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Required time of arrival (RTA) control system

  • US 5,121,325 A
  • Filed: 07/03/1991
  • Issued: 06/09/1992
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/04/1990
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. In an aircraft having flight management processing means responsive to input data signals representative of a flight plan, aircraft limits and predicted atmospheric conditions, and further responsive to a cost index parameter indicative of a cost relationship between flight time and fuel consumption for the aircraft, wherein said flight management processing means is adapted to generate predicted flight profile data, including target aircraft speeds and estimated times of arrival, the improvement comprising a required time of arrival (RTA) control system for rapidly determining adjustments in airspeed required to meet a desired crossing time at a selected waypoint, the required time of arrival control system comprising:

  • input means for receiving data signals representative of a required time of arrival corresponding to said desired crossing time at said selected waypoint;

    cost index processing means responsive to said data signals representative of said required time of arrival for determining an estimated cost index parameter comprising an estimate of said cost index parameter, which will provide a flight time substantially corresponding to said required time of arrival, said cost index processing means comprising means for computing said estimated cost index parameter on the basis that the distance travelled between a current position and said selected waypoint is substantially independent of said cost index parameter; and

    means responsive to said data signals representative of said estimated cost index parameter for generating data signals representative of a target airspeed required to meet said flight time substantially corresponding to said required time of arrival.

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