Dynamic Radar Vectoring Energy Management Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pilots face challenges in maintaining situational awareness and managing the energy state of aircraft during radar vectored approaches, particularly due to deviations from predicted trajectories and lack of real-time energy management guidance.
Innovation Solution
The system determines a predicted lateral vectoring trajectory and corresponding reference vertical trajectory based on interception criteria, providing graphical indications to pilots on the difference between current and target energy state parameters, and dynamically updates these trajectories to reflect changes in aircraft status and ATC instructions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If radar vectoring is utilized by ATC to manage traffic flow, then traffic flow management and separation are improved, but pilot situational awareness with respect to energy state is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides continuous feedback to the pilot by displaying energy state parameters (altitude, airspeed, vertical speed) and their relationship to the predicted trajectory. This feedback loop allows pilots to understand how their current energy state aligns with the expected trajectory, compensating for the loss of situational awareness caused by radar vectoring deviations from predefined routes.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy management display system acts as an intermediary between the ATC radar vectoring instructions and the pilot's energy management decisions. It translates ATC headings and vectors into predicted trajectories with associated energy state guidance, bridging the information gap created by radar vectoring while maintaining safe approach conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If aircraft deviates from predefined route or procedure, then traffic flow and separation are improved, but energy state management awareness is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically updates the predicted lateral and vertical trajectories based on current ATC headings and aircraft energy state. As the aircraft deviates from predefined routes due to radar vectoring, the predicted trajectory adapts in real-time to reflect the new path, maintaining accurate energy management guidance throughout the deviation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system calculates and displays the predicted trajectory and energy management guidance in advance of the actual flight path. By showing pilots where they are expected to be and what energy state should be maintained, the system prepares pilots for upcoming energy management decisions before they execute maneuvers based on ATC instructions.
3Reliability
If modern autopilot and flight management systems leverage defined approach procedures, then stable approach is facilitated, but flexibility for radar vectoring is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The energy management display system serves multiple functions: it supports stabilized approaches along predefined routes while simultaneously adapting to radar vectoring deviations. The system can operate with either defined approach procedures or ATC-provided headings, making it universally applicable to different approach scenarios without compromising stable approach facilitation.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for guiding or otherwise assisting energy management of an aircraft radar vectoring en route to a runway. A method involves dynamically determining an updated predicted lateral trajectory for the radar vectoring when the current aircraft status fails to satisfy a trajectory execution criterion for a previously-predicted lateral trajectory by iteratively adjusting a runway interception point defining a segment aligned with the runway until arriving at the updated predicted lateral trajectory for which a stabilization criterion for the runway can be satisfied. The method determines a target value for an energy state parameter of the aircraft at a current location on the updated predicted lateral trajectory and provides indication of a recommended action to reduce a difference between a current value for the energy state parameter and the target value.