System and method for optimized flight planning

• US 8,332,136 B2
• Filed: 05/22/2012
• Issued: 12/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Flightaware LLC (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: Flightaware LLC (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Baker, Daniel, Lehenbauer, Karl, McNett, David Cameron, Duell, Mark L. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Beaulieu, Yonel
• Application Number:
  US13/477,175
• Publication Number:
  US 20120253961A1
• Time in Patent Office: 203 Days
• Field of Search: 701/3, 701/16, 701/400, 705/6, 705/7.12, 705/14.1, 705/26.1
• US Class Current: 701/400
• 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 providing aviation fuel at a discounted price-per-unit to a customer, 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 current price-per-unit for at least one type of aviation fuel;

analyzing at least a flight plan portion received from a remote user over a network to determine at least one refueling location using a first server;

determining a fuel type required for said flight plan using said first server;

providing a discounted price-per-unit for at least a first fixed base operator associated with an airport matching said refueling location based on said current price-per-unit for said fuel type associated with said first fixed base operator in said database using said first server;

transmitting said discounted price-per-unit for a set of fixed base operators to the remote user over said network, wherein said set includes said first fixed base operation;

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 set 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 the transaction associated with said fuel purchase reservation from said selected fixed base operator.

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

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said fee comprises a percentage of at least a portion of said transaction.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein said fee includes a flat fee.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein said fee is a percentage of said transaction.

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

7. 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.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said request includes at least an aviation fuel type.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said flight plan portion is an airport location.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said airport location is an airport code.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said flight plan portion is an airport origin and an intermediate location.

12. 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.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said fee is calculated based at least upon a discount plan stored in association with each FBO.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein each fixed base operation within said electronic database has indicated a willingness to pay a fee for sales directed to it.