movement phase on the ground performed between these two given points.

[0039] The data management system 10 is further configured to obtain data on movement conditions (or characteristics) on the ground for at least one movement phase on the ground performed by an aircraft 131 in the fleet 13, and to associate the data on the movement conditions on the ground for the movement phase on the ground with each data representing an event achieved during the movement phase on the ground. The data on the movement conditions on the ground may include time information of the movement phase on the ground, such as time and date, or even aircraft type or aircraft weight class. The data on the movement conditions on the ground may further include meteorological conditions for each movement phase on the ground in the airport, such as wind direction and wind speed, temperature or atmospheric pressure. The data are obtained, for example, from a database of the aircraft 131 in the fleet 13 or from a service that provides meteorological data.

[0040] The assistance system 1 is further configured to allow filtering of the obtained data according to the data on the movement conditions on the ground and to display the graphical representation 30 taking into account said filtering. For example, the assistance system 1, and preferably the display 12 of the assistance system 1, comprises a human-machine interface configured to allow the user to select the data on the movement conditions on the ground that meet predefined criteria. The predefined criteria are, for example, a predefined time period of the day, and / or a day of the week, and / or a predefined time period of the year, and / or a predefined route taken between the start and end of a movement phase on the ground, and / or a predefined aircraft type, and / or a predefined meteorological criterion (such as wind speed and / or wind direction and / or atmospheric pressure). The assistance system 1 detects said selected predefined criteria and selects data representing events that are associated with the associated data on the movement conditions on the ground that meet the predefined criteria. Then, taking into account only the data representing events selected during filtering, the incidence of the predefined events is determined for each geographical location point for at least one predetermined route.

[0041] It is then possible to easily view only some of the acquired data, namely those for which the movement phases on the ground satisfy the predefined movement conditions on the ground. For example, it is possible to view only the incidence of second propulsion engine starts within the movement phases on the ground performed between 6h and 8h in December, January and February. This allows the pilot to find, without any particular effort, the geographical locations at which the highest proportion of aircraft 131 in the fleet 13 started their second propulsion engines under traffic or meteorological conditions considered similar.

[0042] According to a first embodiment, the display 12 generates a graphical representation of each occurrence rate of a single predefined event on a given map. According to a second embodiment, the display 12 generates a graphical representation of each occurrence rate of a plurality of predefined events on a given map, which makes it possible to observe the correlation between the geographical location at which a first predefined event is achieved (e.g., the second propulsion engine is started) and the geographical location at which a second predefined event is achieved (e.g., the temperature of the second propulsion engine is sufficient to allow takeoff). The pilot can then make a decision to perform an operation to start the second propulsion engine based on the geographical location at which she or he expects to obtain a temperature sufficient to allow takeoff.

[0043] According to an example of embodiment, the assistance system 1 further comprises a processing unit 11, which is arranged in the aircraft 2 and is configured to send an occurrence request to the data management system 10 and to receive data representing the obtained events and / or the determined occurrences from the data management system 10 in response to the occurrence request. The processing unit 11 is further configured to provide data representing at least one determined occurrence and, for example, transmit the determined occurrences to a display 12 when a display 12 is further arranged in the aircraft 2. According to a specific embodiment, the processing unit 11 determines each occurrence based on data obtained from the data management system 10.

[0044] Figure 2 Schematically illustrated is an aircraft 2 that benefits from the assistance system 1. According to one embodiment, the assistance system 1 is a system located on board the aircraft 2. According to one embodiment, the data management system 10 of the assistance system 1 is a remote system in communication with the aircraft 2, and the display 12 is located on board the aircraft 2.

[0045] Figure 3 Schematically illustrated is a diagram 30 generated by a graphical representation of each occurrence rate generated by the display 12. The diagram 30 shows a taxiway (here represented by thin solid lines) and a runway 302 (whose outline has been drawn here by dashed lines) of an airport. In the illustrated example, the diagram 30 includes a route 303 represented by a thick solid line between a starting point 304 and an end point 305.

[0046] The chart 30 further includes a set of indicators, each indicating an occurrence rate of a given predefined event, where each indicator is presented by a symbol having a triangular shape, the size of which varies according to the occurrence rate. The larger the triangular symbol, the higher the occurrence rate. Each indicator is positioned in an area of ​​the graphical representation 30 corresponding to the geographical location point where the occurrence rate is determined.

[0047] According to an alternative embodiment (not shown), each indicator in the set of indicators is represented by a colored area, the color of which varies with the incidence rate. Thus, the set of indicators is represented by a series of colors defined in a predetermined order (e.g., blue, green, yellow, orange and then red), and the color of the indicator becomes closer to red as the incidence rate increases.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the graphical representation 30 comprises a legend 31 making it possible to illustrate a range of sizes or a range of colors of symbols, or in other words, to illustrate the variable nature of the set of indicators, thus allowing visualization of the variation of the incidence of events from one geographical location to another.

