Flight risk management system

• US 20070219831A1
• Filed: 08/15/2005
• Published: 09/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ne'Meth, Louis
• Original Assignee: Ne'Meth, Louis
• Inventors: Ne'meth, Louis
• Application Number:
  US11/203,923
• Publication Number:
  US 20070219831A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/4
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance

Abstract

A Flight Risk Management System (“FRMS”). The system provides supplementary preflight and in-flight guidance to relatively inexperienced owner/operators of high performance aircraft. A pilot wishing to enroll in the FRMS must have an aircraft equipped with an in-flight data recorder capable of monitoring the aircraft'"'"'s state and communicating this state to an FRMS dispatcher. The dispatcher analyzes each flight before its commencement and imposes restrictions designed to promote flight safety. The dispatcher monitors the flight in progress to ensure the pilot'"'"'s compliance with all directives. For most enrollees, participation in the FRMS is a mandatory condition precedent to the pilot'"'"'s insurance coverage. Thus, the potential loss of insurance coverage enforces compliance. In the preferred embodiment, the FRMS manages pilot training, pilot performance, aircraft maintenance, and flight risk assessment.

Claims

1. A method of managing risk of flight operations for a pilot operating an aircraft, comprising:

a. providing flight data monitoring means on said aircraft for monitoring flight data of said aircraft;

b. providing a dispatcher who is trained to monitor and supervise said flight operations, and to issue directives to said pilot;

c. providing flight data communication means on said aircraft for communicating said flight data from said aircraft to said dispatcher so that said dispatcher can monitor said flight data;

d. providing communication means between said dispatcher and said pilot so that said dispatcher can communicate said directives to said pilot; and

e. providing an insurance contract providing insurance coverage for said aircraft, wherein said insurance contract only provides said insurance coverage if said pilot complies with said directives issued by said dispatcher.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising providing an aircraft database accessible to said dispatcher, wherein said aircraft database provides data on said aircraft to said dispatcher.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising providing a pilot database, wherein said pilot database provides data on said pilot to said dispatcher.

4. A method as recited in claim 2, further comprising providing a pilot database, wherein said pilot database provides data on said pilot to said dispatcher.

5. A method as recited in claim 2, wherein said aircraft database is periodically updated to include all maintenance, repairs, and modifications performed on said aircraft.

6. A method as recited in claim 3, wherein said pilot database is periodically updated to include all training received by said pilot and said pilot'"'"'s actual flight history.

7. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said flight operations are governed in part by directives issued by air traffic control, further comprising providing communication means between said dispatcher and said air traffic control.

8. A method as recited in claim 2, further comprising:

a. providing a proposed flight plan for said aircraft to said dispatcher;

b. having said dispatcher compare said proposed flight plan to said aircraft database in order to determine whether said proposed flight plan is an unacceptable risk; and

c. having said dispatcher issue a directive disapproving said proposed flight plan if said proposed flight plan is an unacceptable risk.

9. A method as recited in claim 3, further comprising:

a. providing a proposed flight plan for said aircraft to said dispatcher;

b. having said dispatcher compare said proposed flight plan to said pilot database in order to determine whether said proposed flight plan is an unacceptable risk; and

c. having said dispatcher issue a directive disapproving said proposed flight plan if said proposed flight plan is an unacceptable risk.

10. A method as recited in claim 4, further comprising:

a. providing a proposed flight plan for said aircraft to said dispatcher;

b. having said dispatcher compare said proposed flight plan to said pilot database in order to determine whether said proposed flight plan is an unacceptable risk with respect to said pilot'"'"'s abilities;

c. having said dispatcher compare said proposed flight plan to said aircraft database in order to determine whether said proposed flight plan is an unacceptable risk with respect to said aircraft'"'"'s abilities; and

d. having said dispatcher issue a directive disapproving said proposed flight plan if said proposed flight plan is an unacceptable risk.

11. A method as recited in claim 2, further comprising:

a. providing a proposed flight plan for said aircraft to said dispatcher;

b. periodically updating said proposed flight plan with said flight data from said aircraft in order to create a revised flight plan;

c. having said dispatcher compare said revised flight plan to said aircraft database in order to determine whether said revised flight plan is an unacceptable risk; and

d. having said dispatcher issue a directive disapproving said revised flight plan if said revised flight plan is an unacceptable risk.

