ASSISTED FLIGHT COMPUTER PROGRAM AND METHOD

• US 20080039988A1
• Filed: 08/08/2006
• Published: 02/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Garmin International, Inc. (Garmin Limited)
• Original Assignee: Garmin International, Inc. (Garmin Limited)
• Inventors: Carr, Thomas J., Estabrook, John T., Trope, Mitchell S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,180,503 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/14
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 13/18 using automatic pilot
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 25/00 Emergency apparatus or devices, not otherwise provided for parachutes B64D17/00, B64D19/00; jettisoning of fuel tanks or fuel per se B64D37/00; specially adapted for protection against criminal attack, e.g. anti-hijacking systems B64D45/0015 ; safety belts or body harnesses in general A62B35/00; safety belts or body harnesses for land vehicles B60R22/00; jettisonable parts of fuselage facilitating emergency escape B64C
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/04 Landing aids; Safety measures to prevent collision with earth's surface
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 23/00 Combined instruments indicating more than one navigational value, e.g. for aircraft; Combined measuring devices for measuring two or more variables of movement, e.g. distance, speed or acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0013 with a ground station
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0021 located in the aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0056 in an emergency situation, e.g. hijacking
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/025 Navigation or guidance aids radar or analogous systems specially adapted for landing purposes G01S13/913

Abstract

An assisted flight computer program and method which assist a non-pilot or partially incapacitated pilot to gain control of an aircraft, summon help, and then land the aircraft under the guidance of a tower controller. The assisted flight computer program is integrated into an avionics system and provides a guided, menu-driven user interface that is simple enough for non-pilots and partially incapacitated pilots to understand and follow in distress situations.

Claims

1. A method of assisting a person in controlling and landing an aircraft, with the assistance of an avionics system, when a pilot of the aircraft becomes incapacitated or partially incapacitated, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving an initiation input at the avionics system;

in response to the initiation input,

engaging an autopilot to stabilize flight of the aircraft,

alerting a ground controller that the aircraft is in an emergency situation, and

assisting the person in controlling the aircraft; and

wherein the engaging, alerting, and assisting steps are automatically performed by the avionics system.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the alerting step comprises changing a transponder setting of the aircraft to an emergency code.

3. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the alerting step comprises changing a radio on the aircraft to an emergency frequency and then prompting the person to transmit an emergency message.

4. The method as set forth in claim 3, wherein the prompting step includes the step of displaying the emergency message on a display in the aircraft and prompting the person to read the emergency message over the radio.

5. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the receiving an initiation input step is triggered by the person by operating a dedicated emergency input positioned in the aircraft.

6. The method as set forth in claim 1, further including the steps of determining a suitable airport at which to land the aircraft and then prompting the person to direct the aircraft to the airport, wherein the determining step is automatically performed by the avionics system.

7. The method as set forth in claim 6, wherein the determining step takes into account a factor selected from the group consisting of a distance between the aircraft and the airport;

approaches available at the airport;

fuel remaining in the aircraft;

altitude of the aircraft;

weather;

terrain near the aircraft;

terrain near the airport; and

performance characteristics of the aircraft.

8. The method as set forth in claim 1, further including the step of prompting the person to prepare the aircraft for landing, wherein the prompting step is automatically performed by the avionics system.

9. The method as set forth in claim 8, wherein the prompting step prompts the person to perform a function selected from the group consisting of:

changing a frequency of a radio on the aircraft;

setting a heading of the aircraft;

setting an altitude of the aircraft;

setting a holding pattern of the aircraft;

configuring an auto pilot of the aircraft;

performing a pre-landing checklist;

setting an approach of the aircraft;

setting an air speed of the aircraft;

setting or changing a flight plan for the aircraft;

drawing a VFR approach of the aircraft;

setting a barometric pressure correction setting of the aircraft;

changing a navigation setting of the aircraft;

setting a transponder code; and

setting a descent or climb rate.

10. A method of using an avionics system in an aircraft to assist a person in controlling and landing the aircraft when a pilot of the aircraft becomes incapacitated or partially incapacitated, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving at the avionics system an initiation input from the person;

engaging an autopilot to stabilize flight of the aircraft;

changing a transponder to an emergency setting;

prompting the person to transmit an emergency radio communication;

determining a suitable airport at which to land the aircraft and then prompting the person to direct the aircraft to the airport;

prompting the person to prepare the aircraft for landing; and

wherein the engaging, changing, prompting, and determining steps are automatically performed by the avionics system.