[0049] The pilot can then easily see the geo-fix at which the predefined event was realized in the highest number of the considered previous movement phases on the ground. She or he can therefore select the geo-fix whose indicator is closest to the second predefined criterion (e.g., closest to the maximum value in a series of sizes or colors). The pilot can then easily make a decision to implement the operation associated with the predefined event in question at said selected geo-fix.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the assistance system 1 is configured to obtain in real time a geographical position of the aircraft 2 and to generate in real time a graphical representation of said geographical position of the aircraft 2 , here represented in the diagram 30 by the symbol 306 .

[0051] Figure 4 An example of a hardware platform allowing the implementation of the data management system 10 in the form of an electronic circuit system is schematically illustrated.

[0052] The hardware platform includes the following items connected by a communication bus 410: a processor or central processing unit CPU 401; a random access memory RAM 402; a read-only memory ROM 403, such as an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) (such as flash memory) or another type of read-only memory; a storage unit HDD 404, such as a hard disk drive or a storage device reader (such as an SD card reader (SD stands for Secure Digital)); and an interface manager I / f 405.

[0053] The interface manager I / f 405 allows the data management system 10 to interact with databases of aircraft 131 in the fleet 13 , with databases of airports, and / or with services providing weather data where appropriate, as well as with the processing unit 11 and / or the display 12 .

[0054] The processor 401 can execute instructions loaded from the read-only memory 403, external memory, storage medium (such as SD card) or communication network into the random access memory 402. When the hardware platform is powered on, the processor 401 can read the instructions from the random access memory 402 and can execute the instructions. These instructions form a computer program that enables the processor 401 to implement all or some of the steps, methods and operations described herein with reference to the data management system 10.

[0055] Thus, all or some of the steps, methods, and operations described herein may be implemented in software by executing a set of instructions with the aid of a programmable machine (e.g., a digital signal processor (DSP) or a microcontroller), or in hardware with the aid of a machine or a dedicated chip or chipset (e.g., a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application specific circuit (ASIC)). In general, the data management system 10 includes electronic circuitry designed and configured to implement the operations, methods, and steps described herein with respect to the data management system 10.

[0056] The processing unit 11 may be composed of Figure 4 In other words, the processing unit 11 includes an electronic circuit system designed and configured to implement the operations, methods and steps described herein with respect to the processing unit 11. The interface manager I / f 405 of the processing unit 11 allows the processing unit 11 to interact with the data management system 10 and the display 12, and also interact with the human-machine interface where appropriate.

[0057] Figure 5A A first step of the assistance method carried out by the assistance system 1 is schematically illustrated.

[0058] In a first step 501, the data management system 10 obtains data representing at least one event from a predefined list of events and geolocation data associated with each data representing an event. The data management system 10 converts each obtained geolocation data into an airport geolocation point. The data management system 10 further obtains, for each data representing an event achieved during a movement phase on the ground, data representing a route traveled during said movement phase on the ground.

[0059] In step 502, the data management system 10 obtains data about the conditions of the movement phases on the ground and, for each movement phase on the ground, associates the data about the conditions of the movement phase on the ground with each data representing an event achieved during said movement phase on the ground.

[0060] Figure 5B The second step of the assistance method carried out by the assistance system 1 is schematically illustrated.

[0061] In a first step 511, the data management system 10 receives an incidence request, for example from an aircraft 2. Step 511 is implemented each time an incidence request is received. For example, an incidence request is sent when the dispatch of such a request is triggered by the pilot at the beginning of a movement phase on the ground. According to one embodiment, the incidence request is sent by the processing unit 11. The incidence request comprises data representative of at least one specified route between a given starting point and a given end point. The specified route is, for example, a route to be followed during a movement phase of the aircraft 2 on the ground.

[0062] In a subsequent step 512, the data management system 10 determines, for each geolocation point, the incidence of each predefined event achieved during a phase of movement on the ground along the at least one specified route. To this end, the data management system 10 selects, from the set of available data obtained, each data representing a predefined event associated with data representing a travel route identical to the specified route.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the incidence request received in step 511 further comprises at least one predefined event from a list of predefined events. The at least one predefined event is selected, for example, by a pilot of the aircraft 2. In this case, the system determines in step 512 only the incidence of each predefined event transmitted in the incidence request.

[0064] In a subsequent step 513, the assistance system 1 provides data representative of at least one determined occurrence rate and at least one geographical location point associated with said occurrence rate. For example, the display 12 generates a graphical representation of each occurrence rate of at least one predefined event via superposition on a map of the airport taxiways.

[0065] Figure 6 Optional steps of the auxiliary method that may be performed before steps 511 to 513 are schematically shown.

[0066] In step 601, the data management system 10 receives a second incidence request (referred to as a traffic incidence request), for example from an aircraft 2. Step 601 is performed each time a traffic incidence request is received.

[0067] A traffic incidence request contains data representing a given origin and a given destination.