12. A method as recited in claim 3, further comprising:

a. providing a proposed flight plan for said aircraft to said dispatcher;

b. periodically updating said proposed flight plan with said flight data from said aircraft in order to create a revised flight plan;

c. having said dispatcher compare said revised flight plan to said pilot database in order to determine whether said revised flight plan is an unacceptable risk; and

d. having said dispatcher issue a directive disapproving said revised flight plan if said revised flight plan is an unacceptable risk.

13. A method as recited in claim 4, further comprising:

a. providing a proposed flight plan for said aircraft to said dispatcher;

b. periodically updating said proposed flight plan with said flight data from said aircraft in order to create a revised flight plan;

c. having said dispatcher compare said revised flight plan to said pilot database in order to determine whether said revised flight plan is an unacceptable risk with respect to said pilot'"'"'s abilities;

d. having said dispatcher compare said revised flight plan to said aircraft database in order to determine whether said revised flight plan is an unacceptable risk with respect to said aircraft'"'"'s abilities; and

e. having said dispatcher issue a directive disapproving said revised flight plan if said revised flight plan is an unacceptable risk.

14. A method as recited in claim 2, further comprising:

a. providing a proposed flight plan for said aircraft to said dispatcher;

b. providing a weather database accessible to said dispatcher, wherein said weather database provides weather data for a geographic region including said proposed flight plan;

c. having said dispatcher compare said proposed flight plan to weather data for said geographic region including said proposed flight plan in order to determine whether said proposed flight plan is an unacceptable risk; and

d. having said dispatcher issue, a directive disapproving said proposed flight plan if said proposed flight plan is an unacceptable risk.

15. A method as recited in claim 3, further comprising:

a. providing a proposed flight plan for said aircraft to said dispatcher;

b. providing a weather database accessible to said dispatcher, wherein said weather database provides weather data for a geographic region including said proposed flight plan;

d. having said dispatcher compare said proposed flight plan to weather data for said geographic region including said proposed flight plan in order to determine whether said proposed flight plan is an unacceptable risk; and

e. having said dispatcher issue a directive disapproving said proposed flight plan if said proposed flight plan is an unacceptable risk.

16. A method as recited in claim 4, further comprising:

a. providing a proposed flight plan for said aircraft to said dispatcher;

b. providing a weather database accessible to said dispatcher, wherein said weather database provides weather data for a geographic region including said proposed flight plan;

d. having said dispatcher compare said proposed flight plan to weather data for said geographic region including said proposed flight plan in order to determine whether said proposed flight plan is an unacceptable risk; and

e. having said dispatcher issue a directive disapproving said proposed flight plan if said proposed flight plan is an unacceptable risk.

17. A method as recited in claim 2, further comprising:

a. providing a proposed flight plan for said aircraft to said dispatcher;

b. periodically updating said proposed flight plan with said flight data from said aircraft in order to create a revised flight plan;

c. providing a weather database accessible to said dispatcher, wherein said weather database provides weather data for a geographic region including said revised flight plan;

d. having said dispatcher compare said revised flight plan to weather data for said geographic region including said revised flight plan in order to determine whether said revised flight plan is an unacceptable risk; and

e. having said dispatcher issue a directive disapproving said revised flight plan if said revised flight plan is an unacceptable risk.

18. A method as recited in claim 3, further comprising:

a. providing a proposed flight plan for said aircraft to said dispatcher;

b. periodically updating said proposed flight plan with said flight data from said aircraft in order to create a revised flight plan;

c. providing a weather database accessible to said dispatcher, wherein said weather database provides weather data for a geographic region including said revised flight plan;

d. having said dispatcher compare said revised flight plan to weather data for said geographic region including said revised flight plan in order to determine whether said revised flight plan is an unacceptable risk; and

e. having said dispatcher issue a directive disapproving said revised flight plan if said revised flight plan is an unacceptable risk.

