Runway Geospatial Detection of Aircraft Touch-and-Go Events
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems lack an efficient method to detect and log aircraft touch-and-go operations, which are crucial for maintenance and safety purposes.
Innovation Solution
A device equipped with processors and memory is configured to receive airport runway geospatial data and aircraft location data, determining whether a touch-and-go operation has occurred by identifying specific altitude and position changes, and generating a notification accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual tracking of touch-and-go operations is used, then maintenance scheduling can be performed, but the detection accuracy and automation level are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual tracking methods with an automated electronic detection system that uses GPS location data and altitude information to automatically identify touch-and-go operations. This substitution of mechanical/manual processes with electronic automation resolves the contradiction by achieving high detection accuracy through automated analysis of aircraft position and altitude data without requiring complex manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service detection by automatically processing aircraft location and altitude data to identify touch-and-go operations without requiring manual observation or reporting. The automated system serves itself by using existing GPS and flight data to perform detection, logging, and maintenance scheduling functions, thereby achieving accurate detection without increasing operational complexity.
2Extent of automation
If automated detection system is implemented, then detection accuracy improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-functional automated detection system that simultaneously performs detection, logging, and maintenance scheduling functions. By consolidating multiple functions into a single integrated system, the patent achieves high automation levels while managing complexity through functional integration rather than proliferation of separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses GPS location data and altitude information as intermediary data elements to enable automated detection without requiring direct complex interactions between multiple subsystems. These standardized data intermediaries simplify the automation process by providing uniform input for detection algorithms, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining high automation levels.
3Reliability
If touch-and-go operations are not tracked, then operational simplicity is maintained, but maintenance scheduling and safety monitoring are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that automatically log touch-and-go operations and provide information for maintenance scheduling. This feedback loop ensures reliable safety monitoring by continuously tracking aircraft operations and using the data to trigger appropriate maintenance actions, thereby achieving high reliability without requiring complex manual tracking systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection and logging of touch-and-go operations during flight, preparing maintenance information in advance before maintenance is actually needed. This preliminary action ensures reliable safety monitoring by having maintenance data ready beforehand, eliminating the need for complex post-flight analysis systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes receiving, at one or more processors, airport runway geospatial data indicating a geospatial area associated with an airport runway and an altitude associated with the airport runway. The method also includes receiving aircraft location data associated with an aircraft. The aircraft location data indicates a position of the aircraft at different times and an altitude of the aircraft at different times. The method further includes determining whether the aircraft performed a touch-and-go operation on the airport runway based on the airport runway geospatial data and the aircraft location data. The touch-and-go operation includes the aircraft contacting the airport runway and subsequently taking off from the airport runway without stopping. The method also includes generating a notification in response to a determination that the aircraft performed the touch-and-go operation.