Apparatuses and methods for displaying and receiving tactical and strategic flight guidance information

• US 8,135,501 B2
• Filed: 08/05/2011
• Issued: 03/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Boorman, Daniel J., Griffin, John C. III, Gunn, Peter D., Mumaw, Randall J.
• Primary Examiner(s): ARTHUR JEANGLAUDE, GERTRUDE
• Application Number:
  US13/204,112
• Publication Number:
  US 20110295450A1
• Time in Patent Office: 221 Days
• Field of Search: 701/3, 701/4, 701/8, 701/13, 701/14, 340/945, 340/980, 244/75.1, 244/118.5
• US Class Current: 701/3
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 23/00 Combined instruments indicating more than one navigational value, e.g. for aircraft; Combined measuring devices for measuring two or more variables of movement, e.g. distance, speed or acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0021 located in the aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0052 for cruising combined instruments indicating more than one navigational value G01C23/00

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses for displaying and receiving tactical and strategic flight guidance information are disclosed. A method in accordance with one aspect of the invention includes displaying at least one first indicator to an operator of the aircraft, with a first indicator corresponding to a first instruction input by the operator for directing a first aircraft behavior and implemented upon receiving an activation instruction from the operator. At least one second indicator corresponding to a second instruction for directing a second aircraft behavior at least proximately the same as the first aircraft behavior is displayed, with the at least one second instruction to be automatically implemented at a future time. The at least one second indicator is at least approximately the same as the at least one first indicator. Indicators can be hierarchically organized to simplify presentation and reduce pilot training time.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for operating an aircraft, comprising:

receiving an input corresponding to a selected landing site;

storing as part of a flight plan for an aircraft, aircraft control information corresponding to at least one of a landing approach and a go-around for potential subsequent execution at the landing site;

automatically retrieving the aircraft control information when the aircraft is at least proximate to the landing site; and

providing guidance instructions to execute the aircraft control information.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein storing aircraft control information includes storing aircraft control information corresponding to both lateral and vertical motion of the aircraft during landing.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein providing guidance instructions includes at least one of providing a visual guide to an operator of the aircraft and providing control signals to at least one aircraft actuator.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the aircraft control information is automatic retrieved during linked operation, and wherein during linked operation, the aircraft control information is incorporated into a flight plan of the aircraft for automatic execution at a future time.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the aircraft control information comprises runway information to allow the aircraft to automatically land on a selected runway.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the aircraft control information comprises information for conducting at least one of pre-landing lead-in operations and post-landing follow-up operations.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the input is received prior to flight as part of a flight plan.

8. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions for operating an aircraft, by a method comprising:

receiving an input corresponding to a selected landing site;

storing as part of a flight plan for an aircraft, aircraft control information corresponding to at least one of a landing approach and a go-around for potential subsequent execution at the landing site;

automatically retrieving the aircraft control information when the aircraft is at least proximate to the landing site; and

providing guidance instructions to execute the aircraft control information.

9. The computer-readable medium of claim 8 wherein storing aircraft control information includes storing aircraft control information corresponding to both lateral and vertical motion of the aircraft during landing.

10. The computer-readable medium of claim 8 wherein providing guidance instructions includes at least one of providing a visual guide to an operator of the aircraft and providing control signals to at least one aircraft actuator.

11. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the aircraft control information is automatic retrieved during linked operation, and wherein during linked operation, the aircraft control information in incorporated into a flight plan of the aircraft for automatic execution at a future time.

12. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the aircraft control information comprises runway information to allow the aircraft to automatically land on a selected runway.

13. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the aircraft control information comprises information for conducting at least one of pre-landing lead-in operations and post-landing follow-up operations.

14. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the input is received prior to flight as part of a flight plan.

15. A system for operating an aircraft, comprising:

an input device configured to receive instructions from an operator of the aircraft;

a display device;

a memory; and

a processor coupled among the input device, the display device, the memory, wherein the processor is configured to;

receive an input corresponding to a selected landing site;

store as part of a flight plan for an aircraft, aircraft control information corresponding to at least one of a landing approach and a go-around for potential subsequent execution at the landing site;

automatically retrieve the aircraft control information when the aircraft is at least proximate to the landing site; and

provide guidance instructions to execute the aircraft control information.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein storing aircraft control information includes storing aircraft control information in the memory corresponding to both lateral and vertical motion of the aircraft during landing.

17. The system of claim 15 wherein providing guidance instructions includes at least one of providing a visual guide to an operator of the aircraft on the display device and providing control signals to at least one aircraft actuator.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the aircraft control information is automatic retrieved during linked operation, and wherein during linked operation, the aircraft control information in incorporated into a flight plan of the aircraft for automatic execution at a future time.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the input comprises runway information to allow the aircraft to automatically land on a selected runway.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the input comprises information for conducting at least one of pre-landing lead-in operations and post-landing follow-up operations.

21. The system of claim 15, wherein the input is received prior to flight as part of a flight plan.