Onboard Circling Approach Guidance System for Aircraft Runway Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pilots face difficulties in performing circling approaches during low visibility conditions due to challenges in visualizing spacing, altitude, speed, and traffic restrictions, which can lead to increased workload and safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that provides circling approach data onboard an aircraft, using a processor to identify an optimal runway, determine circling boundaries, and construct lateral and vertical paths based on circling procedures and temporary restrictions, while presenting graphical and textual information to guide the aircraft safely to the optimal runway.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If pilots rely on traditional aviation charts and traffic information for circling approaches, then they can perform the maneuver with available information, but they face difficulty visualizing spacing restrictions, altitude restrictions, speed restrictions, and traffic restrictions during heavy workload times
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a simplified graphical copy of the complex circling approach procedure, displaying the aircraft position, circling boundary, and optimal runway on a display device. This visual copy replaces the need for pilots to mentally process multiple separate chart elements, making restriction information immediately visible and reducing cognitive workload during the maneuver.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms two-dimensional aviation charts into an enhanced visual representation that adds dimensional context through graphical display of the circling boundary and aircraft position. This dimensional enhancement provides spatial awareness that flat charts cannot convey, allowing pilots to better visualize the three-dimensional circling approach envelope and restrictions.
2Reliability
If pilots perform circling approaches during low visibility conditions using traditional methods, then they can attempt the maneuver, but spatial problems and safety risks increase due to difficulty in visualizing restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses color-coded graphical elements to represent different restriction types and aircraft status. The display device presents visual information with color distinctions that make spacing, altitude, and traffic restrictions immediately distinguishable, compensating for reduced visual acuity during low visibility conditions and enhancing pilot awareness of spatial parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system acts as an intermediary between the complex air traffic control restrictions and the pilot, automatically processing restriction data and presenting it in an intuitive visual format. This intermediary function translates regulatory requirements into easily interpretable graphical cues, reducing the difficulty of detecting and measuring spatial parameters during low visibility circling approaches.
3Loss of information
If the system provides comprehensive circling approach data including lateral paths, vertical paths, and temporary restrictions, then pilot situational awareness is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system integrates multiple functions into a single integrated display: showing aircraft position, circling boundary, optimal runway identification, lateral and vertical guidance paths, and temporary restrictions all in one visual presentation. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate systems or instruments, providing comprehensive guidance information without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges lateral path guidance, vertical path guidance, and temporary restriction information into a unified graphical display. By combining these separate guidance elements into a single integrated visual representation, the system provides comprehensive circling approach information while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate display systems or instruments.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for providing circling approach data onboard an aircraft is disclosed. For a current, circling approach of the aircraft to a destination airport, the method identifies a circling approach procedure applicable to an optimal runway, by a processor communicatively coupled to a system memory element configured to store a database of circling approach procedures and a source for temporary restrictions; determines a circling boundary to the optimal runway, based on the circling approach procedure; determines temporary circling restrictions for the aircraft, based on conflicting traffic from at least a second airport; constructs a lateral path and a vertical path to guide the aircraft to the optimal runway of the destination airport, based on the circling approach procedure, the circling boundary, and the temporary circling restrictions; and presents graphical elements and text associated with the circling approach procedure, the circling boundary, and the temporary restrictions, by a display device.