Semiautonomous flight director

• US 20020030142A1
• Filed: 01/22/2001
• Published: 03/14/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/1996
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Terry Jack James
• Original Assignee: Terry Jack James
• Inventors: James, Terry Jack
• Granted Patent: US 6,460,810 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/194
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 29/0025 the propellers being fixed relative to the fuselage
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/60 for transporting passengers; for transporting goods other than weapons
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/10 autonomous, i.e. by navigating independently from ground or air stations, e.g. by using inertial navigation systems [INS]
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/20 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/10 Wings
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/26 Ducted or shrouded rotors
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/13 using external fans or propellers
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/14 ducted or shrouded
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/83 using parachutes, balloons or the like

Abstract

A device for programming industry standard autopilots by unskilled pilots. The effect of the invention is such that when the invention is employed in a flying body comprising an industry standard autopilot with a digital flight control system, the invention provides for the safe operation of any aircraft by an unskilled pilot. The device additionally affords skilled pilots a more rapid and simplified means of programming autopilots while in flight thus reducing a skilled pilot'"'"'s cockpit workload for all aircraft flight and directional steering, way points, and aircraft flight functions reducing the possibility of pilot error so as to effect safer flight operations of an aircraft by affording a skilled pilot to direct aircraft steering and function while under continuous autopilot control.

Claims

1. A device for safely eliminating and/or supplanting aviation piloting skills in flying and operating any flying body employing an autopilot, wherein the device comprises a means to interface with an autopilot and interpret an unskilled pilot'"'"'s desired flight direction/function of a flying body;

translating the unskilled pilot'"'"'s desired flying body flight direction/function and subsequently programing the flying body'"'"'s autopilot to effect the unskilled pilot'"'"'s flight direction/function concurrently disallowing any unsafe or negative flight maneuver or flight regime of the flying body.

2. A horizontal and vertical take off and landing unmanned aerial vehicle of U.S. Pat. No. 5,890,441 comprising the device of claim 1.

3. A flying body capable of horizontal and/or vertical flight comprising the device of claim 1.