Takeoff Performance Alert for Rotation Speed Disparity Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

During aircraft takeoff, pilots face a time-sensitive decision regarding whether to continue or reject the takeoff due to various conditions that may result in a less than optimal flight experience. Existing technologies struggle to provide timely and accurate alerts to support this decision.

Innovation Solution

The system generates a takeoff performance alert (TPA) by comparing real-time takeoff performance parameters with pre-defined requirements. This involves using All-Engine (AE) performance parameters to assess speeds and distances, and annunciating alerts through visual and audible indicators if deviations are detected.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If real-time monitoring and comparison systems are implemented to provide accurate takeoff performance alerts, then flight safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflight safetyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-calculates and stores takeoff performance requirements (such as V1 speed, rotation speed, climb gradient) before takeoff based on aircraft weight, environmental conditions, and runway characteristics. During takeoff, the flight management system automatically retrieves these pre-computed values and compares them with real-time actual performance data, eliminating the need for complex real-time calculations and reducing system complexity while maintaining high safety standards

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors actual takeoff performance parameters (acceleration, speed, altitude) and compares them against pre-defined requirements in real-time. When deviations exceed threshold values, the system generates automated alerts to the flight crew. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures timely detection of performance issues without requiring overly complex manual monitoring procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If comprehensive performance monitoring is conducted during takeoff roll, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveperformance parameter accuracyVSAvoidtakeoff decision time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts and monitors only the most critical takeoff performance parameters (such as acceleration rate, achieved speed at key points, and vertical climb gradient) rather than attempting to measure all possible flight parameters. This selective monitoring approach maintains high measurement precision for decision-making while minimizing data processing time and avoiding delays in takeoff execution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The flight management system performs rapid automated comparisons between actual performance and required performance thresholds at predetermined critical points during takeoff roll. Instead of continuous detailed analysis, the system checks key parameters at essential milestones (e.g., at V1 speed, at rotation) and immediately generates alerts if requirements are not met, enabling quick pilot response without time-consuming manual assessments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

Data Source

PatentEP4239431B1Takeoff performance alert
Publication Date: 2025.04.09 THE BOEING CO
  • EP4239431B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4239431B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4239431B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An aircraft includes at least one line replaceable unit (LRU) configured to determine, based on initial data collected prior to a takeoff roll of the aircraft, a takeoff rotation speed of the aircraft and a rotation time associated with the takeoff rotation speed. The LRU is configured to determine, during the takeoff roll and prior to the rotation time, a predicted speed of the aircraft at the rotation time. The predicted speed is at least partially based on data collected during the takeoff roll. The LRU is also configured to determine whether an alert condition is satisfied at least partially based on whether a disparity between the takeoff rotation speed and the predicted speed exceeds a rotation speed disparity threshold and to generate a takeoff performance alert in response to the alert condition being satisfied.