Aircraft Glide Path Planning Using Soaring Weather Lift
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the event of a complete loss of engine thrust, modern aircraft lack effective systems and methods for automated path planning and landing site selection to ensure a safe landing, as the available kinetic and potential energy is limited compared to engine-generated mechanical energy.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing soaring weather conditions, including thermal, wind, and cloud formations, to extend the gliding range of an aircraft by determining a landing site and flight path that leverages environmental lift, integrating a controller, sensors, and display systems to provide real-time navigation assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the aircraft relies solely on kinetic and potential energy without engine thrust, then the aircraft can maintain flight for a limited time, but the gliding range and options for safe landing are severely limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operational parameters of the aircraft by transitioning from engine-powered flight to gliding flight, utilizing atmospheric conditions (thermal updrafts, ridge lift, wave lift) to maintain altitude and extend flight duration. This parameter change allows the aircraft to convert potential energy more efficiently and extend both flight time and gliding range beyond what would be possible with passive gliding alone
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces atmospheric phenomena (thermal updrafts, ridge lift, wave lift) as intermediaries to provide additional lift and energy to the aircraft. These environmental factors act as mediators that transfer energy from the atmosphere to the aircraft, enabling extended flight duration and range without engine thrust
2Reliability
If the aircraft uses automated path planning and landing site selection systems, then the ability to ensure safe landing is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating multiple potential flight paths and identifying suitable landing sites before the aircraft actually needs them. The automated path planning system proactively generates contingency plans that consider various atmospheric conditions and aircraft states, allowing the pilot to select from pre-computed options rather than making decisions under immediate stress
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring aircraft parameters (altitude, speed, position) and atmospheric conditions, then adjusting the recommended flight path and landing site selections in real-time. This closed-loop control ensures that the automated systems adapt to changing conditions while maintaining reliable safe landing capabilities
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables safe and controlled landing by maximizing the aircraft's gliding range and altitude using soaring weather conditions, providing precise flight path planning and site selection, even in the absence of engine thrust.
Implementation Method 1
environmental regions of thermal draft capable of producing lift sufficient to extend the gliding range of the aircraft
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for landing site selection and flight path planning for an aircraft using soaring weather conditions. The methods may include, with one or more processors of a controller onboard the aircraft: receiving data indicative of terrain, airports, airspace, aerodynamics of the aircraft, real-time weather, and real-time status of the aircraft, determining a gliding range of the aircraft based at least in part on soaring weather conditions that include environmental regions of thermal draft capable of producing lift sufficient to extend the gliding range of the aircraft, determining a landing site for the aircraft based on the gliding range of the aircraft, and determining a flight path of the aircraft that uses the soaring weather conditions to extend the gliding range of the aircraft and land at the landing site.