Aircraft Wake Turbulence Alerts Using Projected Flight Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to promptly and effectively alert pilots of wake turbulence, leading to potential safety risks due to reliance on air traffic control notifications, which may be delayed or absent.
Innovation Solution
A control unit monitors the position and projected path of an ownship aircraft, tracks target aircraft, and determines projected wake turbulence, outputting alerts via display or speaker when the paths intersect, using AI or machine learning to filter relevant data and automatically adjust aircraft controls to avoid turbulence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If air traffic control personnel verbally inform pilots of wake turbulence, then pilots receive wake turbulence alerts, but the response time may be delayed and coverage may be incomplete
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables aircraft to autonomously detect and alert themselves about wake turbulence conditions through onboard sensors and processing units, eliminating reliance on air traffic control personnel for timely notifications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical system of air traffic control personnel verbally notifying pilots with an automated electronic system using sensors, processors, and display units to detect and communicate wake turbulence conditions
2Reliability
If air traffic control instructs pilots to maintain visual separation, then wake turbulence safety is maintained, but pilot workload increases and visual contact may not be achievable
Solution Approach 1:
The aircraft's onboard system automatically monitors and alerts the pilot about wake turbulence conditions, allowing the pilot to maintain normal operations without the added burden of actively seeking visual separation
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time feedback to the pilot through alerts and notifications about wake turbulence conditions, enabling informed decision-making without requiring continuous visual monitoring or complex manual separation procedures
3Reliability
If a comprehensive wake turbulence monitoring system is implemented, then pilot awareness and safety are improved, but system complexity and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is divided into distinct functional modules including sensors for detecting wake turbulence, a processing unit for analyzing data, and display units for presenting information to the pilot, allowing for manageable complexity and targeted functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts only the critical wake turbulence detection and alerting functions from a comprehensive aircraft monitoring system, focusing resources on the specific safety need rather than implementing full-spectrum monitoring
Data Source
AI summary
A system and a method include a control unit configured to monitor a first position of an ownship aircraft within an airspace, determine a projected path for the ownship aircraft within the airspace, monitor a second position of a target aircraft within an airspace, and determine a projected wake turbulence of the target aircraft within the airspace. The ownship aircraft is configured to be operated to avoid the projected wake turbulence.