Process for generating computer flight plans on the internet

• US 20060031006A1
• Filed: 09/28/2005
• Published: 02/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stenbock Enterprises LLC
• Original Assignee: Stenbock & Everson
• Inventors: Stenbock, Roger Maria, Euerson, Kyle Braden
• Granted Patent: US 7,640,098 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/200
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3881 Tile-based structures
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 23/005 Flight directors indicating arrangements specially adapted for rotary gyroscopes G01C19/32
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0034 Assembly of a flight plan

Abstract

A process for generating computer flight plans on the Internet with the elements of: a raw XY&Z database of chart data, a data base containing aircraft data, a software system to create VFR, IFR and Road charts, an Internet web site accessible by a Client computer, a software system which computes flight plans requested by the Client computer, a software system which allows for navigation data and aircraft editing by means of the Internet web site Client computer, and a software system which allows for outputting flight plans by means of the Internet web site Client computer. A alternate embodiment includes wherein said elements include a local area network consisting of a service and number of local Client computers or an Intranet network which is connected by means other than wires such as infrared or radio signals. A preferred embodiment includes further comprising the step(s) of computing by means of a software systems a cross section of the flight plan and displaying same in a profile window in which the route is displayed relative to terrain elevation, obstruction elevation, airspace, weather and flight altitude.

Claims

1. A process for generating computer flight plans on the Internet comprising the elements of:

a) a raw XY&

Z database of chart data;

b) a data base containing aircraft data;

c) a software system to create VFR, IFR and Road charts;

d) an Internet web site accessible by a Client computer;

e) a software system which computes flight plans requested by means of the Internet web site Client computer;

f) a software system which allows for navigation data and aircraft editing by means of the Internet web site Client computer; and

a software system which allows for outputting flight plans by means of the Internet web site Client computer.

2. A process for generating computer flight plans on the Internet as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the steps of compiling a data base containing topographical data in the form of X,Y, and Z axis coordinates and process for of creating Background images (charts) which are color coded according to elevation using a software system and further generating relief chart shading by use of a software system in which said charts are shaded according to elevation and illumination angle.

3. A process for generating computer flight plans on the Internet as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the step of compiling a data base containing navigational data, obstruction data and other chart feature data in the form of X,Y, and Z axis coordinates and of merging topographical, navigational and Road data into one image (chart) by means of a software system.

4. A process for generating computer flight plans on the Internet as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the step(s) of placing text and other textual chart description in such a way as not to overwrite one text element with another.

5. A process for generating computer flight plans on the Internet as claimed in claim 1 wherein said element comprise a data base of rasterized charts consisting of pre-defined scales and chart features and a data base of routes consisting of pre-defined waypoint.

6. A process for generating computer flight plans on the Internet as claimed in claim 1 wherein said elements include a local area network consisting of a service and number of local Client computers or an Intranet network which is connected by means other than wires such as infrared or radio signals

7. A process for generating computer flight plans on the Internet as claimed in claim 6 further comprising the step(s) of computing by means of a software systems a cross section of the flight plan and displaying same in a profile window in which the route is displayed relative to terrain elevation, obstruction elevation, airspace, weather and flight altitude.