Aircraft Glide Slope Display System with Deviation Icon
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft glide slope indicators do not intuitively depict the current aircraft glide slope deviation to pilots, potentially leading to incorrect maneuvers during landing operations, especially in instrument flight conditions.
Innovation Solution
A flight deck display system that simultaneously renders a glide slope icon representing the desired aircraft glide slope and a glide slope deviation icon, with the deviation icon being offset from the desired icon by a distance proportional to the actual deviation, and using color or size variations to indicate the magnitude of deviation, providing a more intuitive representation of the aircraft's position relative to the desired glide slope.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional glide slope indicators display a single geometric symbol relative to another symbol, then the display is simple and reliable, but the indicator does not intuitively depict the current aircraft glide slope deviation to the pilot
Solution Approach 1:
The display is segmented into multiple distinct visual elements: a desired glide slope indicator (first set of symbols), an actual glide slope indicator (second set of symbols), and a deviation indicator (third set of symbols). Each element serves a specific function in conveying glide slope information, allowing the pilot to intuitively understand both the target and current position while maintaining a structured, non-overwhelming display layout.
2Ease of operation
If the glide slope deviation is not clearly visualized, then the display structure remains simple, but the pilot may not correctly maneuver the aircraft to reduce the glide slope deviation
Solution Approach 1:
The display provides continuous feedback to the pilot by showing both the desired glide slope and the actual glide slope simultaneously. The deviation between these two indicators is clearly visualized, giving the pilot immediate feedback on whether the aircraft is above, below, or on the desired glide slope, enabling correct and timely maneuvering decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs color variations to indicate glide slope deviation status. Different colors are used to represent different deviation conditions (e.g., above glide slope, on glide slope, below glide slope), making the deviation information immediately recognizable and enhancing the pilot's ability to quickly assess and respond to the aircraft's position relative to the desired path.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for displaying aircraft glide slope includes determining a glide slope deviation that is representative of a difference between a desired aircraft glide slope and an actual aircraft glide slope. A glide slope icon that is representative of the desired aircraft glide slope and a glide slope deviation icon that is representative of the determined glide slope deviation are simultaneously rendered on a display.