Real-Time Flight Trajectory Revision System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air traffic management systems are not well-suited for enabling real-time, user-preferred flight trajectory revisions, often resulting in suboptimal flight routes due to congestion or weather, and lack the ability to consider airline-specific objectives and preferences effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system that analyzes multiple inputs, including airline preferences, live air traffic data, weather, and aircraft performance models, to generate conflict-checked, operationally preferred flight trajectory revisions, which can be communicated to air traffic controllers for approval and implementation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional air traffic management systems are used for flight routing, then safety and basic traffic control are maintained, but flight efficiency is reduced due to suboptimal routes caused by congestion and weather avoidance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system that acts as a mediator between air traffic control and flight operations. This system receives multiple inputs (weather data, traffic surveillance, flight plans, aircraft performance models) and generates optimized trajectory recommendations, serving as a bridge that translates complex operational requirements into actionable flight path adjustments without replacing existing ATC infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the flight trajectory optimization problem into distinct functional modules: weather analysis component, traffic congestion assessment module, aircraft performance modeling component, and trajectory generation engine. Each module processes specific inputs and contributes to the overall optimized trajectory, allowing independent optimization and maintenance of each segment
2Reliability
If flight routes are planned in advance to avoid congestion and weather, then safety is maintained, but real-time optimization opportunities are lost when conditions change
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where live air traffic surveillance data, real-time weather updates, and actual aircraft performance data are constantly fed back into the optimization engine. This allows the system to detect changes in traffic patterns, weather conditions, or aircraft state and generate updated trajectory recommendations, enabling dynamic adaptation while maintaining safety through continuous monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the static pre-flight planning process into a dynamic real-time optimization system. The trajectory generation engine continuously recalculates optimal paths based on current conditions, allowing flight routes to adapt dynamically to changing weather patterns, traffic congestion, and wind conditions throughout the flight, rather than relying on fixed pre-planned routes
3Stability of the object's composition
If standardized air traffic control procedures are followed, then operational consistency is maintained, but airline-specific objectives and preferences cannot be effectively incorporated
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by incorporating airline-specific objectives, preferences, and operational characteristics into the trajectory optimization process. Each airline can define its own performance models, cost indices, and operational constraints that are locally applied to generate customized trajectory recommendations while maintaining overall system-wide safety and consistency standards
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables parameter changes by allowing different airlines to input their specific operational parameters (such as cost indices, preferred altitudes, speed constraints, and performance models) into the system. The optimization engine adjusts trajectory parameters based on these airline-specific settings, generating customized flight paths that reflect each airline's operational preferences while maintaining adherence to air traffic control requirements
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for actively seeking and generating real-time, conflict-checked, operationally preferred flight trajectory revision recommendations are disclosed. The system analyzes air traffic based on a plurality of uniquely integrated inputs, to produce at least one conflict-checked, operationally preferred flight trajectory revision opportunity for an operating vehicle, and a communications component configured to communicate the at least one conflict-checked flight trajectory revision. In one embodiment, the system interfaces with the airspace user's operations center (e.g. Airline Operations Center), to communicate the operationally preferred flight trajectory revision opportunity, and allow the operator to make the decision whether to implement, and request the same from the Air Navigation Service Provider. In another embodiment, the system interfaces with the Air Navigation Service Provider, and while considering operator business objectives, and other constraints, directly aides the air traffic controller in determining more optimal flight trajectory revision opportunities.