Dynamic Bank Limit Indicator for Low-Speed Aircraft Maneuvering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pilots lack clear indication of bank limits when flying at speeds below the minimum maneuver speed, relying on feel and risk of exceeding safe bank angles, which can lead to stick shaker activation.
Innovation Solution
An aircraft control system that provides a bank limit indicator on the flight display, using data from sensors like static air pressure, pitot air pressure, angle of attack, and accelerometer to determine and display the bank angle limit, adjusting the display based on airspeed relative to the minimum maneuver speed and stick shaker speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pilots rely on feel to avoid exceeding bank limits at low speeds, then they can maintain aircraft control, but they risk exceeding safe bank angles and activating stick shaker
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors aircraft airspeed and compares it to minimum maneuver speed, then provides real-time visual feedback through the bank limit indicator on the flight display. When airspeed falls below minimum maneuver speed, the system dynamically calculates and displays the maximum safe bank angle, allowing pilots to adjust their maneuvers accordingly and avoid stick shaker activation.
2Loss of information
If no bank limit indication is provided at low speeds, then the flight display remains simple, but pilots lack critical information about safe bank angles
Solution Approach 1:
The bank limit indicator is not a static display element but a dynamic one that automatically adjusts based on current airspeed. The system calculates the maximum safe bank angle in real-time based on the ratio of current airspeed to minimum maneuver speed, then displays the corresponding bank limit arc on the flight display. This dynamic approach provides critical information only when needed (at low speeds), avoiding unnecessary complexity during normal operations.
3Ease of operation
If the bank limit indicator is always displayed, then pilots always have bank angle guidance, but it creates unnecessary distraction at higher speeds where full bank capability is available
Solution Approach 1:
The bank limit indicator is selectively activated based on the local condition of airspeed. The system monitors airspeed continuously and only displays the bank limit arc when airspeed falls below minimum maneuver speed. When airspeed is adequate, the indicator remains hidden, eliminating unnecessary visual clutter and allowing pilots to focus on other flight parameters without distraction.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for indicating a bank limit on an instrument display of an aircraft. In an example implementation, static air pressure measurements, impact air pressure measurements, an acceleration measurement, and an angle of attack may be received from corresponding sensors. A current airspeed and a stick shaker speed are determined. A minimum maneuver speed is determined from the current airspeed and the shaker stick speed. A bank limit indicator is provided on the flight display when the current airspeed is equal to or less than the minimum maneuver speed. A bank angle limit is displayed on the bank limit indicator based on the extent to which the current airspeed is equal to or less than the minimum maneuver speed.