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Method for calibrating aircraft altitude sensors

  • US 5,940,035 A
  • Filed: 03/27/1998
  • Issued: 08/17/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/27/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method for calibrating a pressure-sensing altitude sensor of an aircraft while the aircraft is in flight, comprising the steps of:

  • elevating a reference pressure sensor through a selected distance above a fixedly-located base station;

    measuring a reference atmospheric pressure using the reference pressure sensor while the reference sensor is being elevated through the selected distance above the base station;

    measuring a geometric height of the reference sensor relative to the base station while the reference sensor measures the reference atmospheric pressure;

    measuring the atmospheric pressure outside the aircraft using the altitude sensor of the aircraft while the aircraft flies above the base station;

    determining the geometric height of the aircraft relative to the base station while the altitude sensor of the aircraft measures the atmospheric pressure outside the aircraft; and

    comparing the pressure measurement of the altitude sensor of the aircraft with the reference pressure measurement of the reference pressure sensor at a geometric height that is substantially the same as the geometric height of the aircraft.

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