VNAV Profile-View Schematic for Flight Management Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Flight Management Systems (FMS) for Vertical Navigation (VNAV) are complex, leading to a steep learning curve for flight crews due to the multitude of display pages required to understand and interpret VNAV data, which complicates training and operational readiness.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced to present VNAV data using profile-view schematics that divide a flight plan into VNAV legs, with each leg featuring a top of climb (TOC) or top of descent (TOD) waypoint, generating and displaying active profile-view schematics based on the aircraft's location, thereby simplifying data presentation by focusing on relevant information for the active leg.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If multiple display pages are used to present VNAV data, then comprehensive navigation information is provided, but system complexity and difficulty of understanding increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the flight plan into discrete VNAV legs, with each leg represented as a separate segment in the profile-view schematic. This segmentation allows comprehensive navigation information to be presented in manageable, visually distinct units rather than overwhelming multiple display pages.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple pieces of VNAV information (vertical waypoints, altitude changes, distance markers) into a single integrated profile-view schematic display. This consolidation presents comprehensive navigation data in one unified visual representation rather than across multiple separate display pages.
2Loss of information
If multiple display pages are used to present VNAV data, then complete flight plan information is shown, but ease of operation and readability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional horizontal display pages to a vertical profile-view dimension. This dimensional change allows flight plan information to be visualized along the vertical altitude axis, making it easier to understand vertical navigation concepts and improving readability through intuitive graphical representation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses visual differentiation in the profile-view schematic, including color coding and graphical markers, to highlight active VNAV legs and important vertical waypoints. This visual enhancement improves readability and helps flight crews quickly identify critical information without complex text displays.
3Measurement precision
If detailed VNAV data is presented across multiple pages, then accurate navigation guidance is provided, but training difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically identifies and highlights the active VNAV leg based on current aircraft position, presenting relevant navigation information in advance before the flight crew needs to make decisions. This preliminary presentation of active leg information simplifies training by showing flight crews exactly what information is relevant at each phase of flight.
Data Source
AI summary
A schematic display for presenting vertical navigation (VNAV) data is disclosed. A planned route such as a flight plan is divided into a series of VNAV legs, and only a VNAV schematic that corresponds to the active VNAV leg is displayed. The VNAV schematic in accordance with the present disclosure is a profile-view schematic for the active VNAV leg, providing a visual representation indicating the locations of the upcoming Top of Climb (TOC) or Top of Descent (TOD). Additional VNAV data may also be presented to provide content context. Since the schematic display in accordance with the present disclosure only displays VNAV data relevant to the active VNAV leg at a given time, the complexities associated with displaying the VNAV schematic is reduced, making the VNAV data easy to read and understand.