19. A method as recited in claim 4, further comprising:

a. providing a proposed flight plan for said aircraft to said dispatcher;

b. periodically updating said proposed flight plan with said flight data from said aircraft in order to create a revised flight plan;

c. providing a weather database accessible to said dispatcher, wherein said weather database provides weather data for a geographic region including said revised flight plan;

d. having said dispatcher compare said revised flight plan to weather data for said geographic region including said revised flight plan in order to determine whether said revised flight plan is an unacceptable risk; and

e. having said dispatcher issue a directive disapproving said revised flight plan if said revised flight plan is an unacceptable risk.

20. A method as recited in claim 8, wherein if said dispatcher disapproves said proposed flight plan, having said dispatcher provide alternatives to said pilot which will allow said proposed flight plan to be modified and then approved.

21. A method as recited in claim 20, wherein said alternatives are selected from the group consisting of:

the provision of an approved copilot, the designation of time restrictions on said proposed flight plan, the designation of an altitude restriction on said proposed flight plan, the designation of an intermediate stop on said proposed flight plan, and the designation of an alternate route for said proposed flight plan.

22. A method as recited in claim 9, wherein if said dispatcher disapproves said proposed flight plan, having said dispatcher provide alternatives to said pilot which will allow said proposed flight plan to be modified and then approved.

23. A method as recited in claim 22, wherein said alternatives are selected from the group consisting of:

the provision of an approved copilot, the designation of time restrictions on said proposed flight plan, the designation of an altitude restriction on said proposed flight plan, the designation of an intermediate stop on said proposed flight plan, and the designation of an alternate route for said proposed flight plan.

24. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein if said dispatcher disapproves said proposed flight plan, having said dispatcher provide alternatives to said pilot which will allow said proposed flight plan to be modified and then approved.

25. A method as recited in claim 24, wherein said alternatives are selected from the group consisting of:

the provision of an approved copilot, the designation of time restrictions on said proposed flight plan, the designation of an altitude restriction on said proposed flight plan, the designation of an intermediate stop on said proposed flight plan, and the designation of an alternate route for said proposed flight plan.

26. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said flight data communication means stores said flight data and transmits said flight data to said dispatcher at fixed transmission intervals.

27. A method as recited in claim 26, wherein said dispatcher has the ability to vary said transmission intervals for said flight data.

28. A method as recited in claim 2, wherein said flight data communication means stores said flight data and transmits said flight data to said dispatcher at fixed transmission intervals.

29. A method as recited in claim 28, wherein said dispatcher has the ability to vary said transmission intervals for said flight data.

30. A method as recited in claim 3, wherein said flight data communication means stores said flight data and transmits said flight data to said dispatcher at fixed transmission intervals.

31. A method as recited in claim 30, wherein said dispatcher has the ability to vary said transmission intervals for said flight data.

32. A method of managing risk of flight operations for a pilot operating an aircraft, comprising:

a. providing flight data monitoring means on said aircraft for monitoring flight data of said aircraft;

b. providing a dispatcher who is trained to assist said pilot in said flight operations;

c. providing flight data communication means on said aircraft for communicating said flight data from said aircraft to said dispatcher so that said dispatcher can monitor said flight data;

d. providing communication means between said dispatcher and said pilot so that said dispatcher can communicate with said pilot;

e. providing an aircraft database accessible to said dispatcher, wherein said aircraft database provides data on said aircraft to said dispatcher;

f. providing a pilot database, wherein said pilot database provides data on said pilot to said dispatcher, including said pilot'"'"'s training and flight history; and

g. updating said aircraft database and said pilot database so that said dispatcher can retrieve current data on said aircraft and said pilot.

33. A method as recited in claim 32, further comprising:

a. providing a proposed flight plan for said aircraft to said dispatcher;

b. having said dispatcher compare said proposed flight plan to said aircraft database in order to determine whether said proposed flight plan is an unacceptable risk; and

c. if said proposed flight plan is deemed an unacceptable risk, having said dispatcher use said communication means between said dispatcher and said pilot to inform said pilot of said dispatcher'"'"'s opinion that said proposed flight plan is an unacceptable risk.

