Aircraft Vertical Profile Rejoining Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current piloting methods for aircraft do not provide a simple and safe means for crews to control and automatically rejoin a vertical flight profile, especially when deviations occur, leading to potential safety risks due to late engagement of descent modes and lack of direct control over the rejoining process.
Innovation Solution
A method combining two piloting modes, where the crew controls the approach to the vertical profile using a second mode and automatically transitions to a first mode for precise rejoining and following once the aircraft enters a defined engagement zone, reducing crew workload and ensuring timely engagement of automatic piloting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the descent mode is engaged to automatically pick up and follow the vertical profile, then the automatic piloting and servo-controlling of the airplane to the vertical profile is managed, but the crew loses control over the picking-up path and cannot control the moment of rejoining the vertical profile
Solution Approach 1:
The piloting process is divided into two distinct phases: a first phase where the crew manually controls the approach to the vertical profile using vertical speed or gradient mode, and a second phase where the automatic descent mode engages to complete the pick-up and follow the profile. This segmentation allows the crew to retain control during the approach while benefiting from automation during the critical pick-up phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The crew performs preliminary actions by manually approaching the vertical profile and positioning the aircraft within a predefined engagement zone before the automatic descent mode engages. This preliminary manual control ensures the aircraft is in the correct configuration and position before automation takes over, giving the crew control over the initial approach phase.
2Ease of operation
If the crew manually controls the picking-up path using vertical speed or gradient mode, then the crew can control the path of the airplane, but the vertical profile cannot be picked up and followed automatically
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement zone acts as an intermediary mechanism that bridges manual and automatic control modes. When the aircraft enters this predefined zone during manual approach, it automatically triggers the engagement of the descent mode, seamlessly transitioning from crew-controlled manual piloting to automatic piloting without requiring direct crew intervention for the mode change.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the aircraft's position relative to the vertical profile and the engagement zone. When the aircraft enters the engagement zone during manual approach, this position feedback automatically triggers the engagement of the descent mode, enabling the transition from manual to automatic control based on real-time position information.
3Ease of operation
If the crew engages the descent mode late based on their own assessment, then the crew maintains control, but the safety of the airplane may be affected due to potential failure to comply with altitude constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement zone is predefined in advance based on safety criteria and altitude constraints. By requiring the aircraft to reach this pre-calculated zone before automatic mode engagement, the system ensures that the pick-up maneuver will be completed safely before the aircraft reaches critical altitudes or obstacles, eliminating reliance on crew timing assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically determines when to engage the descent mode based on the aircraft's position relative to the predefined engagement zone and vertical profile. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for crew assessment of the optimal engagement moment, ensuring consistent and safe timing based on objective position data rather than subjective judgment.
4Loss of information
If the flight management system calculates path predictions assuming half air brakes extended, then the system has a reference path, but the actual path often differs from predictions when crew configuration differs, leaving the crew without information on the path or vertical speed
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement zone and pick-up path are predefined in advance based on the vertical profile and aircraft performance characteristics. This preliminary definition of the desired path allows the system to predict and guide the aircraft along the correct trajectory regardless of the actual air brake configuration, ensuring the crew has a reference path to follow.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously compares the actual aircraft position and configuration against the predefined vertical profile and engagement zone. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adapt to actual crew configurations (such as different air brake settings) while still guiding the aircraft along the correct path, providing real-time information about the actual versus predicted path.
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft piloting method and device for picking up a vertical profile of a flight plan. The device combines a manual piloting device that enables a pilot to control the start of the picking-up of a vertical profile and an automatic piloting device for automatically ending the vertical profile picking-up and following the vertical profile.