Joint Decision-Making System for Aircraft Diversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication and decision-making processes between aircraft pilots and dispatchers during non-routine flight operations are inefficient due to inadequate real-time information sharing, leading to sub-optimal decision-making and increased workload, especially during emergency conditions where time-sensitive and accurate alternate airport diversions are required.
Innovation Solution
A Joint Decision-Making System (JDMS) that automatically detects trigger events, gathers and shares aircraft and external data between the pilot and dispatcher via ACARS or SATCOM, providing real-time advisory and graphical visualization of aircraft state, weather, and traffic data to facilitate joint decision-making, including machine learning for predicting potential violations and recommending optimal alternate airports based on airline policies and cockpit data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If voice communication or datalink transmission is used to relay information between dispatcher and pilot, then communication can be established, but the decision-making process becomes time-consuming and sub-optimal due to inadequate real-time information sharing
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the dispatcher's ground-based information resources (weather forecasts, traffic congestion data, airport conditions) with the pilot's onboard information (aircraft performance data, weather radar, flight management system) into a unified information platform accessible to both parties in real-time, eliminating information asymmetry and enabling faster joint decision-making
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a common information platform as an intermediary that automatically shares real-time data between the dispatcher and pilot, replacing manual voice communication and datalink transmission. This intermediary system ensures both parties have access to the same complete information simultaneously, reducing decision-making time while maintaining information completeness
2Productivity
If the dispatcher follows multiple flights simultaneously, then more flights can be managed, but the decision-making process becomes further time-consuming due to divided attention and inadequate real-time information
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automated information sharing and preliminary decision support where the common platform automatically provides both the dispatcher and pilot with real-time data and suggested decisions. This self-service capability allows the dispatcher to manage multiple flights simultaneously without sacrificing decision quality, as the system handles information gathering and presentation independently for each flight
Solution Approach 2:
The platform performs preliminary information gathering, processing, and presentation of decision options to both dispatcher and pilot before formal decision-making occurs. This preliminary action prepares both parties in advance, enabling faster final decisions even when the dispatcher is managing multiple flights
3Ease of operation
If alternate airport diversion is determined based solely on distance, then the selection process is simple, but it does not account for aircraft-specific parameters such as fuel flow, remaining fuel, cruise altitude, or airline policies
Solution Approach 1:
The system transforms the diversion selection process from a simple distance-based metric to a multi-parameter optimization problem that automatically incorporates aircraft-specific parameters (fuel flow, remaining fuel, cruise altitude), weather conditions, traffic congestion, airport conditions, and airline policies. The common platform processes these multiple parameters simultaneously to determine the optimal diversion airport, maintaining ease of operation while significantly improving accuracy
4Measurement precision
If negotiation and discussion occur between pilot and dispatcher to determine optimal alternate airport diversion, then the decision accounts for all relevant factors, but additional time delay occurs which may result in negative outcomes during emergency conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The common information platform performs preliminary analysis of all relevant factors (aircraft parameters, weather, traffic, airport conditions, airline policies) and presents pre-evaluated diversion options to both dispatcher and pilot before formal decision-making. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming negotiations about data interpretation, allowing both parties to quickly agree on the optimal diversion based on already-analyzed information
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time feedback to both dispatcher and pilot showing the same aircraft state, fuel information, and suggested diversion options simultaneously. This synchronized feedback eliminates information asymmetry that previously required back-and-forth negotiation, enabling both parties to make informed decisions independently and reach agreement faster while maintaining high accuracy
Data Source
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AI summary
A joint-decision making system for a vehicle operator and a dispatcher is disclosed, comprising: a vehicle operator engine implemented on a vehicle system configured to: detect a trigger event condition; retrieve vehicle information relevant to the event trigger condition; receive additional information relevant to the event trigger condition; generate a suggested response based on the trigger event condition, retrieved vehicle information, and received additional information; display the suggested response on a graphical user interface of the vehicle operator engine; and transmit the trigger event condition, vehicle information, and suggested response to a dispatcher engine; and the dispatcher engine implemented on a ground system configured to: receive the event trigger condition, vehicle information, and suggested response from the vehicle operator engine; retrieve the additional information relevant to the event trigger condition; and display the suggested response on a graphical user interface of the dispatcher engine.