Electronic Taxi Clearance Recording on Airport Surface Map
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pilots face challenges in accurately recording taxi clearances due to the need to shift attention between verbal instructions and paper maps, leading to potential transcription errors and confusion during taxi operations.
Innovation Solution
An electronic system for recording taxi clearances on an interactive airport surface map displayed on a touch screen device, using a taxi path generator to highlight runways, taxiways, and cross/hold short indicators, allowing for graphical and textual input to facilitate accurate and efficient recording.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pilots record taxi clearances on paper charts, then they can have a physical reference, but they must constantly shift attention between verbal instructions and the map, leading to transcription errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the map display and clearance recording functions into a single integrated electronic system. The taxi clearance is overlaid directly on the airport surface moving map, allowing pilots to view both the graphical map and the recorded clearance route simultaneously without switching between separate paper documents or shifting attention between verbal instructions and manual transcription.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical process of manual transcription and paper-based recording with an electronic system that automatically captures and displays taxi clearances. The system uses electronic overlays and digital annotations on the airport surface moving map to present clearance information, eliminating the need for manual writing and reducing transcription errors.
2Weight of moving object
If pilots use electronic devices to reduce weight, then aircraft weight is reduced, but paper documents are still needed for reference
Solution Approach 1:
The airport surface moving map serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides situational awareness of the airport environment, displays the aircraft's ownship position, shows surface traffic, and overlays the recorded taxi clearance route. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate paper documents while providing comprehensive information access.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the navigation map and clearance documentation into a single integrated display. The electronic system combines the airport surface moving map with the taxi clearance route overlay, allowing pilots to access all necessary information from one electronic source rather than carrying multiple paper documents.
3Speed
If taxi clearances are provided via radio communication, then real-time instructions are received, but manual transcription leads to errors and confusion
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides visual feedback by displaying the recorded taxi clearance route overlaid on the airport surface moving map. This allows pilots to immediately verify the accuracy of the received clearance and compare it with their understanding, reducing transcription errors and providing a visual confirmation of the correct route.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual transcription of radio communications with an electronic system that automatically captures and displays taxi clearance information. The system converts verbal instructions into a visual graphical representation on the airport surface moving map, eliminating manual writing errors while maintaining real-time information delivery.
Data Source
AI summary
Present novel and non-trivial methods for electronically recording a taxi clearance on a display unit are disclosed. In one method, an interactive surface map is displayed from which selections of an assigned takeoff runway and taxiway(s) stated in a taxi clearance may be made electronically through advanced gesturing techniques. These selections highlight the surfaces stated in the taxi clearance. The selections may be made through a series of touch screen taps and/or by the grabbing, dragging, and releasing of a “rubber band” which snaps into place over the selected surface. In another method, an auto-route generating algorithm may be employed to create a preliminary taxi clearance after a presumed runway for takeoff has been selected by the pilot. Then, as the taxi clearance is being received, changes may be made through the pilot's interaction with the graphical user interfaces commensurate with the actual taxi clearance.