Flight Deck Braking Action Graphics Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft accidents and incidents often result from runway overrun and veer-off events due to inadequate understanding of braking conditions, as liquid or solid contaminants on the runway reduce braking friction, necessitating improved methods for aircrews to receive real-time braking action information.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a flight deck system that receives and visually conveys real-time braking action information through a datalink, using a controller to generate braking action graphics on cockpit displays, and incorporates this data into Runway Awareness and Alert Systems and Flight Management Systems for enhanced safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If braking action information is provided through traditional voice broadcasts or digital messages, then aircrews receive braking condition information, but the information delivery is delayed and may not be dynamically updated in real-time
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements real-time feedback by continuously receiving braking action information via datalink communications and dynamically updating the airport display. The controller monitors incoming data and automatically refreshes the braking action graphic without requiring manual pilot input or waiting for scheduled ATIS updates, ensuring the displayed information reflects current runway conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional voice broadcast and manual message reading mechanisms with an automated electronic display system. The controller processes datalink communications and generates visual braking action graphics on the airport display, substituting the mechanical/manual information delivery process with an automated electronic system that provides continuous real-time updates.
2Reliability
If braking action information is integrated into multiple flight deck functions, then pilot awareness and safety are enhanced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The airport display serves multiple functions: it displays navigation information, airport surface mapping, and braking action graphics simultaneously. The same display infrastructure and controller that manage standard airport mapping are also used to present braking condition information, allowing one system to perform multiple functions without adding separate dedicated displays or controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges braking action information presentation with the existing airport display system rather than creating a separate dedicated display. The controller integrates braking action graphics into the airport map view, combining navigation and braking condition information in a single unified display interface, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
3Loss of information
If visual braking action graphics are displayed on the airport display, then pilot awareness of braking conditions is enhanced, but the display information density increases
Solution Approach 1:
The braking action graphic is displayed locally at the specific location on the airport map where the runway is shown, rather than presenting all information in a separate panel or requiring pilot verbal confirmation. Each runway's braking action is indicated at its corresponding position on the visual airport map, allowing pilots to obtain information precisely where they need it in their spatial context.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses color-coded graphics to convey braking action categories (such as good, fair, poor, or contaminated conditions) visually on the airport display. Different colors or shading patterns represent different braking action levels, allowing pilots to rapidly assess runway conditions through color recognition rather than reading detailed numerical data or waiting for voice announcements.
Data Source
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AI summary
Flight deck systems (20) are provided for integrating braking action information with flight deck runway functions. In one embodiment, the flight deck system includes a cockpit display device (28) on which an airport display (42, 50, 60), such as a two dimensional or three dimensional Airport Moving Map, is generated. A controller (22) is coupled to the cockpit display device and configured to produce a braking action graphic (44, 58, 68, 70, 72, 74) on the airport display indicative of the current braking action of a first runway (52, 54, 62, 64) approached for usage by the aircraft. The controller may determine the current braking action of the runway from braking action information received over a datalink (24). Further, in certain embodiments, the controller can assign the current braking action to a predetermined braking action category and produce the braking action graphic to visually identify the assigned braking action category.