Runway Distance Alerting System for Landing Precision
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Pilots face challenges in accurately judging the remaining runway length during landing, leading to potential runway excursion due to inadequate situational awareness, especially when the aircraft touches down beyond the intended point.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that provide selective alerts to the pilot regarding the distance remaining to the end of the runway by comparing the aircraft's position to data stored in a runway database, using aural and visual cues, and suppressing alerts based on landing or go-around intentions, ensuring timely and relevant information during the flare to touchdown phase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the pilot relies on manual judgment of runway distance during flare to touchdown, then the pilot maintains full situational awareness and control, but the accuracy of judging remaining runway length is insufficient leading to potential runway excursion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of a database storing runway end positions and a processing system that calculates remaining distance. This intermediary automatically computes and provides distance information to the pilot, eliminating the imprecision of manual judgment while maintaining pilot awareness through structured information delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring aircraft position and comparing it against stored runway data, then providing real-time information about remaining runway distance. This closed-loop feedback enables the pilot to adjust the flare maneuver based on accurate, up-to-date distance information rather than estimation.
2Loss of information
If the system provides continuous alerts about remaining runway distance, then the pilot gains enhanced situational awareness, but the pilot may experience information overload or distraction during the critical landing phase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by providing distance information selectively rather than continuously. It triggers alerts only when the aircraft is within a specific envelope (vertical and horizontal boundaries) where such information would be useful, avoiding unnecessary alerts during go-arounds or when already beyond the runway end.
Solution Approach 2:
The alerting system differentiates its behavior based on local conditions - it activates with specific vertical and horizontal boundaries defining when alerts should occur. The system adjusts its information provision based on the aircraft's specific position and flight phase, providing detailed distance information only when relevant to the landing maneuver.
3Manufacturing precision
If the system calculates and displays precise distance to runway end, then the pilot can make targeted touchdown to optimize stopping distance, but the system complexity increases with database requirements and position monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The system leverages existing multi-functional aircraft systems - using the same position monitoring infrastructure already deployed for navigation and approach guidance. The database of runway positions can serve multiple purposes including approach planning, missed approach procedures, and landing performance calculation, amortizing the complexity across multiple functions.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for selectively alerting a pilot of an aircraft about distance remaining to the end of a runway. A position of the aircraft is received. A position of a runway is retrieved from a runway database. The retrieved position of the runway is compared to the received position of the aircraft to determine if the aircraft is within an alert envelope relative to the retrieved position of the runway. The position of the runway is subtracted from the position of the aircraft to determine a distance to the distal end of the runway. An alert to the pilot is generated based upon the distance to the distal end of the runway.