Terrain Deconflicted Custom Approach Procedure Construction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing custom procedure systems for aircraft do not effectively integrate terrain information during the entry of custom or contingency procedures, leading to potential terrain conflicts that can exacerbate stressful situations for pilots, particularly in high-workload scenarios, as terrain alerts and warnings are only provided after the procedure is submitted and in progress.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that allow pilots to enter custom procedures with real-time terrain integration, assessing potential conflicts and providing advisory recommendations to adjust waypoints, ensuring a terrain-deconflicted flight path before submission to the Flight Management System, using a user interface that receives user-entered waypoints, constructs a 3D flight path, assesses terrain data, and iteratively adjusts the path to avoid conflicts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If terrain information is integrated in real-time during custom procedure entry, then safety is improved by detecting terrain conflicts before flight, but device complexity increases due to integration of terrain database and assessment algorithms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the terrain database, terrain assessment algorithms, and custom procedure entry interface into an integrated system. The processing system combines multiple functions (waypoint entry, 3D flight path construction, terrain data retrieval, conflict detection) into a unified custom procedure system that operates seamlessly during procedure creation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs terrain conflict detection during the custom procedure entry phase, before the procedure is submitted for execution. This preliminary assessment identifies and flags potential terrain conflicts early, allowing pilots to adjust waypoints proactively rather than reacting to alerts during flight.
2Loss of time
If terrain assessment is performed during custom procedure entry, then loss of time is reduced by avoiding post-submission alerts and re-definition, but computing resources increase due to real-time terrain data processing
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs terrain assessment during the custom procedure entry phase, completing all necessary computations before procedure submission. This preliminary action prevents time loss during flight by avoiding post-submission alerts and the need to re-define procedures, while the computations are efficiently managed during the planning phase when the aircraft is already powered on.
Solution Approach 2:
The custom procedure system automatically performs terrain assessment without requiring separate pilot actions. The system self-services by integrating terrain data retrieval and conflict detection as automatic background processes that occur concurrently with procedure entry, minimizing additional computational overhead.
3Ease of operation
If the interface for entry of waypoints is linked with terrain information, then ease of operation is improved by providing advisory recommendations, but device complexity increases due to integration of terrain database
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time feedback to pilots during custom procedure entry by displaying terrain conflict alerts and advisory recommendations. When terrain conflicts are detected, the system automatically generates suggestions for resolving conflicts, such as alternative waypoints or adjusted flight paths, enabling pilots to make informed decisions without leaving the entry interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The terrain database and assessment functionality are merged directly into the custom procedure entry interface. This integration allows pilots to access terrain information and receive advisory recommendations within the same workflow used for entering waypoints, eliminating the need to switch between separate systems or consult external resources.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for creating a custom approach procedure are provided. The systems and methods receive a plurality of user entered waypoints constituting a provisional custom approach procedure from a user interface. A three-dimensional (3D) flight path is constructed connecting the way points with the constraint that the 3D flight path is a descent path with no climb segments. Terrain data along the 3D flight path is obtained from a terrain database. The 3D flight path is assessed with respect to the terrain data to detect one or more terrain conflicts. An output is generated and provided to the user interface based on the detected one or more terrain conflicts.