Flight Controller Lag Timing for Autopilot-to-Pilot Handover
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electric aircraft, there is a need for an autopilot system that prevents pilots from performing actions that could risk the aircraft or violate regulations, such as exceeding safe pitch levels or speed limits, especially in restricted areas like cities or near airports.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that includes sensors detecting critical events and a flight controller determining an optimal lag duration for pilot intervention based on the aircraft's phase of operation and the critical event, allowing for smooth transition from autopilot to pilot control while ensuring safety and regulatory compliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the autopilot system immediately switches to pilot control upon detecting a critical event, then the safety response time is reduced, but the pilot may experience control instability or loss of situational awareness
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by gradually reducing autopilot authority and providing advance warning to the pilot before full disengagement. This allows the pilot to mentally prepare and gradually assume control, preventing sudden control instability while still ensuring timely safety response.
Solution Approach 2:
The transition from autopilot to pilot control is made dynamic rather than static. The system adjusts the level of autopilot authority in real-time based on the critical event severity and pilot response, creating a smooth, adaptive transition that maintains control stability while ensuring safety.
2Ease of operation
If the autopilot system provides a long lag duration before switching to pilot control, then control stability is maintained, but the safety response time is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary control adjustments gradually during the lag duration, reducing autopilot authority step-by-step while maintaining overall control stability. This allows extended transition time without compromising safety, as the pilot is progressively engaged before full disengagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The transition process uses periodic adjustments to autopilot authority rather than a single abrupt change. During the lag duration, the system periodically reduces control authority and checks pilot response, maintaining stability while ensuring timely safety response.
3Reliability
If the autopilot system restricts pilot actions to prevent risky maneuvers, then safety is improved, but the pilot's operational flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control restrictions imposed by the autopilot are dynamic rather than static. The system adjusts the level of restriction based on the current flight phase, critical event severity, and pilot requests, allowing operational flexibility to vary with operational context while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that allow the pilot to request and receive justification for control restrictions. When the pilot requests override, the system provides feedback explaining the safety concern, allowing the pilot to make informed decisions while understanding the safety rationale.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for lag optimization of pilot intervention is provided. A critical event may be identified while an electric aircraft is in an autopilot mode and operating primarily under autonomous functions; as a result, a flight controller of the system may switch from an autopilot mode to a manual mode, allowing pilot intervention. System made determine a lag duration as a function of the critical event and a phase of operation of the electric aircraft to determine a lag duration before pilot intervention occurs.