APPARATUSES AND METHODS FOR DISPLAYING AUTOFLIGHT INFORMATION
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Abstract
Apparatuses and methods for displaying autoflight information and controlling autoflight systems. In one embodiment, a flight deck for an aircraft having an autoflight system includes at least one pilot seat, at least one window positioned forward of the pilot seat, and a forward instrument panel positioned forward of the pilot seat. In one aspect of this embodiment, the forward window provides a forward field of view out of the aircraft for a pilot seated in the pilot seat. In another aspect of this embodiment, the flight deck further includes a display device configured to provide information related to one or more autoflight modes. The display device can be positioned at least approximately between the forward instrument panel and the forward window to provide the pilot with autoflight information at least proximate to the forward field of view. In a further aspect of this embodiment, the display device can be configured to provide information related to one or more target flight parameters.
129 Citations
113 Claims
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1-73. -73. (canceled)
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74. An apparatus for use with an aircraft having an autoflight system capable of controlling the attitude of the aircraft in pitch, roll and yaw axes, the apparatus comprising:
an autoflight performance selector configured to limit the response of the autoflight system to flight guidance instructions in at least two of the pitch, roll and yaw axes, the autoflight performance selector having at least a first selection and a second selection different than the first selection, wherein selecting the first selection causes the response of the autoflight system to flight guidance instructions to not exceed a first level in the at least two axes, and wherein selecting the second selection causes the response of the autoflight system to the flight guidance instructions to not exceed a second level in the at least two axes different than the first level. - View Dependent Claims (75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 102, 103)
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82-101. -101. (canceled)
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104. An apparatus for use with an aircraft having an autothrottle and an autopilot capable of controlling the attitude of the aircraft in pitch, roll and yaw axes, the apparatus comprising:
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a flight management computer operably connected to the autothrottle and the autopilot; a data entry device configured to transmit flight guidance instructions from a pilot to the flight management computer, wherein the flight management computer controls the autothrottle and the autopilot in response to the flight guidance instructions; and an autoflight performance selector configured to limit the dynamic response of the autothrottle and the autopilot to the flight guidance instructions in at least two of the pitch, roll and yaw axes, the autoflight performance selector having at least a first selection and a second selection different than the first selection, wherein selecting the first selection causes the flight management computer to control the autothrottle and the autopilot to not exceed a first level of dynamic response in the at least two axes, and wherein selecting the second selection causes the flight management computer to control the autothrottle and the autopilot to not exceed a second level of dynamic response, different than the first level, in the at least two axes. - View Dependent Claims (105, 106, 107, 108)
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109. An autoflight system for use with an aircraft, the autoflight system comprising:
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an autothrottle and an autopilot capable of controlling the attitude of the aircraft in pitch, roll and yaw axes; a flight management computer operably connected to the autothrottle and the autopilot; a data entry device configured to receive flight guidance instructions from a pilot and transmit the flight guidance instructions to the flight management computer, wherein the flight management computer controls the autothrottle and the autopilot in response to the flight guidance instructions; a display device operatively connected to the flight management computer and configured to exchange information with the flight management computer, wherein the display device includes; a first display screen configured to provide autoflight mode information related to airspeed; a second display screen positioned at least approximately adjacent to the first display screen, the second display screen configured to provide autoflight mode information related to vertical guidance; and a third display screen positioned at least approximately adjacent to at least one of the first and second display screens, the third display screen configured to provide autoflight mode information related to lateral guidance; and an autoflight performance selector configured to limit the dynamic response of the autothrottle and the autopilot to the flight guidance instructions in at least two of the pitch, roll and yaw axes, the autoflight performance selector having at least a first position and a second position, wherein selecting the first position limits the autothrottle and the autopilot to a first rate of rotation about the at least two axes, and wherein selecting the second position limits the autothrottle and the autopilot to a second rate of rotation, greater than the first rate of rotation, about the at least two axes. - View Dependent Claims (110, 111, 112, 113)
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Specification