Remote Pilot Authority Control in Electric Aircraft Autopilot

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current electric aircraft systems lack effective mechanisms for remote pilot control during autopilot mode, particularly in preventing unsafe operations and ensuring compliance with regulations, such as avoiding excessive pitch or flying in restricted airspace.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for remote pilot control of electric aircraft that includes a flight controller connected to a remote computing device, determining the authority status of user inputs, and generating command datums to control flight components, allowing for full or partial control based on predefined thresholds and flight plans.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If autopilot mode is implemented to enable autonomous flight operations, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to lack of remote oversight and potential unsafe operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautonomous flight capabilityVSAvoidsafety of flight operations

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A remote computing device acts as an intermediary between the pilot and the aircraft's flight controller during autopilot mode. The device receives control inputs from the pilot, determines authority status based on flight conditions, and transmits appropriate commands to the flight controller, enabling remote oversight while maintaining autonomous operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the level of remote control authority based on flight conditions. The flight controller determines authority status (full, partial, or none) in real-time, allowing the remote pilot to have full control when safety concerns arise while enabling autonomous operation during normal conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If remote control authority is always full during autopilot mode, then reliability is improved through constant pilot oversight, but device complexity increases due to continuous communication and control mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepilot oversight capabilityVSAvoidcontrol system architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of providing full remote control authority in all situations, the system applies partial control authority only when necessary. The flight controller assesses flight conditions and grants full, partial, or no remote authority accordingly, reducing unnecessary complexity while maintaining safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The control system dynamically adjusts authority levels based on real-time flight conditions. The remote computing device transitions between different authority statuses (full control, partial control, no control) as needed, creating a flexible system that adapts to operational requirements without requiring complex continuous control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If multiple levels of control authority are implemented to balance autonomy and safety, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to complex authority determination logic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety through controlled authorityVSAvoidcontrol system operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The flight controller automatically determines the appropriate authority status based on flight conditions without requiring manual intervention from the remote pilot. The system self-adjusts control authority levels by evaluating flight parameters and regulatory constraints, simplifying operation while maintaining safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors flight conditions and provides feedback to the authority determination logic. Based on this feedback, the flight controller automatically adjusts remote control authority levels, ensuring safety while requiring minimal input from the remote pilot.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Reliability

If strict regulatory compliance checks are performed on control inputs, then reliability is improved through regulatory adherence, but productivity decreases due to additional verification steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveregulatory complianceVSAvoidflight operation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The flight controller pre-establishes regulatory constraints and authority thresholds before flight operations begin. By determining acceptable control input ranges and authority levels in advance, the system can quickly assess compliance during flight without requiring time-consuming verification steps, maintaining both regulatory adherence and operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12049310B2Systems and methods for remote pilot control of an electric aircraft

Publication Date: 2024.07.30 BETA AIR LLC

AI summary

A system for remote pilot control of an electric aircraft in autopilot mode including a remote computing device configured to receive a user input and generate a control datum as a function of the pilot input, a flight controller configured to receive the control datum from the remote computing device, and generate a command datum as a function of the control datum and an authority status, and the remote computing device configured to receive the command datum from the flight controller, and display the command datum.