Vertical Situation Display Holding Pattern Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft pilots face challenges in accurately perceiving and managing flight conditions during holding patterns due to limited representation on existing navigational and vertical situation displays, which can impact safety and effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a vertical situation display (VSD) with a first screen area depicting a holding pattern and a second screen area showing the flight path outside of the pattern, providing enhanced visual cues and real-time updates to improve pilots' understanding of flight conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a traditional navigational display is used to show holding patterns, then the display structure remains simple, but the pilot's situational awareness and understanding of flight conditions are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension to the traditional lateral navigational display by implementing a Vertical Situation Display (VSD) that shows altitude, vertical speed, and flight path angle in addition to horizontal position. This dimensional enhancement allows pilots to perceive holding pattern geometry and flight conditions from both lateral and vertical perspectives simultaneously, significantly improving situational awareness without adding separate display devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The display is segmented into distinct functional areas: a first screen area dedicated to showing the holding pattern geometry and a second screen area showing the flight path outside the holding pattern. This segmentation allows each area to be optimized for its specific purpose while working together to provide comprehensive situational awareness, resolving the contradiction between information completeness and display complexity.
2Measurement precision
If the holding pattern is shown in detail on the display, then pilots gain better understanding of flight conditions, but the visibility of flight path outside the holding pattern is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The display screen is divided into two distinct areas: the first screen area displays the holding pattern with detailed geometric information, while the second screen area simultaneously displays the flight path outside the holding pattern. This spatial segmentation resolves the information conflict by providing dedicated display real estate for each type of information, allowing pilots to access both holding pattern details and overall flight path context without compromise.
3Reliability
If existing flight instruments are used during holding pattern maneuvers, then the instrument system remains simple, but pilots cannot fully appreciate different factors affecting flight safety
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances the traditional navigational display by adding a vertical situation display component that provides three-dimensional flight path visualization. This dimensional enhancement allows pilots to better appreciate vertical flight factors, holding pattern geometry, and potential collision risks, thereby improving flight safety through enhanced situational awareness rather than through additional separate instruments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the traditional lateral navigational display with a vertical situation display into an integrated display system. By combining these functions in a single unified interface with multiple screen areas, the system provides comprehensive flight information without requiring multiple separate instruments, thus improving safety while controlling system complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Techniques for representing a holding pattern on a vertical situation display are described. The vertical situation display has a first screen area to depict the holding pattern and second screen area to show a flight path after the holding pattern. The representation of the holding pattern visually informs a flight crew of current and prospective flight conditions.