Virtual Runway Indicators for Low Visibility Landing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft landing systems rely heavily on runway infrastructure, which can be inadequate in low visibility conditions, leading to increased costs and limitations in landing capabilities due to varying lighting systems and infrastructure availability.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that uses a data processing system to display graphical indicators on an aircraft's display, providing information about the runway's features without relying on external lighting or infrastructure, by identifying the runway within a selected distance and displaying corresponding graphical indicators based on the aircraft's field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional runway lighting systems are used to provide guidance during low visibility conditions, then pilots can identify the runway for landing, but the expense and complexity of these systems increase operating expenses at airports
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the runway environment by generating a three-dimensional graphical representation of runway features and displaying it on the head-up display. This virtual runway model replicates the appearance and characteristics of the actual runway, allowing pilots to obtain landing guidance information without relying on complex physical lighting systems at the airport
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical runway lighting system with an electronic display system. Instead of using physical lights projected onto the runway, the system uses a data processing system to generate graphical indicators and display them on a head-up display, substituting the traditional optical-mechanical approach with an electronic information processing approach
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex lighting systems are installed to provide guidance at lower visibility levels, then aircraft can land at these airports, but the cost and maintenance expenses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a virtual replica of the runway environment that can be displayed under various visibility conditions. By generating a three-dimensional graphical representation of runway features and displaying it on the head-up display, the system enables aircraft to land at airports without requiring expensive physical lighting infrastructure, thus improving adaptability while reducing manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual runway system serves multiple functions: it provides landing guidance, displays runway features, and operates under various visibility conditions without requiring different physical infrastructure. The same electronic display system can be used across different airports and visibility conditions, making the solution universal and cost-effective
3Productivity
If airports install expensive lighting systems to enable landings during low visibility, then more aircraft can land, but operating expenses at airports increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system generates a virtual copy of the runway environment that can be displayed on the head-up display during low visibility conditions. This approach enables landing operations without requiring expensive physical lighting systems to be installed and operated at the airport, thus maintaining productivity while eliminating the ongoing energy costs and operating expenses associated with traditional lighting systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the aircraft's own onboard equipment (data processing system and head-up display) to provide landing guidance, rather than relying on external airport infrastructure. The aircraft essentially serves itself by generating and displaying the virtual runway information, eliminating the need for airport-operated lighting systems and their associated operating expenses
Data Source
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AI summary
A method, apparatus, and computer program product for displaying information about runways. A runway for an aircraft is identified when the aircraft is within a selected distance of the runway. A number of graphical indicators are displayed on a display in a flight deck. The number of graphical indicators corresponds to a number of features of the runway present in a field of view for an eye reference point in the flight deck.