Aircraft PFD Symbology for Obstacle Avoidance Maneuvers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Ground Proximity Warning Systems (GPWS) and Terrain Awareness and Warning Systems (TAWS) do not adequately provide pilots with clear indications for lateral avoidance maneuvers during close terrain encounters, leading to a high incidence of Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) accidents despite their widespread use.
Innovation Solution
A simplified ergonomic symbology is displayed on the Primary Flight Display, including symbols for inertial speed vector, attitude instructions, altitude, optimal speed, and vertical speed zones, along with message indicators, to enhance pilot awareness and facilitate effective avoidance maneuvers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional GPWS and TAWS systems are used to provide terrain awareness and warning, then pilots receive alerts about terrain proximity, but the systems fail to provide clear indications for lateral avoidance maneuvers during close terrain encounters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color-coded symbology on the display device to indicate different terrain proximity conditions and avoidance maneuver types. Colors provide immediate visual cues to pilots about the nature and direction of required maneuvers, making the system more intuitive and easier to operate during critical situations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a lateral dimension to terrain awareness display by showing not only vertical proximity warnings but also lateral offset requirements. The symbology includes indicators for both vertical and lateral avoidance maneuvers, providing pilots with comprehensive spatial information in a two-dimensional display format.
2Loss of information
If detailed terrain awareness information is provided to pilots, then pilots can make informed decisions, but the information overload complicates the display and reduces readability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments terrain awareness information into distinct symbolic elements on the display, each representing specific parameters such as vertical proximity, lateral offset, and maneuver type. This segmentation allows pilots to process information in discrete, manageable units rather than as a complex undifferentiated display.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses simplified graphical symbols that copy or represent complex terrain and maneuver information in an easily interpretable visual format. The symbology serves as a visual copy of the underlying navigation and terrain data, translated into intuitive graphical representations that reduce perceived complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The general field of the invention is, within the framework of the terrain anti-collision systems for aircraft, the presentation on the displays for aiding the piloting and the navigation of a simplified symbology suited to these critical situations. More precisely, the symbols comprise guidance indications in the depictions representing the horizontal and vertical situation indicators as well as speed instructions and altitude instructions, indications relating to the propulsion of the jets as well as guidance messages.