Aircraft Landing Risk Mapping for Unprepared Terrain
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for landing aircraft on unprepared terrain do not adequately account for the complexity of terrain analysis and require predefined databases, leading to high cognitive workload and increased accident risk for pilots.
Innovation Solution
An electronic landing assistance device that divides the landing zone into sub-zones, calculates an overall risk level based on topographical, accessibility, visibility, and living being presence characterizations, and reports risk levels to the pilot or avionics system, reducing the need for manual analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a pilot manually analyzes terrain characteristics for landing decisions, then the system can adapt to any terrain condition, but the cognitive workload and stress on the pilot increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically analyzing terrain characteristics, generating digital surface models, calculating risk levels, and providing landing recommendations without requiring manual pilot analysis. The electronic device independently processes terrain data from multiple sensors and makes assessment decisions, freeing the pilot from cognitive overload while maintaining high adaptability to diverse terrain conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the pilot's manual cognitive analysis mechanism with an automated electronic system. Sensors capture terrain data, which is then processed through digital surface model generation and risk calculation algorithms. This substitution of mechanical (human cognitive) processing with electronic automation significantly reduces pilot workload while maintaining comprehensive terrain analysis capability.
2Device complexity
If existing landing systems use predefined databases, then the system structure is simplified, but the system cannot adequately reflect the complexity of real terrain analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-processing terrain data to generate digital surface models and calculate risk levels before the actual landing decision is made. The electronic device proactively analyzes terrain characteristics, generates comprehensive assessments, and provides recommendations in advance, enabling the pilot to make informed decisions without requiring complex real-time calculations during the critical landing phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming raw sensor data into processed terrain characteristics through digital surface model generation. The system dynamically adjusts and processes multiple terrain parameters (elevation, slope, obstacles, visibility) to generate comprehensive risk assessments. This dynamic parameter transformation enables the system to handle complex terrain variability without requiring overly complex predefined database structures.
3Measurement precision
If the system provides comprehensive terrain analysis, then the accuracy of landing safety assessment is improved, but the time required for analysis increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system ensures continuity of useful action by continuously processing terrain data and maintaining updated digital surface models during the approach phase. The electronic device continuously calculates risk levels and monitors changing terrain conditions, providing ongoing accurate assessments without requiring the pilot to stop or pause the landing sequence for analysis. This continuous automated processing delivers high-precision safety assessments efficiently throughout the approach phase.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of facilitating the landing of a civil aircraft on a potential landing zone divided into sub-zones. The method includes a step of producing a digital surface model of the potential landing zone using topographic terrain data. In a placement step, the digital surface model is positioned and/or orientated in space to obtain a placed digital surface model. In a calculation step, an overall risk level is calculated for each sub-zone on the basis of the placed digital surface model and characteristics of the sub-zone including topography, accessibility, loss of visibility, and presence of living beings. A reporting step comprises generating an information signal dependent on the overall risk levels, and/or transmitting a control signal dependent on the overall risk levels.