Adaptive Glide Slope Angle Control for Dynamic Approach Procedures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft approach procedures lack the ability to dynamically adjust the glide slope angle in real-time, limiting capacity and increasing environmental impact, as they cannot automatically increase the glide slope angle due to various conditions around the landing destination or aircraft.
Innovation Solution
An onboard system that includes a control module, display device, and user interface, which retrieves a designated approach procedure from a navigation database, determines an adaptive glide slope angle based on sensor data, and allows pilots to modify the approach procedure interactively when compatible, while generating alerts for incompatible conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the glide slope angle is increased to enhance airport capacity and reduce environmental impact, then productivity and environmental performance improve, but safety and compatibility with designated procedures deteriorate due to restrictive conditions around the landing destination or aircraft
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the glide slope angle in real-time based on current aircraft conditions, weather data, and environmental factors. The control module continuously monitors parameters and modifies the approach procedure from the conventional fixed angle, enabling the system to optimize for capacity and environmental performance while maintaining safety through adaptive response to changing conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the glide slope angle parameter from a fixed designated value to a dynamically adjusted value. The control module calculates optimal glide slope angles by processing weather data, aircraft status, and environmental constraints, then applies these modified parameters to the approach procedure, resolving the contradiction between increased capacity and maintained safety
2Productivity
If the glide slope angle is automatically increased in all cases, then productivity improves, but adaptability to specific conditions deteriorates because conditions around the landing destination or aircraft may restrict such increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates continuous feedback loops where the control module receives real-time data from weather sensors, aircraft status sensors, and environmental monitoring systems. This feedback is processed to determine whether increasing the glide slope angle is appropriate under current conditions, enabling the system to adapt to specific circumstances while maintaining productivity benefits where applicable
Solution Approach 2:
The approach procedure transitions from a static, one-size-fits-all glide slope angle to a dynamic system that continuously adapts to current conditions. The control module adjusts the glide slope angle based on real-time feedback about weather, aircraft status, and environmental factors, ensuring both productivity improvement and condition-specific adaptability
3Reliability
If conventional approach procedures are used, then reliability and procedure standardization are maintained, but productivity is limited and environmental impact is increased due to inability to dynamically adjust glide slope angle
Solution Approach 1:
The control module serves multiple functions: it monitors weather conditions, tracks aircraft status, processes environmental data, calculates optimal glide slope angles, and communicates with the flight management system. This multi-functional system maintains procedure standardization through structured decision-making while enabling dynamic adjustments to improve productivity and reduce environmental impact
4Device complexity
If conventional approach procedures are used, then device complexity is minimized, but environmental impact increases due to inability to reduce noise and emissions
Solution Approach 1:
The system modifies the glide slope angle parameter to optimize environmental performance. By adjusting this single critical parameter based on real-time conditions, the system reduces noise and emissions during approach without requiring complete redesign of the approach procedure or addition of complex environmental control systems
Solution Approach 2:
Environmental sensors and monitoring systems provide feedback about current noise and emissions levels, which the control module processes to adjust the glide slope angle accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables the system to reduce harmful environmental factors while maintaining acceptable system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods, and non-transitory computer readable mediums directed to generating an adaptive glide slope angle and allowing a pilot to interact with the generated glide slope angle are provided. The systems and methods, and non-transitory computer readable mediums retrieve, from a navigation database (NDB), a designated approach procedure for the aircraft, and identify a designated glide slope angle (D_GSA) based thereon. The systems and methods, and non-transitory computer readable mediums receive sensed actual weather data and sensed aircraft status data and generate an adaptive glide slope angle A_GSA based thereon. The systems and methods, and non-transitory computer readable mediums allow modification of and modify, or prevent modification of, the designated approach procedure with the A_GSA based on the determination of whether or not the A_GSA is compatible with the designated approach procedure.