Integrated MSA and MVA Display for Aircraft Flight Decks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pilots lack the ability to independently verify Minimum Vectoring Altitudes (MVA) during vectoring instructions, increasing cockpit workload and potentially compromising obstacle and terrain avoidance, as MVA information is not typically displayed on flight deck displays and combining it with Minimum Safe Altitude (MSA) information results in a confusing display.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for displaying integrated minimum safe and vectoring altitude information on an aircraft's display device, including a graphical representation of safe and vectoring altitude sectors, with the aircraft's current location shown within these sectors, using visually distinguishing characteristics to indicate if the aircraft is at or below the minimum altitude levels, allowing pilots to quickly verify their altitude status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If MVA information is not displayed on flight deck displays, then the display remains simple and clear, but pilots cannot independently verify altitude clearances and must rely on ATCO instructions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines MVA information with MSA information on a single flight deck display device. The system integrates multiple altitude information sources (MVA from ATC system and MSA from flight management system) into a unified display, allowing pilots to simultaneously view both types of altitude data without requiring separate displays or chart references.
2Loss of information
If conventional MVA charts are combined with MSA information on a display device, then complete altitude information is available, but the display becomes confusing with a tangle of sector lines and radials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the display into distinct visual regions: MSA sectors are displayed with their own characteristic markings while MVA sectors are displayed with different visual characteristics. This segmentation allows both types of altitude information to be presented simultaneously without creating a confusing tangle of overlapping sector lines, as each system's sectors are visually differentiated and organized.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different visual qualities and display characteristics to different parts of the display. MSA information is presented with specific visual attributes (such as color coding, line styles, or labeling conventions) while MVA information is presented with distinct visual attributes, allowing pilots to quickly distinguish between the two types of altitude data without confusion.
3Loss of information
If pilots rely on conventional MVA charts during vectoring instructions, then MVA information can be obtained, but cockpit workload significantly increases during high stress periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables pilots to independently verify altitude clearances by displaying MVA information directly on the flight deck display device. Pilots no longer need to manually reference external MVA charts or interpret complex chart data during high-stress vectoring operations. The system automatically provides the necessary MVA information in a clear, easily interpretable format, reducing cognitive load and workload.
Solution Approach 2:
The MVA information is pre-integrated into the flight deck display system and automatically updated in real-time as the aircraft moves through different airspace sectors. This eliminates the need for pilots to perform manual chart interpretation during critical vectoring operations, as the information is already prepared and presented in a ready-to-use format.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method is provided for displaying integrated minimum vectoring and safe altitude information on a display device in an aircraft. The method comprises displaying a graphical representation of a safe altitude sector and a vectoring altitude sector on the display device, and displaying a graphical representation of the aircraft on the display device to indicate the current location of the aircraft and a minimum altitude value associated therewith. The safe altitude sector corresponds to a first geographic area having a designated minimum safe altitude value associated therewith. The vectoring altitude sector corresponds to a second geographic area having a designated minimum vectoring altitude value associated therewith that is below the designated minimum safe altitude value. The graphical representation of the aircraft is displayed within at least one of the graphical representation of the safe altitude sector and the graphical representation of the vectoring altitude sector.