Engine-Out Takeoff Chart for Real-Time Obstacle Risk Awareness
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Solution Overview
Problem
During aircraft takeoff, pilots face challenges in navigating around obstacles when an engine fails, as existing systems lack effective real-time awareness of risk zones and terrain clearance, especially when the aircraft is already airborne or has reached minimum takeoff speed.
Innovation Solution
The development of an Engine Failure Awareness Chart (EFAC) system that uses a user interface and processor to determine and display minimum distances from ground-based obstacles, providing risk-level zones to pilots, allowing them to navigate safely and avoid obstacles by displaying regions indicative of different risk levels and updating in real-time based on aircraft performance and altitude.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the aircraft reaches minimum takeoff speed or becomes airborne, then the takeoff cannot be aborted, but the pilot loses the option to stop and must continue with engine-out flight
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations of obstacle clearance distances and risk zones before the engine failure occurs. By pre-computing safe flight paths and clearance requirements based on aircraft performance data and obstacle locations, the system provides the pilot with actionable guidance exactly when needed, transforming a reactive emergency situation into a managed procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The EFAC system acts as an intermediary between the aircraft's flight parameters and the external obstacle environment. It processes aircraft performance data, obstacle locations, and terrain information to generate risk assessments and clearance guidance, mediating the complex relationship between aircraft capabilities and environmental constraints during engine-out scenarios.
2Reliability
If the pilot needs real-time obstacle awareness during engine failure, then navigation safety improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The EFAC system integrates multiple functions into a single unified display: it combines obstacle clearance calculations, risk zone visualization, flight path guidance, and performance monitoring into one comprehensive interface. This multi-functionality provides comprehensive safety information without requiring separate systems for each function, thereby managing complexity while enhancing navigation safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically retrieves aircraft performance data from existing aircraft systems, accesses obstacle and terrain information from onboard databases, and continuously updates risk assessments without requiring manual pilot input. This self-service capability reduces the operational burden on the pilot while maintaining high navigation safety through continuous automated monitoring and recalculation.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method of displaying an Engine Failure Awareness Chart (EFAC) for aircraft with at least one engine out is shown and described herein. The EFAC may display lines and zones indicative of levels of risk of obstacles on the ground. The obstacles may be either man-made or natural structures. The EFAC may update continuously providing the pilot with a real-time awareness of the risks around the aircraft during an engine failure. Using the EFAC the pilot may navigate the aircraft to a landing area or back to the airport for landing.