11. The method as set forth in claim 10, further including the step of automatically controlling a function of the aircraft with the avionics system to prepare the aircraft for landing.

12. The method as set forth in claim 11, wherein the automatically controlling a function step is selected from the group consisting of:

changing a frequency of a radio on the aircraft;

setting a heading of the aircraft;

setting an altitude of the aircraft;

setting a holding pattern of the aircraft;

configuring an auto pilot of the aircraft;

performing a pre-landing checklist;

setting an approach of the aircraft;

setting an air speed of the aircraft;

setting or changing a flight plan for the aircraft;

drawing a VFR approach of the aircraft;

setting a barometric pressure correction setting of the aircraft;

changing a navigation setting of the aircraft;

setting a transponder code; and

setting a descent or climb rate.

13. The method as set forth in claim 10, wherein the determining a suitable airport step takes into account a state of the aircraft.

14. The method as set forth in claim 13, wherein the state of the aircraft is selected from the group consisting of:

a position of the aircraft;

a heading of the aircraft;

an altitude of the aircraft;

a speed of the aircraft;

a flight plan for the aircraft;

a fuel level;

a wind speed experienced by the aircraft;

a wind direction experienced by the aircraft;

a temperature experienced by the aircraft;

a weather condition currently experienced or to be experienced by the aircraft;

a phase of flight of the aircraft;

a track of the aircraft;

a desired track of the aircraft;

an altitude pre-select;

a height above terrain or obstacles;

a position of other aircraft;

an auto pilot setting;

a trim setting;

a flaps setting;

a landing gear state;

an engine setting;

a manifold pressure;

an oil temperature;

an oil pressure;

an exhaust gas temperature;

a cylinder head temperature;

a state of an electrical system;

a vacuum system state;

an environmental control system state or setting;

an anti-icing setting; and

a V-speed setting.

15. The method as set forth in claim 10, wherein the prompting step includes the step of displaying the emergency message on a display in the aircraft and prompting the person to read the emergency message over the radio.

16. The method as set forth in claim 10, wherein the receiving an initiation input step is triggered by the person by operating a dedicated emergency input positioned in the aircraft.

17. An avionics system for an aircraft, the avionics system comprising:

an input for receiving an initiation signal from a dedicated emergency input device;

an autopilot for automatically controlling certain aspects of the aircraft;

a transmitter for sending transmissions from the aircraft; and

an assisted flight program, responsive to the initiation signal from the dedicated

emergency input device, and operable to

engage the autopilot to stabilize flight of the aircraft, and

alert a ground controller, through the transmitter, that the aircraft is in an emergency situation.

18. The avionics system of claim 17, wherein the assisted flight program is further operable to automatically control a function of the aircraft to prepare the aircraft for landing.

19. The avionics system of claim 18, wherein the automatically controlling a function step is selected from the group consisting of:

changing a frequency of a radio on the aircraft;

setting a heading of the aircraft;

setting an altitude of the aircraft;

setting a holding pattern of the aircraft;

configuring an auto pilot of the aircraft;

performing a pre-landing checklist;

setting an approach of the aircraft;

setting an air speed of the aircraft;

setting or changing a flight plan for the aircraft;

drawing a VFR approach of the aircraft;

setting a barometric pressure correction setting of the aircraft;

changing a navigation setting of the aircraft;

setting a transponder code; and

setting a descent or climb rate.

20. The avionics system as set forth in claim 17, wherein the avionics system alerts the ground controller by changing a transponder setting of the aircraft to an emergency code.

21. The avionics system as set forth in claim 17, wherein the avionics system alerts the ground controller by changing a radio on the aircraft to an emergency frequency and then prompting the person to transmit an emergency message to the ground controller.

22. The avionics system as set forth in claim 21, wherein the prompting step includes the step of displaying the emergency message on a display in the aircraft and prompting the person to read the emergency message over the radio.

23. The avionics system as set forth in claim 17, wherein the assisted flight program is further operable to determine a suitable airport at which to land the aircraft and then prompt the person to direct the aircraft to the airport.

24. The avionics system as set forth in claim 23, wherein the assisted flight program takes into account a factor selected from the group consisting of a distance between the aircraft and the airport;

approaches available at the airport;

fuel remaining in the aircraft;

altitude of the aircraft;

weather;

terrain near the aircraft;

terrain near the airport; and

performance characteristics of the aircraft when determining the suitable airport.