Autopilot Vertical Speed Preview for TCAS Conflict Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air traffic collision avoidance systems (TCAS) often lead to high workload scenarios for pilots, with a history of incorrect responses or aggressive maneuvers due to lack of integration with aircraft automation, resulting in pilot errors and nuisance deviations from flight paths due to erroneous alerts.
Innovation Solution
The system provides updated displays, an autoflight mode control panel, and high-level software logic in the autopilot, flight director, and autothrottle to enable pilots to preview and selectively automate vertical speed guidance during air traffic conflicts, allowing for expedited and smooth responses to alerts, with options for fully automated or manual control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If TCAS commands are automatically acted upon by automation, then response speed to collision threats is improved, but nuisance deviations from flight path occur due to erroneous alerts
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides a preview function that displays the anticipated vertical speed guidance and flight path deviations before the automation executes the TCAS command. This allows pilots to verify the maneuver is appropriate and intentional, preventing automatic execution of erroneous alerts while maintaining rapid response capability when alerts are valid.
2Reliability
If pilot disconnects all automation to follow TCAS guidance, then correct manual response to collision threats is improved, but pilot workload and risk of error increase
Solution Approach 1:
The preview function acts as an intermediary between the pilot and the automation system. It allows the automation to remain engaged and prepare TCAS commands, but introduces a verification step where the pilot can review the anticipated maneuver before execution. This reduces workload by maintaining automation engagement while ensuring pilot oversight to prevent errors.
3Ease of operation
If TCAS system is integrated with aircraft automation, then ease of following guidance is improved, but pilot errors occur due to lack of pilot awareness
Solution Approach 1:
The preview function provides feedback to the pilot showing the anticipated vertical speed guidance and flight path changes before automation executes the TCAS command. This maintains integration with automation for ease of operation while ensuring pilot awareness and understanding of the maneuver, preventing pilot errors through informed verification.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for enabling a pilot to select an automated response to an air traffic conflict alert. In accordance with one embodiment, the system includes updated displays, an updated autoflight mode control panel and high-level software logic in the autopilot, flight director and autothrottle to provide an expedited response. A mode control switch may be optionally included. In accordance with an additional option, the system may be configured to operate in a fully automated state in which the system responds automatically to the air traffic conflict event without needing the pilot to first accept the automated response before its execution.