Aircraft Lighting System for Trailing Aircraft Warning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for transmitting information from leading aircraft to trailing aircraft are inefficient, particularly in rapidly changing weather conditions, leading to potential hydroplaning and unsafe separation distances due to delayed or missing communications about runway braking conditions.
Innovation Solution
An aircraft lighting system that includes external lights, a memory module, and a processor to compare received aircraft parameters to stored criteria, determining whether to illuminate the lights to convey information about braking conditions or flight path deviations to trailing aircraft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional communication methods (ATC radio, pilot comments) are used to transmit runway condition information, then information can be transmitted, but the transmission is delayed and may be missed in high workload scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of sensors, processors, and visual display devices that automatically detect runway conditions and flight path deviations, then communicate this information to trailing aircraft through visual displays. This intermediary system relieves the pilot of direct communication responsibilities while ensuring timely and reliable information transmission about braking conditions and flight path stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by automatically detecting runway braking conditions and flight path deviations without requiring pilot intervention. The sensor network and processing units continuously monitor conditions and automatically generate visual communications to trailing aircraft, freeing pilots from manual reporting duties while maintaining continuous situational awareness.
2Loss of information
If pilots manually communicate braking conditions to ATC, then information can be conveyed, but the workload increases and communication may be omitted in high stress situations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting and communicating runway condition information through visual displays on trailing aircraft. The sensor network monitors braking conditions and the processor automatically generates visual messages, eliminating the need for manual pilot reporting while ensuring complete information transmission about runway surface conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical communication system (radio transmissions, verbal reports) with an automated optical display system. Visual display devices project information directly into the flight path of trailing aircraft, substituting the manual radio communication mechanism with an automated visual communication field that continuously displays runway condition data.
3Measurement precision
If CFME equipment is used to measure runway friction, then objective braking action data can be obtained, but the system has inherent lag and cannot detect rapid changes in braking conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the runway monitoring function into multiple distributed sensors along the runway surface, each independently measuring local braking conditions. This segmentation allows parallel data collection from multiple points simultaneously, providing both precise local measurements and rapid detection of changing conditions across the runway surface without the single-point lag of traditional CFME.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by continuously monitoring runway conditions before trailing aircraft reach the runway threshold. Sensors detect braking conditions in advance, and the system proactively displays this information to approaching aircraft, allowing pilots to prepare for anticipated runway conditions rather than reacting to lagged measurements after touchdown.
4Speed
If visual display devices are positioned in the flight path of trailing aircraft, then information is immediately visible, but the display must be highly visible against varying background conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs color changes in the visual display devices to convey different runway condition states and attract pilot attention. The display system uses distinct colors to indicate varying braking conditions (e.g., green for good, yellow for medium, red for poor) and adjusts color intensity to ensure visibility against different background conditions, leveraging human color perception to rapidly communicate critical information.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes multiple display parameters including brightness, contrast, and spatial positioning to optimize information visibility. The display devices adjust their illumination intensity and positional orientation based on detected background conditions and aircraft approach characteristics, dynamically modifying display parameters to maintain optimal visibility across varying environmental conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for alerting trailing aircraft about conditions experienced by a leading aircraft are disclosed herein. The systems and methods include an aircraft lighting system, which includes at least one external aircraft light and a memory module configured to store at least one criterion associated with an aircraft parameter. The systems and methods further include a receiver module operably connected to the memory module which is configured to receive an aircraft parameter. The systems and methods also include a processor module operably connected to the memory module, the receiver module and the at least one external aircraft light, the processor being configured to compare the received aircraft parameter to the stored at least one criterion and is further configured to determine, on the basis of the comparison, whether to cause illumination of the at least one external aircraft light for observance by trailing aircraft.