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Method and device for vertically guiding an aircraft during an approach of a runway along a lateral approach trajectory

  • US 9,561,868 B2
  • Filed: 12/30/2014
  • Issued: 02/07/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/03/2014
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method of vertical guidance of an aircraft during an approach to a landing runway along a lateral approach trajectory, the method comprising successive steps of automatically and repeatedly:

  • a) determining a current distance corresponding to a distance in a lateral plane along the lateral approach trajectory, between a current position of the aircraft and a threshold of the landing runway;

    b) extracting from a linear terrain profile stored in a database and defined along the lateral approach trajectory, a terrain height for the current distance, the terrain height being defined with respect to a level of the threshold of the landing runway;

    c) determining a current height of the aircraft with respect to the terrain height, using at least one measurement taken by at least one on-board radar altimeter at the current position;

    d) computing a first current altitude of the aircraft, with respect to the level of the threshold of the landing runway, using the current height of the aircraft and the terrain height;

    e) computing an approach profile corresponding to a half-line having a predetermined angle with respect to a horizontal and comprising an endpoint that is situated on the landing runway at a predetermined distance defined by a difference in distance between the endpoint and the threshold of the landing runway, wherein the half-line comprises a slope corresponding to a change in height above the runway divided by a change in distance along the horizontal at a declination rate determined by the predetermined angle;

    f) computing a second current altitude of the aircraft, with respect to the level of the threshold of the landing runway, corresponding to an altitude on the approach profile for the current distance;

    g) computing a difference between the first current altitude and the second current altitude; and

    h) using the difference to vertically guide the aircraft.

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