Automatic From-Waypoint Updating During Radar Vector Intercepts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft systems fail to automatically update the from-waypoint during radar vector changes, leading to confusion, inappropriate behavior, unresolved discontinuities, and increased risk of misarmed modes and unstable flight, particularly during high-workload arrival and approach phases.
Innovation Solution
An aircraft system that includes a processor and display device, which automatically updates the from-waypoint by rendering a trajectory line graphic and designating the intersecting waypoint as the new from-waypoint, using different display paradigms to indicate the current flight leg and from-waypoint, thereby reducing pilot workload and improving crew awareness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pilot manually updates the from-waypoint during radar vectors, then the flight plan can be adjusted, but the workload increases and the risk of errors increases during high-workload phases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs the from-waypoint update function without requiring pilot intervention. The flight management system monitors aircraft position, detects when interception conditions are met, and autonomously updates the from-waypoint designation, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring manual pilot input during high-workload phases
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors aircraft position, flight plan status, and interception conditions to provide real-time feedback. When the aircraft satisfies interception criteria, the system automatically triggers the from-waypoint update and provides visual feedback to the pilot through the display device, ensuring the flight plan remains synchronized with actual flight conditions
2Reliability
If the system automatically updates the from-waypoint, then crew awareness and flight stability improve, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flight management system performs multiple functions including navigation, position monitoring, interception condition evaluation, and from-waypoint management through a single integrated system. The processor executes comprehensive logic that handles various flight scenarios (direct to waypoint, radar vectors, re-interception) using unified algorithms, reducing the need for separate dedicated systems while maintaining flight stability
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines the from-waypoint update function with the existing flight management and navigation systems. The processor integrates interception condition monitoring, automatic update logic, and display presentation into a unified workflow, merging multiple previously separate functions into a single coherent system that improves reliability without proportionally increasing complexity
3Stability of the object's composition
If unused waypoints remain in the flight plan during radar vectors, then the flight plan structure is maintained, but confusion and discontinuities occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically removes unused waypoints from the flight plan during radar vector operations. When the aircraft is vectored off the original flight plan and a new from-waypoint is designated, waypoints between the original from-waypoint and the new from-waypoint are extracted and removed from the active flight plan, preventing confusion while maintaining the integrity of the remaining flight plan structure
Solution Approach 2:
The flight plan is made dynamic and adaptive to actual flight conditions. The system continuously evaluates whether waypoints should be included or removed based on current flight status, radar vector instructions, and interception conditions. This dynamic adjustment ensures the flight plan reflects actual intended routing, eliminating discontinuities and improving waypoint usage clarity
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method for providing automatic from-waypoint updating includes determining when a flight plan has been received that includes rendering a lateral map image that includes an aircraft icon and a flight leg to be captured. A variable position user input device supplies a signal representative of its position. A processor processes the signal from the variable position user input device and commands a display device to render a trajectory line graphic that (a) extends from the aircraft icon in a direction that corresponds to the position of the variable user input device and (b) intersects the at least one flight leg to be captured. The flight plan is automatically updated to designate the waypoint at the start of the at least one flight leg as a from-waypoint.