SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF IMPROVING OR INCREASING INFORMATION CONCERNING, PARTICULARLY, RUNWAY CONDITIONS AVAILABLE TO PILOTS OF LANDING AIRCRAFT

• US 20090125169A1
• Filed: 12/17/2007
• Published: 05/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Engineered Arresting Systems Corporation (The Zodiac Group)
• Original Assignee: Engineered Arresting Systems Corporation (The Zodiac Group)
• Inventors: Slimko, Mark A., Edwards, Daniel J., Mahal, Peter T.
• Granted Patent: US 8,224,507 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/16
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0013 with a ground station
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0078 for monitoring traffic from the aircraft radar or analogous systems specially adapted for traffic control G01S13/91
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0091 for monitoring atmospheric conditions radar or analogous systems specially adapted for meteorological use G01S13/95; meteorology G01W
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/025 Navigation or guidance aids radar or analogous systems specially adapted for landing purposes G01S13/913

Abstract

Addressed are systems and methods for providing to pilots of landing aircraft real-time (or near real-time) information concerning runway conditions and aircraft-stopping performance to be encountered upon landing. The systems and methods contemplate using more objective data than utilized at present and providing the information in automated manner. Information may be obtained by using conventional ground-based runway friction testers or, advantageously, by using air-based equipment such as (but not limited to) unmanned aerospace vehicles (UAVs).

Claims

1. A method of providing runway-related information to an operator of an aircraft A approaching a runway for landing or take-off, such runway-related information being generated in connection with travel of another aircraft B along at least a portion of the runway, the method comprising:

a. electronically gathering runway-related information based on the travel of aircraft B along at least the portion of the runway; and

b. transmitting at least some of the gathered runway-related information to aircraft A for evaluation by the operator for the purpose of deciding whether to land on or take-off from the runway.

2. A method according to claim 1 in which the act of transmitting at least some of the gathered runway-related information to aircraft A for evaluation by the operator occurs while aircraft A is airborne.

3. A method according to claim 2 in which the act of transmitting at least some of the gathered runway-related information to aircraft A for evaluation by the operator occurs while aircraft A is approaching the runway for landing.

4. A method according to claim 3 in which the act of transmitting at least some of the gathered runway-related information to aircraft A for evaluation by the operator occurs within thirty minutes after aircraft B travels along at least the portion of the runway.

5. A method according to claim 1 in which at least some of the gathered runway-related information is recorded on-board aircraft B.

6. A method according to claim 1 further comprising electronically processing at least some of the gathered runway-related information.

7. A method according to claim 1 in which aircraft B is unmanned.

8. A method according to claim 1 in which the runway-related information comprises information relevant to braking effectiveness of aircraft A.

9. A method according to claim 4 further comprising electronically processing, on-board aircraft B, at least some of the gathered runway-related information and in which:

(a) at least some of the gathered runway-related information is recorded on-board aircraft B;

(b) aircraft B is unmanned;

(c) the operator of aircraft A is a pilot; and

(d) the runway-related information comprises information relevant to braking effectiveness of aircraft A.

10. A system for providing runway-related information to an operator of an aircraft A approaching a runway for landing or take-off, such runway-related information being generated in connection with travel of another aircraft B along at least a portion of the runway, the system comprising:

a. means for electronically gathering runway-related information based on the travel of aircraft B along at least the portion of the runway; and

b. means for transmitting at least some of the gathered runway-related information to aircraft A for evaluation by the operator for the purpose of deciding whether to land on or take-off from the runway.

11. A system according to claim 10 in which the means for transmitting at least some of the gathered runway-related information to aircraft A for evaluation by the operator comprises means for transmitting at least some of the gathered runway-related information while aircraft A is airborne.

12. A system according to claim 11 in which the means for transmitting at least some of the gathered runway-related information to aircraft A for evaluation by the operator comprises means for transmitting at least some of the gathered runway-related information while aircraft A is approaching the runway for landing.

13. A system according to claim 12 in which the means for transmitting at least some of the gathered runway-related information to aircraft A for evaluation by the operator comprises means for transmitting at least some of the gathered runway-related information to aircraft A for evaluation by the operator within thirty minutes after runway-related information is gathered using the electronic gathering means.

14. A system according to claim 10 in which at least some of the gathered runway-related information is recorded on-board aircraft B.

15. A system according to claim 14 further comprising means for electronically processing of at least some of the gathered runway-related information.

16. A system according to claim 10 in which aircraft B is unmanned.

17. A system according to claim 10 in which the runway-related information comprises information relevant to braking effectiveness of aircraft A.

18. A system according to claim 13 further comprising means for electronically processing, on-board aircraft B, at least some of the gathered runway-related information and in which:

(a) at least some of the gathered runway-related information is recorded on-board aircraft B;

(b) aircraft B is unmanned;

(c) the operator of aircraft A is a pilot; and

(d) the runway-related information comprises information relevant to braking effectiveness of aircraft A.

23. A method according to claim 10 in which the means for electronically gathering runway-related information comprises an anti-skid controller of aircraft B.

19. A method of providing surface-related information to an operator of a first vehicle approaching a surface for purposes of travel, comprising:

a. causing a second vehicle, of the same type as the first vehicle, to travel along at least a portion of the surface;

b. electronically gathering surface-related information based on the travel of the second vehicle along at least a portion of the surface;

c. electronically processing at least some of the gathered surface-related information; and

d. transmitting at least some of the processed surface-related information to the first vehicle for evaluation by the operator for the purpose of deciding whether to travel along the surface.

20. A method according to claim 19 in which the first and second vehicles are ground-based motor vehicles and the surface is a roadway.

21. A method according to claim 19 in which the first and second vehicles are trains and the surface comprises a railway.

22. A method according to claim 19 in which the first and second vehicles are boats and the surface comprises a waterway.

24. A method of providing to an operator of an aircraft A information related to weather to be encountered by the aircraft A, such weather-related information being generated in connection with travel of another aircraft B, the method comprising:

a. electronically gathering weather-related information based on the travel of aircraft B; and

b. transmitting at least some of the gathered weather-related information to aircraft A for evaluation by the operator.

25. A method according to claim 24 in which the act of transmitting at least some of the gathered weather-related information to aircraft A for evaluation by the operator occurs within thirty minutes after the weather-related information is gathered.