4D Flight Plan Generator Using Weather and Safety Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flight planning systems lack the ability to incorporate real-world environmental and tactical information beyond winds and temperatures aloft, leading to inaccuracies and inconsistencies due to the limitations of forecasted data.
Innovation Solution
A 4D flight plan generator that considers weather, meteorological data, and safety-of-flight information for 360-degree horizontal layers at all relevant altitudes and times, allowing for dynamic route decisions based on user preferences and aircraft configuration, using a system that integrates weather service servers, safety-of-flight servers, and aviation document databases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional flight planning systems use only winds and temperatures aloft for computing times and fuel consumed, then the system simplicity is maintained, but the accuracy and reliability of flight plan data deteriorates due to inaccuracy and inconsistency in forecasted data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the flight planning system into multiple independent data sources including winds and temperatures aloft, real-time weather data, meteorological information, and safety-of-flight information. Each segment provides specific types of data that can be processed independently, allowing the system to maintain accuracy while managing complexity through modular architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The system integrates multiple data sources that serve universal purposes - weather data, meteorological information, and safety information all contribute to route optimization, time calculation, and fuel consumption estimation. This multi-functionality allows a single system to address various aspects of flight planning accuracy simultaneously
2Reliability
If conventional flight planning systems rely on forecasted weather data from multiple forecasters, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the reliability of the flight plan deteriorates due to inaccuracy and inconsistency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple data sources including forecasted weather data, real-time weather information, and meteorological data into a unified flight planning system. By combining these sources and processing them through a single system that applies consistent algorithms, the patent eliminates inconsistencies between different forecasters while maintaining ease of operation through automated integration
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates real-time weather data and safety-of-flight information that provide feedback on actual conditions versus forecasted conditions. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adjust and refine flight plans based on actual observations, improving reliability while maintaining operational simplicity through automated adjustments
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional flight planning systems are restricted to using only winds and temperatures aloft, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to real-world environmental and tactical information deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic flight planning system that can adapt to changing conditions by incorporating real-time weather data and meteorological information. The system dynamically adjusts flight plans based on current environmental conditions and tactical information, allowing it to respond to changing situations while managing data processing complexity through automated algorithms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds another dimension to traditional flight planning by incorporating safety-of-flight information and real-time weather data beyond the traditional winds and temperatures aloft. This dimensional expansion allows the system to consider a broader range of factors including turbulence, thunderstorms, and other environmental conditions that affect flight safety and efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus that generates a 4D flight plan that takes in account weather, metrological data, and safety of flight information for 360 degree horizontal layer at all relevant altitudes and times is disclosed. The method may include receiving a flight plan request from a user, the flight plan including user preferences, receiving meteorological information and safety-of-flight information based on the user's origin, destination and preferences, generating a 4D flight plan based on the meteorological information, safety-of-flight information, and user preferences, and outputting the 4D flight plan for the user.