Systems and methods of improving or increasing information concerning, particularly, runway conditions available to pilots of landing aircraft

• US 8,224,507 B2
• Filed: 12/17/2007
• Issued: 07/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Engineered Arresting Systems Corporation (The Zodiac Group)
• Original Assignee: Engineered Arresting Systems Corporation (The Zodiac Group)
• Inventors: Edwards, Daniel J., Mahal, Peter T., Slimko, Mark A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tarcza, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): MURSHED, NAGI M
• Application Number:
  US11/957,707
• Publication Number:
  US 20090125169A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,674 Days
• Field of Search: 701/1, 701/3, 701 8- 10, 701 14- 16, 701/19, 701/36, 701/70, 701/71, 340/945, 340/961, 340968-969, 340/971, 244/110, 244/111, 731/21, 731/29, 731/32, 731/78.T, 303/121, 303/125, 303/126
• US Class Current: 701/16
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0013 with a ground station
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0078 for monitoring traffic from the aircraft radar or analogous systems specially adapted for traffic control G01S13/91
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0091 for monitoring atmospheric conditions radar or analogous systems specially adapted for meteorological use G01S13/95; meteorology G01W
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/025 Navigation or guidance aids radar or analogous systems specially adapted for landing purposes G01S13/913

Abstract

Addressed are systems and methods for providing to pilots of landing aircraft real-time (or near real-time) information concerning runway conditions and aircraft-stopping performance to be encountered upon landing. The systems and methods contemplate using more objective data than utilized at present and providing the information in automated manner. Information may be obtained by using conventional ground-based runway friction testers or, advantageously, by using air-based equipment such as (but not limited to) unmanned aerospace vehicles (UAVs).

Claims

1. A method of providing information to an operator of an aircraft A approaching a runway for landing or take-off, such information being generated in connection with travel of another aircraft B of a particular type along at least a portion of the runway, the method comprising:

(a) electronically gathering information based on the travel of aircraft B along at least the portion of the runway, the information comprising (i) brake pressure commanded by an operator of aircraft B, (ii) brake pressure delivered to the brakes after anti-skid control. computer calculations are performed on-board aircraft B, and (iii) ground roll distance of aircraft B along the runway;

(b) recording on-board aircraft B at least some of the gathered information;

(c) processing at least some of the gathered information, such processing including comparing the ground roll distance of aircraft B along the runway with a nominal ground roll value for the type of aircraft B on a dry runway;

(d) transmitting (i) at least some of the gathered information relating to commanded and delivered brake pressures, (ii) the type of aircraft B, and (iii) and information relating to the comparison of ground roll distance of aircraft B along the runway with the nominal ground roll value for the type of aircraft B on a dry runway, in real time to aircraft A for evaluation by the operator for the purpose of deciding whether to land on or take-off from the runway; and

(e) effecting evaluation of the transmitted information by the operator of aircraft A together with the aircraft flight manual and performance manual of aircraft A.

2. A method according to claim 1 in which at least some of the processing of at least some of the gathered information is performed using ground-based computing equipment.

3. A method according to claim 1 in which the act of transmitting at least some of the gathered information to aircraft A for evaluation by the operator occurs while aircraft A is airborne.

4. A method according to claim 3 in which the act of transmitting at least some of the gathered information to aircraft A for evaluation by the operator occurs while aircraft A is approaching the runway for landing.

5. A method according to claim 4 in which the act of transmitting at least some of the gathered information to aircraft A for evaluation by the operator occurs within thirty minutes after aircraft B travels along at least the portion of the runway.

6. A method according to claim 1 in which the operator of aircraft B is a human pilot on-board aircraft B.

7. A method according to claim 1 in which aircraft B is unmanned.