Steep Approach Arming Automation for Pilot Workload Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pilots face increased workload during steep approach procedures due to higher complexity and the need for precise aircraft system checks, which can be error-prone and time-consuming, especially in urban or mountainous environments.
Innovation Solution
A flight management system that automatically determines if a steep approach is required based on the glide slope angle, generates a request to arm the steep approach function, and conducts necessary aircraft system checks to ensure technical capability, thereby reducing pilot workload and preventing inadvertent arming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pilots manually perform aircraft system checks for steep approach procedures, then the aircraft can be ensured to be technically capable of performing the steep approach, but the pilot workload increases and the process becomes time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The flight management system automatically performs the aircraft system checks without pilot intervention. The system retrieves approach procedure data, determines if it indicates a steep approach, automatically arms the steep approach function, and conducts the necessary system checks, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring pilot manual verification
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs the arming of the steep approach function and system checks in advance during the approach procedure setup phase, before the actual steep approach is executed. This preliminary automated verification ensures technical capability is confirmed beforehand, reducing in-flight workload and potential errors
2Ease of operation
If the steep approach function is automatically armed based on approach procedure data, then pilot workload is reduced and inadvertent arming is prevented, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flight management system performs multiple functions using the same automated process: retrieving approach procedure data, determining steep approach conditions, arming the steep approach function, and conducting system checks. This multi-functional automation reduces the need for separate manual procedures while managing system complexity through consolidation
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for automatically arming a steep approach function of an aircraft are disclosed. One exemplary method comprises automatically initiating arming of the steep approach function of the aircraft based on data (e.g., glide slope angle) associated with the approach procedure to be performed by the aircraft.