Vertical Flight Level Selection Display for Aircraft Crew Assistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aircraft crews face challenges in efficiently requesting and executing changes in flight altitude due to overburdened air traffic controllers, latency in oceanic spaces, and the need for manual data entry, which can lead to errors and missed opportunities.

Innovation Solution

A device that provides intuitive graphical means for selecting target altitudes, displaying tactical situations in the vertical plane, and computing feasibility of flight level changes, including real-time data processing and pre-formatted request generation for air traffic controllers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual data entry and radio transmission are used for flight level change requests, then crew can communicate with air traffic controllers, but errors in data entry and interpretation occur and workload increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of data transmissionVSAvoidworkload of crew

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically extracts traffic situation data from ADS-B and other sources, computes feasibility of flight level changes, and generates pre-formatted requests without requiring manual data entry by the crew. The system serves itself by autonomously preparing all necessary information for controller communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical data entry and radio transmission with an automated electronic system that uses computing means to process traffic data, evaluate feasibility criteria, and transmit pre-formatted requests through data link communication, eliminating manual errors and reducing workload.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of information

If traditional horizontal plane display is used for traffic information, then crew can see surrounding aircraft positions, but vertical plane situational awareness is lost and manual reconstruction is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevertical plane situational awarenessVSAvoidcomplexity of display system

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adds a vertical dimension to the traditional horizontal plane CDTI display by introducing flight level indicators and vertical separation information. This allows the crew to perceive both horizontal and vertical positions of surrounding aircraft on a single integrated display, eliminating the need for manual reconstruction of the three-dimensional traffic situation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If ATSA-ITP procedure with additional data transmission is used, then more flight level changes can be performed, but interpreting errors increase due to fine-tuned analysis requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrequency of flight level changesVSAvoidaccuracy of tactical situation analysis

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors traffic situation data from ADS-B and other sources, providing real-time feedback on the feasibility of flight level changes. The computing means evaluate current separation distances, vertical velocities, and traffic patterns to dynamically determine when flight level changes are safe and permissible, ensuring accurate tactical analysis while enabling frequent maneuvers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a computing means as an intermediary between the raw traffic data and the crew's decision-making. This intermediary automatically processes and interprets complex tactical situation data, applying ATSA-ITP criteria and generating clear feasibility assessments, thereby eliminating interpreting errors while maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If oceanic HF link communication is used, then air traffic control authorization can be obtained, but strong latency in processing requests occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthorization from air traffic controlVSAvoidlatency in request processing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary computation of flight level change feasibility using onboard ADS-B traffic data before transmitting requests to air traffic control. By pre-evaluating separation distances, vertical velocities, and tactical conditions, the system prepares complete, well-informed requests that can be processed more quickly by controllers, reducing overall latency despite HF link constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9214087B2Device for assisting aircraft crew when performing flight level changes

Publication Date: 2015.12.15 DASSAULT AVIATION SA

AI summary

This device providing assistance to aircraft crew for a flight level change of the aircraft in air traffic, comprising means for viewing the position of the aircraft in the vertical plane, is wherein the viewing means comprise: display means capable of displaying an image comprising at least one zone corresponding to a target altitude (FL) for the aircraft, and in that it comprises: selection means for selecting said zone in the image.