Module for integrated approach to an offshore facility
First Claim
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1. A method to facilitate approach of a VTOL aircraft to an offshore facility comprising:
- inputting a waypoint for a landing platform of an offshore facility into an aircraft module;
inputting an offset distance from the landing platform into the aircraft module;
inputting a final approach inbound course toward the landing platform into the aircraft module;
inputting a Minimum Descent Height (MDH)for a final descent toward the landing platform into the aircraft module;
determining an Initial Approach Fix (IAF) and a Final Approach Fix (FAF) in response to the waypoint, the offset distance, the final approach inbound course, and the Minimum Descent Height (MDH)with the aircraft module; and
directing the aircraft to the Initial Approach Fix (IAF) in response to the aircraft module.
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Abstract
A system and method to facilitate approach of a VTOL aircraft to an offshore facility includes inputting a waypoint for a landing platform of an offshore facility into an aircraft module, inputting an offset distance from the landing platform into the aircraft module, inputting a minimum descent height into an aircraft module, and inputting a final approach inbound course toward the landing platform into the aircraft module.
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Citations
44 Claims
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1. A method to facilitate approach of a VTOL aircraft to an offshore facility comprising:
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inputting a waypoint for a landing platform of an offshore facility into an aircraft module; inputting an offset distance from the landing platform into the aircraft module; inputting a final approach inbound course toward the landing platform into the aircraft module; inputting a Minimum Descent Height (MDH)for a final descent toward the landing platform into the aircraft module; determining an Initial Approach Fix (IAF) and a Final Approach Fix (FAF) in response to the waypoint, the offset distance, the final approach inbound course, and the Minimum Descent Height (MDH)with the aircraft module; and directing the aircraft to the Initial Approach Fix (IAF) in response to the aircraft module. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 21, 22, 23, 24, 43, 44)
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16. An aircraft system, comprising:
a module which directs an aircraft to an Initial Approach Fix (IAF) downwind of a Final Approach Fix (FAF), the Initial Approach Fix (IAF) and the Final Approach Fix (FAF) determined in response to a waypoint for a landing platform of an offshore facility, an offset distance from the landing platform input, a final approach inbound course toward the landing platform input and Minimum Descent Height (MDH) input. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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25. A method to facilitate approach of a VTOL aircraft to an offshore facility comprising:
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inputting a waypoint for a landing platform of an offshore facility into an aircraft module; inputting an offset distance from the landing platform into the aircraft module; inputting a final approach inbound course toward the landing platform into the aircraft module; inputting a Minimum Descent Height (MDH) for a final descent toward the landing platform into the aircraft module; determining an Initial Approach Fix (IAF) and a Final Approach Fix (FAF) in response to the waypoint, the offset distance, the final approach inbound course, and the Minimum Descent Height (MDH) with the aircraft module; and determining an arc which intercepts the Initial Approach Fix (IAF) for alignment of the aircraft toward the Final Approach Fix (FAF); and locating a Turn Point (TP) on the arc. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification