Automated Turbulence Display System for Real-Time Pilot Awareness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft encounter turbulence due to unstable air, causing passenger and crew discomfort and potential injury, as existing methods rely on multiple sources of information that are not always timely or comprehensive for pilots to effectively avoid turbulent areas.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and apparatus that processes and displays turbulence information from remote aircraft data, allowing pilots to view and respond to turbulence reports in real-time through a network of data processing systems, including a processor unit, communications unit, and display device, enabling the identification and display of turbulence information on a map or chart.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If pilots rely on multiple sources of turbulence information (weather forecasts and pilot reports), then the comprehensiveness of turbulence information is improved, but the timeliness and ease of accessing this information deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple turbulence information sources (weather forecasts, pilot reports from multiple aircraft) into a single integrated database system. This consolidation allows pilots to access comprehensive turbulence information through one interface rather than checking multiple separate sources, thereby maintaining information completeness while reducing access time and complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements real-time feedback by collecting pilot reports of encountered turbulence and immediately making this information available to other pilots through the network. This creates a dynamic information stream where turbulence data is continuously updated and shared across the fleet, ensuring timely awareness of actual turbulence conditions
2Measurement precision
If pilots manually check multiple information sources for turbulence, then the accuracy of turbulence avoidance decisions is improved, but the ease of operation and workload deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automated information gathering and processing, retrieving turbulence data from multiple sources and presenting it in a standardized format without requiring pilots to manually query each source. This self-service approach maintains accurate turbulence detection while significantly reducing pilot workload and ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal access system that works across different aircraft types and flight conditions, providing a single interface that delivers accurate turbulence information regardless of the specific aircraft or operational context. This multi-functional approach ensures consistent accuracy while simplifying the interface pilots must use
3Speed
If real-time turbulence data from multiple aircraft is collected and processed, then the timeliness of turbulence information is improved, but the device complexity and data processing requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the data processing function into distributed segments across multiple aircraft and ground stations. Each aircraft independently reports turbulence data, and the network distributes processing loads, allowing real-time information delivery without requiring a single complex centralized processing system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a network infrastructure as an intermediary between turbulence data sources and pilots. This intermediary layer handles the complexity of collecting, filtering, and distributing data from multiple aircraft, presenting simplified real-time information to pilots while managing the underlying system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A method identifies turbulence information from turbulence data generated by a set of remote aircraft based on a request to form identified turbulence information. The turbulence information is identified in response to the request received at an aircraft to view the turbulence information. The identified turbulence information is displayed on a display device in the aircraft.