In-Flight Simulation Display With Altered Aircraft Response

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ground-based flight simulators are limited in the range of flight experiences they can provide, while in-flight simulators either lack visual or physical realism, failing to replicate diverse flight characteristics.

Innovation Solution

An aircraft-based system that generates and displays simulated flight scenarios with adjusted tactile feedback, using live flight data to create realistic flight experiences by modifying the aircraft's response to pilot inputs and displaying simulated flight data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If ground-based flight simulators are used to provide training, then pilots can practice flight scenarios safely, but the realism of flight experience is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety of flight trainingVSAvoidrange of flight experiences
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions flight simulation from ground-based to in-flight, adding a new dimension to the training experience. By conducting simulations during actual flight at high altitudes, the system provides both safety (through simulated scenarios) and enhanced realism (through actual flight conditions), resolving the contradiction between safety and experience range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The display system acts as an intermediary between the real flight environment and the simulated flight scenario. It overlays simulated terrain and flight data on the actual flight view, allowing pilots to experience diverse flight characteristics while maintaining safety through the mediator layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Illumination intensity

If in-flight simulators provide visual simulation experience, then pilots can see simulated terrain, but physical flight characteristics remain unchanged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual simulation qualityVSAvoidphysical flight characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges visual simulation with actual physical flight characteristics by conducting simulations during real flight. The system combines the visual display of simulated terrain with the genuine physical sensations of flying, creating a unified training experience that addresses both visual and physical aspects simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The flight simulation system serves multiple functions: it provides visual simulation display, maintains actual flight control, and adapts flight characteristics dynamically. This multi-functionality allows the system to deliver both visual realism and varied physical flight experiences through a single integrated platform.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Force

If in-flight simulators provide physical simulation experience, then pilots feel flight forces, but visual simulation is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetactile feedback qualityVSAvoidvisual simulation quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges enhanced tactile feedback with improved visual simulation by adjusting flight control responses and display quality simultaneously during in-flight operation, ensuring both sensory modalities work together to create immersive training scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If simulated flight scenarios use different flight characteristics, then training diversity increases, but complexity of simulation system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverange of flight scenariosVSAvoidsimulation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements parameter changes in flight characteristics (altitude, speed, terrain proximity) to create diverse training scenarios. By dynamically adjusting these parameters during flight, the system achieves high adaptability without requiring multiple separate simulation systems, thus managing complexity through flexible parameter control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3743904B1Flight simulation
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 BAE SYSTEMS PLC
  • EP3743904B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3743904B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3743904B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided a method and apparatus for simulating a flight scenario during a live flight of an aircraft. The method comprises: (i) generating (60) images comprising scenes relevant to the simulated flight scenario at a simulated altitude; (ii) calculating, using live flight data received for the aircraft and with reference to a predetermined flight model (65), simulated flight data for the simulated flight scenario at the simulated altitude; and (iii) displaying, on a display system (35) of the aircraft, the calculated simulated flight data while controlling the display of said generated scene images to simulate movement of the aircraft through the displayed scene at a rate and in a direction corresponding to the displayed simulated flight data. The method and apparatus may optionally alter the response of the aircraft to control actions (70) by a pilot to simulate the response expected of the aircraft having the simulated flight characteristics.