METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR INDICATING WHETHER AN AIRCRAFT IS WITHIN DISTANCE AND ALTITUDE CRITERIA FOR AN IFR PROCEDURE TURN

• US 20140074324A1
• Filed: 09/12/2012
• Published: 03/13/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Burgin, Roger W., Pepitone, Dave, Wilson, Blake
• Granted Patent: US 9,354,078 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/9
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/00 Aircraft indicators or protectors not otherwise provided for camouflage F41H3/00
• 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 5/0021 located in the aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/02 Automatic approach or landing aids, i.e. systems in which flight data of incoming planes are processed to provide landing data landing aids fitted in or to aircraft B64D45/04; visual or acoustic landing aids B64F1/18

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for displaying visually distinguishing characteristics if an aircraft is below a minimum altitude or beyond a maximum distance when executing a procedure turn. A procedure turn icon, an aircraft icon indicating the aircraft'"'"'s present location, terrain/obstacles, and the visually distinguishing characteristics are displayed on a moving map.

Claims

1. A method for indicating on a display device associated with an aircraft whether the aircraft is satisfying defined criteria for a maneuver, the method comprising:

displaying a graphical representation on the display device of a procedure turn symbol associated with a procedure turn from a navigation point, the procedure turn corresponding having a maximum distance criterion from the navigation point, and a minimum altitude criterion; and

providing an alert by displaying a first visually distinguishing characteristic if a current altitude of the aircraft is below the minimum altitude criterion, and a second visually distinguishing characteristic if a current distance from the navigation point is beyond the maximum distance criterion.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying a third visually distinguishing characteristic if the aircraft will be going below the minimum altitude criterion, and a fourth visually distinguishing characteristic if the aircraft will be going beyond the maximum distance criterion.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the providing step comprises modifying the format of a geographic area associated with the procedure turn.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the providing step comprises modifying the format of a perimeter of a geographic area associated with the procedure turn.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying a moving terrain map associated with an instantaneous location of the aircraft on the display device, wherein the procedure turn symbol is displayed overlying the moving terrain map.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the navigational point is proximate a landing location and associated with an approach path for the landing location, wherein the method further comprises displaying a graphical representation of the approach path on the display device.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing an audible warning if the current altitude of the aircraft is less than the minimum altitude criterion, or the current distance of the aircraft is beyond the maximum distance.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the procedure turn defines a geographical area having lateral boundary criterion in addition to the maximum distance criterion, further comprising:

displaying the geographical area; and

provide an alert displaying a third visual distinguishing characteristic if the lateral boundary criterion is exceeded by the aircraft.

9. A method for indicating on a display device associated with an aircraft whether the aircraft is satisfying defined criteria for a maneuver, the method comprising:

identifying a procedure turn;

displaying symbols on the display device for the current location of the aircraft and the procedure turn;

providing a first alert if the current altitude of the aircraft will be going below the minimum altitude based on current flight parameters, or is below the minimum altitude;

providing a second alert if the current distance from the navigation point will be going beyond the maximum distance based on current flight parameters, or is beyond the maximum distance; and

repeating from the displaying symbols step.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the providing a first alert comprises modifying the format of a geographic area associated with the procedure turn.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the providing a second alert comprises modifying the format of a perimeter of the geographic area.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising displaying a moving terrain map associated with an instantaneous location of the aircraft on the display device, wherein the symbols displayed overlie the terrain map.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the navigational reference point is proximate a landing location and associated with an approach path for the landing location, wherein the method further comprises displaying a graphical representation of the approach path on the display device.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising providing an audible warning if the current altitude of the aircraft is less than the minimum altitude criterion, or the current distance of the aircraft is beyond the maximum distance.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the first and second alerts are selected from the group consisting of color, hue, tint, brightness, texture, pattern, contrast, transparency, opacity, and animation.

16. A system for notifying the aircrew of an aircraft when exceeding a minimum altitude and a maximum distance during execution of a procedure turn, comprising:

a flight management system configured to;

store data including the minimum altitude and the maximum distance for the procedure turn;

determine the current location and altitude of the aircraft; and

determine if the aircraft is below the minimum altitude value or beyond the maximum distance;

a display device configured to;

display a moving map including terrain;

display an icon of the aircraft in its current location on the moving map;

display an icon of the procedure turn on the moving map;

display a first visually distinguishing characteristic if the aircraft goes below the minimum altitude value; and

display a second visually distinguishing characteristic if the aircraft goes beyond the maximum altitude value.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein:

the flight management system is further configured to;

determine if the aircraft will be going below the minimum altitude or the maximum distance in consideration of current flight data; and

the display device if further configured to;

display a third visually distinguishing characteristic if the aircraft will be going below the minimum altitude, and a fourth visually distinguishing characteristic if the aircraft will be going beyond the maximum distance.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein the display device is further configured to:

modify the format of a geographic area associated with the procedure turn as the first visually distinguishing characteristic.

19. The system of claim 16 wherein the display device is further configured to:

modify the format of a perimeter of a geographic area associated with the procedure turn as the second visually distinguishing characteristic.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein the display device is further configured to:

provide an audible alert if the current altitude of the aircraft is less than the minimum altitude, or the current distance of the aircraft is beyond the maximum distance.