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Automated safe flight vehicle

  • US 8,527,118 B2
  • Filed: 10/17/2007
  • Issued: 09/03/2013
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2007
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A computer-based method to automatically manage flight operations of a manned aircraft, comprising:

  • receiving, in a computer-based flight control system, a destination for a flight;

    determining, in the computer-based flight control system, a predetermined flight path and one or more flight parameters to the destination;

    navigating an aircraft along the predetermined flight path using autopilot controls;

    receiving, in the computer-based flight control system, operator input from an operator interface to direct the aircraft along a flight path segment which deviates from the predetermined flight path by overriding the autopilot controls;

    generating, in the computer-based flight control system, one or more control signals to direct the aircraft from the predetermined flight path to the flight path segment which deviates from the predetermined flight path;

    generating, in the computer-based flight control system, one or more feedback signals to provide force feedback against control instructions from the operator interface when the control instructions attempt to navigate the aircraft along a flight path segment which deviates from the predetermined flight path, wherein the force feedback indicates that further deviation from the predetermined flight path will not be permitted; and

    directing the aircraft to resume travel along the predetermined flight path despite the receiving the operator input from the operator interface when a distance of the aircraft from the predetermined flight path exceeds a permitted deviation distance.

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