Avionics Datalink Message Positioning on Flight Path Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional controller-pilot datalink communications (CPDLC) messages are not context-sensitive, making it time-consuming for pilots to identify relevant messages during flight, as they must manually scan through all messages to find those applicable to the current flight path, increasing workload and distraction.
Innovation Solution
A flight deck instrument display system that displays symbology along the aircraft's planned flight path to indicate the applicability of uplink datalink messages, allowing pilots to immediately recognize relevant messages and delay responses to non-urgent communications, with optional conditional clearance alerts and error indicators for deviations from the flight plan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If datalink messages are displayed sequentially in the order received on the MCDU/MFD log page, then all messages are preserved and displayed completely, but the pilot must manually scan through all messages to find those relevant to the current flight path, increasing workload and heads-down time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by displaying different types of information in different locations on the display screen. Specifically, datalink messages are displayed with spatial context indicators that show their relevance to specific waypoints or flight path segments. This allows the pilot to quickly identify which messages are relevant to the current flight phase without scanning the entire message list, as each message is visually associated with its applicable location on the flight path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a spatial dimension to the message display by incorporating flight path context. Instead of displaying messages in a simple sequential list, the system overlays message relevance information on a graphical representation of the flight path, allowing pilots to see which messages apply to which segments of the flight. This dimensional addition enables rapid identification of relevant messages without losing any message information.
2Reliability
If pilots manually scan through all datalink messages to determine relevance to the current flight path, then complete message review is achieved, but time is lost and distractions increase during critical operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-processing and pre-displaying message relevance information before the pilot needs to review messages. The flight management system automatically analyzes received datalink messages, determines their applicability to specific waypoints or flight path segments, and displays this contextual information on the navigation display. This preliminary organization of information by relevance allows pilots to immediately see which messages require attention without manual scanning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by providing continuous visual information about message relevance to the flight path. The display system continuously updates the graphical flight path representation to show which messages are applicable to the current or upcoming flight segments. This feedback mechanism allows pilots to maintain situational awareness of message relevance without actively searching through messages, reducing both time loss and distractions during critical operations.
3Device complexity
If datalink messages are displayed without context-sensitive positioning, then the display system remains simple, but pilots cannot understand which part of the flight a message is applicable to until they open and view the message
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the message display function with the flight path visualization function. Instead of keeping messages and flight path information separate, the system integrates message relevance indicators directly onto the graphical flight path representation. This merging allows the display to convey both flight path information and message applicability context simultaneously, providing pilots with immediate understanding of which messages apply to which flight segments without requiring additional display screens or complex interaction.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for displaying position sensitive datalink messages on avionics displays are provided. In one embodiment, a flight deck instrument display system for an aircraft comprises: a flight plan display screen that displays a graphical representation of at least a part of an aircraft's planned flight path together with symbology representing a position of the aircraft with respect to the aircraft's planned flight path; wherein the flight plan display screen further displays at least one symbol positioned along the graphical representation of at least a part of the aircraft's planned flight path that indicates a point of applicability for a received uplink datalink message.