Aircraft Emergency Communication for Automatic Contingency Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the event of a pilot incapacitation, existing systems fail to automatically inform air traffic control of a changed aircraft trajectory and impending maneuvers, compromising flight safety due to the loss of pilot communication.
Innovation Solution
An automatic communication method and system that uses electronic circuitry on board the aircraft to send messages on predefined frequencies, including a first frequency used by the pilot before incapacitation and a second emergency frequency, to inform air traffic control of the contingency trajectory and maneuvers, with speech synthesis for audio messages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the pilot is incapacitated and automatic guidance is activated, then the aircraft can be automatically guided along a contingency trajectory, but air traffic control cannot be informed of the trajectory change and impending maneuvers
Solution Approach 1:
The aircraft system automatically generates and transmits communication messages to air traffic control without human intervention. The system detects pilot incapacitation, determines the contingency trajectory, and autonomously communicates this information to ATC, allowing the aircraft to serve its own communication needs during the emergency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary communication system that bridges the gap between the automatically guided aircraft and air traffic control. This intermediary system translates the aircraft's status and trajectory information into standardized communication protocols that ATC can understand and act upon.
2Reliability
If messages are sent only on the emergency frequency, then communication security is improved, but air traffic control attention is not effectively attracted
Solution Approach 1:
The communication process is segmented into two distinct phases: first, attracting attention by sending a message on the current frequency that ATC is already monitoring, and second, providing secure detailed information on the emergency frequency. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both goals of attracting attention and ensuring secure communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by first sending an alert message on the current frequency to attract ATC attention before switching to the emergency frequency for detailed communication. This preliminary alert ensures that ATC is prepared and attentive when the more detailed emergency information is transmitted.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication method for an aircraft with an air traffic control center includes receiving information relating to the activation of guidance of the aircraft along a contingency trajectory, sending a first message on a first communication frequency, to inform air traffic control of the activation of guidance of the aircraft along the contingency trajectory, and of the sending of further messages on a second communication frequency used for emergency communications, sending a second message on the second communication frequency, to inform air traffic control of the activation of guidance of the aircraft along the contingency trajectory, and sending a set of messages on the second communication frequency, to inform air traffic control of maneuvers that the aircraft is going to implement.