34. A method as recited in claim 33, further comprising:

a. providing a weather database accessible to said dispatcher, wherein said weather database provides weather data for a geographic region including said proposed flight plan;

c. having said dispatcher compare said proposed flight plan to weather data for said geographic region including said proposed flight plan in order to determine whether said proposed flight plan is an unacceptable risk; and

d. if said proposed flight plan is deemed an unacceptable risk, having said dispatcher use said communication means between said dispatcher and said pilot to inform said pilot of said dispatcher'"'"'s opinion that said proposed flight plan is an unacceptable risk.

36. A method as recited in claim 32, further comprising:

a. providing a proposed flight plan for said aircraft to said dispatcher;

b. periodically updating said proposed flight plan with said flight data from said aircraft in order to create a revised flight plan;

c. having said dispatcher compare said revised flight plan to said aircraft database in order to determine whether said revised flight plan is an unacceptable risk; and

d. if said proposed flight plan is deemed an unacceptable risk, having said dispatcher use said communication means between said dispatcher and said pilot to inform said pilot of said dispatcher'"'"'s opinion that said proposed flight plan is an unacceptable risk.

37. A method as recited in claim 36, further comprising:

a. providing a weather database accessible to said dispatcher, wherein said weather database provides weather data for a geographic region including said revised flight plan;

c. having said dispatcher compare said revised flight plan to weather data for said geographic region including said revised flight plan in order to determine whether said revised flight plan is an unacceptable risk; and

d. if said revised flight plan is deemed an unacceptable risk, having said dispatcher use said communication means between said dispatcher and said pilot to inform said pilot of said dispatcher'"'"'s opinion that said revised flight plan is an unacceptable risk.

38. A method as recited in claim 33, wherein if said dispatcher informs said pilot of said dispatcher'"'"'s opinion that said proposed flight plan is an unacceptable risk, having said dispatcher provide alternatives to said pilot which will allow said proposed flight plan to be modified in order to reduce said risk.

39. A method as recited in claim 38, wherein said alternatives are selected from the group consisting of:

the provision of an approved copilot, the designation of time restrictions on said proposed flight plan, the designation of an altitude restriction on said proposed flight plan, the designation of an intermediate stop on said proposed flight plan, and the designation of an alternate route for said proposed flight plan.

40. A method as recited in claim 36, wherein if said dispatcher informs said pilot of said dispatcher'"'"'s opinion that said revised flight plan is an unacceptable risk, having said dispatcher provide alternatives to said pilot which will allow said revised flight plan to be modified in order to reduce said risk.

41. A method as recited in claim 40, wherein said alternatives are selected from the group consisting of:

the provision of an approved copilot, the designation of time restrictions on said proposed flight plan, the designation of an altitude restriction on said proposed flight plan, the designation of an intermediate stop on said proposed flight plan, and the designation of an alternate route for said proposed flight plan.

42. A method of managing risk of flight operations for a pilot operating an aircraft, comprising:

a. providing flight data monitoring means on said aircraft for monitoring flight data of said aircraft;

b. providing a dispatcher who is trained to assist said pilot in said flight operations;

c. providing flight data communication means on said aircraft for communicating said flight data from said aircraft to said dispatcher so that said dispatcher can monitor said flight data;

d. providing communication means between said dispatcher and said pilot so that said dispatcher can communicate with said pilot;

e. providing an aircraft database accessible to said dispatcher, wherein said aircraft database provides data on said aircraft to said dispatcher;

f. providing a pilot database, wherein said pilot database provides data on said pilot to said dispatcher, including said pilot'"'"'s training and flight history;

g. updating said aircraft database and said pilot database so that said dispatcher can retrieve current data on said aircraft and said pilot; and

h. analyzing said aircraft database and said pilot database in order to determine the risk associated with said pilot performing said flight operations.

43. A method as recited in claim 42, further comprising:

a. providing an insurance contract providing insurance coverage for said aircraft; and

b. wherein the amount of coverage provided under said insurance policy is determined in part by said risk associated with said pilot performing said flight operations.

44. A method as recited in claim 42, further comprising:

a. providing an insurance contract providing insurance coverage for said aircraft; and

b. wherein the rate charged for said provision of said insurance policy is determined in part by said risk associated with said pilot performing said flight operations.