Aircraft Ground-Pilot Takeover for Single-Pilot Emergency Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Converting a traditional pre-existing aircraft to be piloted by a single pilot poses challenges due to the reliance on a two-pilot crew for safety and workload management, especially during critical flight phases and in the event of system failures or malicious acts.
Innovation Solution
A method is proposed that integrates an alternative piloting system into the aircraft, connecting it to a ground station through a command and flight control system. This allows for a nominal crew consisting of a single pilot on board assisted by the alternative piloting system and automatic flight control system during normal conditions. In emergency situations, the ground pilot takes control via the system data link, forming an alternative crew to ensure safe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single pilot is used to operate the aircraft, then operational costs are reduced and profitability is improved, but safety risks increase due to loss of redundancy and increased workload on the remaining pilot
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a ground-based remote pilot as an intermediary to provide backup control capability. When the on-board pilot becomes incapacitated or the aircraft enters an emergency state, the ground pilot can take over control through a data link connection, thus maintaining safety redundancy while enabling single-pilot operation during normal conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic crew configuration that transitions between nominal single-pilot operation and alternative ground-based piloting based on flight conditions. The system dynamically assesses pilot capability and aircraft state to determine whether the on-board pilot or ground pilot should control the aircraft, providing adaptive safety redundancy
2Extent of automation
If conventional automatic control systems are used, then flight automation is achieved, but coverage during all flight phases is insufficient leaving critical gaps in safety
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a monitoring system that continuously assesses the on-board pilot's capability and the aircraft's operational state. Based on this feedback, the system determines when to transition control to the ground pilot, ensuring that automation gaps are filled by human intervention when needed while maintaining efficient automated or single-pilot operation during normal conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes pre-defined emergency states and transition criteria before flight operations begin. The system is prepared in advance with protocols for when to engage the ground pilot, ensuring that safety coverage is maintained during critical phases without requiring continuous manual intervention during normal operation
Data Source
AI summary
A method for piloting a pre-existing aircraft comprising the following steps:integrating an alternative piloting system (1) into the pre-existing aircraft;connecting the aircraft (200) and a ground station in which a ground pilot (207) is positioned;when the aircraft is in a normal state, having the aircraft piloted by a nominal crew;using detection means to detect the occurrence of an emergency situation and, when the occurrence of the emergency is detected:making the ground pilot (207) operational, so that the ground pilot can produce an aircraft ground piloting set-point;transmitting the ground piloting setpoint to the aircraft;using the alternative piloting system to acquire and transmit the ground piloting setpoint to the aircraft flight control system.