Aircraft Flight Plan Operational Distance Calculation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current flight management systems make minimalist assumptions about the distance of unspecified termination segments in flight plans, leading to significant discrepancies in calculated prediction elements such as fuel and descent profiles, which are not reflective of actual operational distances flown by aircraft.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that calculate an operational distance for unspecified termination segments by receiving geometric data, calculating a median plane, and determining the position of the segment's start point relative to this plane, providing a more accurate operational distance that reflects the actual distance flown by the aircraft.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a minimalist assumption of direct distance is used for unspecified termination segments, then the calculation is simple and quick, but the calculated distance is very different from the actual operational distance flown

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistance accuracyVSAvoidcalculation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-calculates and stores geometric data (start points, orientations, extensions) of flight plan segments during flight plan definition. This preliminary action enables accurate operational distance calculation for unspecified termination segments without requiring complex real-time computations during flight operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a median plane as an intermediary geometric construct to calculate operational distance. The median plane, defined by the start point and orientation of the following segment, serves as a reference to determine the operational distance of the unspecified termination segment, providing a more accurate measure than direct distance while avoiding full 3D path integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a direct distance assumption is made for unspecified termination segments, then the flight management system operates with minimal data, but prediction elements such as fuel consumption and descent profiles are significantly inaccurate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprediction accuracyVSAvoidgeometric data processing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Geometric data including start points, orientations, and extensions of flight plan segments are pre-defined and stored during flight plan creation. This preliminary preparation enables reliable operational distance calculation for unspecified termination segments without adding complexity to real-time flight management operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the simplistic mechanical assumption of direct distance with a geometric calculation method based on median plane intersection. This substitution provides more reliable prediction elements (fuel, descent profiles) by accounting for the actual spatial relationship between segments without requiring complex 3D path reconstruction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If the operational distance is calculated using actual geometric data and median plane methods, then the distance reflects the actual flight path more closely, but the calculation becomes more complex than simple direct distance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational distance accuracyVSAvoidcalculation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

All necessary geometric data (start points, orientations, extensions) are pre-established during flight plan definition. This preliminary action transforms a potentially complex real-time calculation into a straightforward computation using pre-defined parameters, maintaining ease of operation while improving accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The median plane serves as an intermediary construct that simplifies the calculation of operational distance. By defining the distance based on the relationship between the unspecified termination segment and the median plane of the following segment, the system achieves accurate measurement without requiring complex 3D path integration or multiple intermediate calculations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9530319B2Method and device for determining an operational distance of an unspecified termination segment of an aircraft flight plan

Publication Date: 2016.12.27 AIRBUS OPERATIONS (SAS)

AI summary

The device includes a receiving unit for receiving at least a start point of an unspecified termination segment, an orientation of the unspecified termination segment and a start point of a following segment, a first computation unit for calculating a median plane passing through the start point of the following segment and perpendicular to this following segment, a second computation unit for calculating an operational distance, called calculated operational distance, as a function of the position of the start point of the unspecified termination segment relative to the median plane, using geometric data, and a transmission unit for providing at least one user means with the calculated operational distance.