4D Trajectory Flight Plan Visualization for Deviation Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current flight management systems are inadequate in providing real-time situational awareness and updating four-dimensional flight plans during flight, especially when conditions like wind affect travel time, leading to air traffic delays that are not promptly realized.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a user interface and computer that displays graphical flight information, generating graphical display features based on flight plan waypoints and required times of arrival, continuously updating these features with estimated times of arrival to depict deviations and provide pilots with timely situational awareness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional flight management systems are used with pre-defined flight plans, then flight routing is established, but real-time situational awareness and timely detection of travel time deviations are not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously compares actual flight progress against the 4D flight plan and provides real-time feedback to the pilot through visual indicators. When the aircraft deviates from the scheduled trajectory in time or space, the system immediately alerts the pilot, enabling timely corrective action to maintain adherence to the flight plan.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-calculates and displays the four-dimensional trajectory with scheduled times at various waypoints before the flight begins. This allows the pilot to have advance knowledge of the expected flight path and timing, enabling proactive monitoring and early detection of any deviations from the plan.
2Reliability
If four dimensional flight plans are implemented for free flight mode, then accurate timing along the flight path is required to maintain airspace separation, but current systems are not designed to provide situational awareness of actual flight path
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses color-coded visual indicators to represent different aspects of flight status. The trajectory is displayed with color variations indicating whether the aircraft is ahead, on schedule, or behind the planned arrival time at various waypoints. This intuitive color-coding system makes it easy for pilots to quickly assess their 4D flight status without complex data interpretation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a time dimension to the traditional spatial flight path display by showing scheduled arrival times at waypoints and comparing them with actual times. This transforms the conventional 2D navigation display into a 4D visualization that includes time, allowing pilots to monitor both spatial position and temporal adherence to the flight plan simultaneously.
3Measurement precision
If wind conditions affect aircraft speed, then required time of arrival at waypoints may not be met, but air traffic delays are not realized until the aircraft reaches its destination
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors actual versus scheduled arrival times at waypoints and provides immediate feedback when deviations occur. This real-time feedback mechanism allows the pilot to detect wind-induced speed variations and timing deviations at the waypoint level, rather than discovering delays only at the final destination, enabling timely corrective actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-establishes the required time of arrival at each waypoint along the 4D flight plan before the flight begins. By having these scheduled times predetermined and continuously comparing them with actual arrival times, the system enables early detection of travel time deviations caused by wind or other conditions, allowing proactive management of flight delays.
Data Source
AI summary
The different advantageous embodiments provide a system comprising a user interface and a computer. The user interface comprises a display. The computer is configured to display information about time and position of an aircraft in relation to a number of waypoints for a flight on the display. The information is displayed using a number of graphical display features.