[0068] In a subsequent step 602 , the data management system 10 determines the incidence of at least one aircraft 131 in the fleet 13 passing through each geographical location point for the given origin and destination.

[0069] In a subsequent step 603, the assistance system 1 provides data representing at least one determined traffic occurrence and at least one geographical location associated with said traffic occurrence. For example, the display 12 generates a graphical representation of each determined traffic occurrence of at least one aircraft via superposition on a map of the airport taxiways.

[0070] Figure 7 The filtering steps of the auxiliary method are schematically shown.

[0071] In step 701 , the assistance system 1 receives a filtering request, for example from a human-machine interface, the filtering request comprising at least one filtering criterion from a list of predefined filtering criteria.

[0072] In step 702, the assistance system 1 filters data representing events according to a filtering request. To this end, the assistance system 1 detects the filtering criteria of the filtering request and then selects each data representing an event associated with data about one or more conditions of a movement phase on the ground that meets said predefined criteria.

[0073] In step 703 , the assistance system 1 determines, for each geographical location point, a modified incidence rate of each predefined event based on the data selected in the previous step 702 .

[0074] In step 704, the assistance system 1 provides data representative of at least one modified incidence and at least one geographical location associated with said incidence. For example, the display 12 generates a graphical representation of each determined modified incidence via superposition on a taxiway of the airport.

[0075] The invention is not limited to the described embodiments and examples of embodiments but more generally encompasses any method that allows providing the crew of an aircraft with the occurrence of defined events from a predefined list of events previously realized by other aircraft (ideally of the same type) during a movement phase on the ground in the same airport and at least one geographical fix associated with the provided occurrence. For example, when starting a first engine, the pilot can be indicated the assumed ideal position for starting a second engine based on previous events.

Claims

1. A method for assisting operations to be carried out in an aircraft (2) during a movement phase on the ground in an airport, The method comprises: For at least one movement phase on the ground performed by an aircraft (131) of the fleet of aircraft (13) in a given airport and according to the route travelled, obtaining (501) one or more data each representing an event achieved during said movement phase on the ground, and the geographical location point where said event is achieved, said event being selected from a list of predefined events, each predefined event in said list being associated with at least one operation to be carried out in said aircraft, obtaining (502) in association with each data representative of an event at least one data concerning one or more conditions of said movement phase on the ground, determining (512) for each geolocation point, for at least one predetermined route, based on the one or more data obtained, a rate of occurrence of each predefined event achieved during a movement phase on the ground along the predetermined route, the rate of occurrence of each predefined event being determined only based on data representing the predefined event for which the at least one condition of the movement phase on the ground meets at least one predefined criterion (703), and Data representing at least one determined incidence and at least one geographic location associated with the incidence is provided.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: Providing data representing at least one determined incidence and at least one geographic location associated with the incidence includes generating (513) a graphical representation of each determined incidence via overlay on a map of a taxiway for the airport.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: For a given origin and a given destination, a traffic occurrence rate of at least one aircraft in the fleet is determined (602) for each geo-location point of at least one route travelled during a movement phase on the ground between the given destination and the given origin, and the method further includes providing data representing at least one determined traffic occurrence rate and at least one geo-location point associated with the traffic occurrence rate.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein: Providing data representative of at least one determined traffic incidence and at least one geographic location associated with the traffic incidence includes generating a graphical representation of each determined traffic incidence via overlay on a map of taxiways of the airport.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The first event in the list of predefined events is starting a second propulsion engine of the aircraft.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein: A second event in the list of predefined events is that the temperature state of the second propulsion engine is sufficient to warrant takeoff.

7. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The at least one predefined criterion is a time period of a day, and / or a day of a week, and / or a time period of a year, and / or an aircraft type, and / or a meteorological criterion.

8. The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: selecting at least one geographical location where the occurrence rate of a predefined event is highest; and initiating automated driving, which includes carrying out an operation associated with the predefined event at the selected geo-location point.

9. A system for assisting operations to be performed in an aircraft on the ground during a movement phase on the ground performed in a given airport (2), the system comprising an electronic circuit system configured to: for at least one movement phase on the ground performed by an aircraft of the fleet of aircraft in a given airport and according to the route travelled, obtaining (501) one or more data each representing an event achieved during said movement phase on the ground, and a geographical location point where said event is achieved, said event being selected from a list of predefined events, each predefined event in said list being associated with at least one operation to be carried out in said aircraft, obtaining (502) in association with each data representative of an event at least one data concerning one or more conditions of said movement phase on the ground, determining (512) for each geolocation point, for at least one predetermined route, based on the one or more data obtained, a rate of occurrence of each predefined event achieved during a movement phase on the ground along the predetermined route, the rate of occurrence of each predefined event being determined only based on data representing the predefined event for which the at least one condition of the movement phase on the ground meets at least one predefined criterion (703), and Data representing at least one determined incidence and at least one geographic location associated with the incidence is provided.

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