Externally Mounted Low Visibility Aid Device for Light Aircraft
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Light aircraft lack advanced avionics and navigation systems for low visibility situations, making it difficult for pilots to receive accurate and timely flight data without integrating aftermarket components, which can be costly and require recertification of primary instruments.
Innovation Solution
An externally mounted low visibility aid device with a sensor suite, control unit, and power generation system that captures and transmits flight data, including audiovisual, altitude, and attitude information, wirelessly to a user device, allowing real-time display without affecting the aircraft's primary instrumentation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If light aircraft integrate aftermarket flight data components with the primary instrument panel, then pilots can receive accurate and timely flight data in low visibility situations, but the aircraft requires expensive recertification and the installation becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the flight data collection and transmission functions from the primary instrument panel system. The externally mounted device independently captures flight data using its own sensors and transmits it wirelessly to the pilot's device, eliminating the need to integrate with or recertify the aircraft's primary certification instruments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary wireless communication system between the flight data sensors and the pilot. Instead of direct integration with the instrument panel, the externally mounted device uses wireless transmission (such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi) to convey flight data to the pilot's smartphone or tablet, serving as a mediator that avoids complex electrical integrations.
2Reliability
If light aircraft integrate aftermarket flight data components with the primary instrument panel, then pilots can receive accurate and timely flight data in low visibility situations, but the recertification process becomes arduous and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for certification integration by extracting the flight data function from the certified primary instrument panel. The externally mounted device operates independently with its own sensors and wireless transmission, bypassing the certification process entirely while still providing accurate flight data to the pilot.
3Device complexity
If light aircraft use rudimentary panel-mounted instrument packages, then the aircraft maintains simplicity and lower cost, but pilots lack advanced avionics and navigation systems for low visibility situations
Solution Approach 1:
The externally mounted device is self-contained with its own power generation unit, sensor suite, and wireless transmission capabilities. It does not require the aircraft's existing electrical system or instrument panel infrastructure, allowing it to add advanced low visibility capabilities while maintaining the simplicity of the original rudimentary instrument package.
Solution Approach 2:
The externally mounted device provides multiple functions including flight data capture, wireless transmission, and low visibility navigation assistance, all in a single unit that can be added to any light aircraft regardless of its existing instrument configuration, making the system universally applicable.
Data Source
AI summary
A low visibility aid device includes a main body having a front end, a back end, a middle section and an interior space. A mounting bracket extends outward from the main body for securing the device onto a manned aircraft for use during flight. A sensor suite is positioned within the main body to capture flight data information including audiovisual information, altitude information, attitude information and heading information of the aircraft during flight. A control unit having a wireless communication unit is positioned within the main body and selectively transmits the flight data information to a user device. A power generation unit generates power for use by the system components during device operation.