System and method for optimized flight planning

• US 8,214,144 B2
• Filed: 12/08/2011
• Issued: 07/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Flightaware LLC (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Flightaware LLC (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Baker, Daniel, Lehenbauer, Karl, McNett, David Cameron, Duell, Mark L. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Beaulieu, Yonel
• Application Number:
  US13/314,579
• Publication Number:
  US 20120109724A1
• Time in Patent Office: 208 Days
• Field of Search: 701/400, 701/410, 705/14.1, 705/6, 705/7.12
• US Class Current: 701/410
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/025 Coordination of plural reservations, e.g. plural trip segments, transportation combined with accommodation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/04 Forecasting or optimisation specially adapted for administrative or management purposes, e.g. linear programming or "cutting stock problem" market predictions or forecasting for commercial activities G06Q30/0202
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0034 Assembly of a flight plan

Abstract

A computer-implemented system and method for the processing and optimization of flight plans is disclosed. Information regarding a plurality of previous flight plans is received over a digital network and is stored in at least a database. The database preferably includes aviation fuel price information, aircraft performance information, and aviation weather information as well. Upon receiving a request, a server generates at least an optimized portion of a flight plan. In one form, historical flight plan data of others is automatically used to aid in the determination of the optimized route offered to the user for review, with the resulting final flight plan being electronically filed with the FAA upon approval. In a further form, the user may arrange fuel transactions at intermediate destinations with the service provider receiving a fee in exchange for facilitating the transaction.

Claims

1. A method of scheduling aviation fuel transactions during web-based flight planning, said method comprising the steps of:

maintaining an electronic database containing a plurality of fixed base operators, wherein each fixed based operator has an associated airport and a related price-per-unit for at least one type of aviation fuel;

receiving over a network flight information from a remote user;

wherein said flight information includes an origin and destination location and aircraft information;

determining a plurality of refueling airports for at least a first leg of a flight between said origin and destination location and a fuel type required from said flight information using said first server;

transmitting fuel information regarding a plurality of fixed base operators over said network to the remote user using said server;

wherein each fixed base operator within said plurality is associated in said database with an airport within said plurality of refueling airports and said fuel information includes a current price-per-unit for said fuel type associated in said database with each fixed base operator within said plurality;

receiving over said network a selection for a fixed base operator from the remote user, wherein said selected fixed base operator is selected from said plurality of fixed base operators;

transmitting an electronic fuel purchase reservation to said selected fixed base operator over said network in response to said receiving; and

collecting a fee for a transaction associated with said fuel purchase reservation from said selected fixed base operator.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

generating a sample flight plan based on said origin and destination location and said selection for a fixed base operator in response to a request received from the remote user.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said reservation indicates a quantity of fuel corresponding to the amount of fuel required by said sample flight plan.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said reservation indicates a quantity of fuel required by a leg of said sample flight plan.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of:

filing said sample flight plan electronically with the FAA in response to a request received from the remote user.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said fee is based on the total of said transaction.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said fee comprises a percentage of at least a portion of said transaction.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said fee includes a flat fee.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein said fee is a percentage of said transaction.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said fee is based on the total number of units sold in said transaction.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

sending a request for the current fuel price to at least one fixed base operator prior to said first transmitting step.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said request includes at least an aviation fuel type.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said origin and destination locations are airports.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said origin and destination locations are received as airport codes.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one fixed base operation within said electronic database has indicated a willingness to pay a fee for sales directed to it.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein each fixed base operation within said electronic database has indicated a willingness to pay a fee for sales directed to it.