Machines, program products, and computer-implemented methods for interactive aircraft performance substantiation

• US 8,359,542 B2
• Filed: 08/13/2010
• Issued: 01/22/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Dingeman, David M., Parsons, Dave G.
• Primary Examiner(s): PHANTANA ANGKOOL, DAVID
• Application Number:
  US12/856,318
• Publication Number:
  US 20120042273A1
• Time in Patent Office: 893 Days
• Field of Search: 715/771, 715/764, 715/781, 701/3, 701/14
• US Class Current: 715/771
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/15 Vehicle, aircraft or watercraft design

Abstract

An interactive aircraft performance substantiation is provided by determining maneuvers for a user-selected aircraft, determining operation and performance variables for a user-selected maneuver, displaying a scale graphic representation of the user-selected aircraft according to aircraft dimensions, displaying load selection fields according to aircraft dimensions and load-sites dimensions, interactively updating the scale graphic representation of the user-selected aircraft to include an oriented graphic representation of a user-selected load according to the aircraft dimensions, load dimensions, and load-site dimensions, interactively determining mass properties of the user-selected aircraft according to the aircraft dimensions, the load dimensions, and the load-site dimensions; receiving operation properties for the user-selected maneuver corresponding to the operation variables; and displaying an aircraft performance substantiation responsive to determining performance properties of the user-selected aircraft according to the mass properties thereof and the operation properties thereof, the performance properties corresponding to the performance variables.

Claims

1. A machine to enhance aircraft performance substantiation for an aircraft selected from a plurality of preselected aircraft to more efficiently perform a mission by the aircraft, the machine comprising:

a processor;

a non-transitory memory positioned in communication with the processor to store computer program products therein;

a database to store data related to a plurality of preselected aircraft, a plurality of preselected aircraft maneuvers for each of the plurality of preselected aircraft, a plurality of aircraft dimensions of each of the plurality of preselected aircraft, a plurality of preselected loads of different types, and a plurality of aircraft load-sites being in or on each of the plurality of preselected aircraft and corresponding to one or more of the plurality of preselected loads;

an input/output unit in communication with the database and the processor to interactively communicate with a user through a user interface when positioned in communication therewith to receive user selections for and to display a scale graphical representation of one or more of the plurality of preselected aircraft when being used by a user;

first computer program product stored in the non-transitory memory and operable on the processor to generate a load configuration for one of the plurality of preselected aircraft by interactively modeling one or more of the plurality of preselected loads with respect to one of the plurality of preselected aircraft to thereby define an aircraft load configuration module, the aircraft load configuration module having a set of instructions comprising;

generating a display at the user interface of an aircraft selection field responsive to determining a plurality of preselected aircraft from the database,

generating a display at the user interface of a scale graphic representation of a user-selected aircraft responsive to a selection of the user-selected aircraft by a user received from the user interface through the input/output unit responsive to the user selecting an aircraft at the aircraft selection field, the scale graphic representation of the user-selected aircraft being scaled responsive to the plurality of aircraft dimensions of the user-selected aircraft,

generating a display at the user interface of a plurality of load selection fields, each of the plurality of load selection fields being for a respective aircraft load-site of the plurality of aircraft load-sites in or on the user-selected aircraft, each of the plurality of load selection fields being positioned responsive to the plurality of aircraft dimensions of the user-selected aircraft and a plurality of aircraft load-site dimensions of the respective aircraft load-site, each of the plurality of load selection fields being positioned to receive a selection one or more of the plurality of preselected loads of different types corresponding to the respective aircraft load-site at the database,

interactively updating the scale graphic representation of the user-selected aircraft to include an oriented graphic representation of a user-selected load at a target aircraft load-site, the user-selected load being received from the user interface through the input/output unit responsive to a selection of the user-selected load by a user at a load selection field for the target aircraft load-site, the oriented graphic representation of the load being oriented responsive to the plurality of aircraft dimensions of the user-selected aircraft, a plurality of load dimensions of the user-selected load, and a plurality of aircraft load-site dimensions of the target aircraft load-site, and

interactively determining a plurality of mass properties of the user-selected aircraft responsive to the plurality of aircraft dimensions of the user-selected aircraft, the plurality of load dimensions of the user-selected load, and the plurality of aircraft load-site dimensions of the target aircraft load-site;

second computer program product stored in the non-transitory memory and operable on the processor to generate a mission configuration for one or more of the plurality of preselected aircraft to define an aircraft mission configuration module, the aircraft mission configuration module having a set of instructions comprising;

generating a display at the user interface of a maneuver selection field responsive to determining a plurality of preselected maneuvers responsive to the user-selected aircraft,

determining a plurality of operation variables and a plurality of performance variables responsive to a selection of a maneuver of the plurality of maneuvers from the database, the selection of the maneuver being by a user and received from the user interface through the input/output unit, the maneuver defining a user-selected maneuver, and

generating a display at the user interface of a plurality of operation property selection fields, each of the plurality of operation property selection fields being responsive to one of the plurality of operation variables and being positioned to receive a user selection of an operation property corresponding to the one of the plurality of operation variables; and

third computer program product stored in the non-transitory memory and operable on the processor to generate an aircraft performance substantiation responsive to the mission configuration and the load configuration to thereby define an aircraft performance substantiation module, the aircraft performance substantiation module having a set of instructions comprising;

generating a display at the user interface of a plurality of dependent-variable selection fields, each of the plurality of dependent-variable selection fields corresponding to one of the plurality of performance variables to receive a user selection of a dependent variable,

generating a display at the user interface of a plurality of independent-variable selection fields, each of the plurality of independent-variable selection fields corresponding to one of the plurality of operation variables and a plurality of mass variables to receive a user selection of an independent variable,

determining a plurality of independent properties responsive to a predefined range, a predefined increment, and one of a plurality of user-selected operation properties and the plurality of mass properties, each of the plurality of independent properties corresponding to a user-selected independent variable received from the user interface through the input/output unit responsive to a user selection of an independent variable at one of the plurality of independent-variable selection fields, each of the plurality of user-selected operation properties being received from the user interface through the input/output unit responsive to a user selection of an operation property at one of the plurality of operation property selection fields,

determining a plurality of dependent properties of the user-selected aircraft for each of the plurality of independent properties, the determining operation being responsive to the respective independent property of the plurality of independent properties and at least one other of the plurality of user-selected operation properties and the plurality of mass-properties, each of the plurality of dependent properties corresponding to a user-selected dependent variable received from the user interface through the input/output unit responsive to a user selection of a dependent variable at one of the plurality of dependent-variable selection fields, and

generating a display of an aircraft performance substantiation at the user interface so that the user can thereby visualize a relationship between the user-selected dependant variable and the user-selected independent variable throughout the preselected range, the generating instruction being responsive to determining the plurality of dependent properties of the user-selected aircraft, the display including a plot of each of the plurality of dependent properties for each respective independent property of the plurality of independent properties, the plot having the user-selected dependent variable as its Y-axis and the user-selected independent variable as its X-axis.

2. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein:

the predefined range is a first predefined range and the predefined increment is a first predefined increment;

the set of instructions of the aircraft performance substantiation module further comprises;

generating a display at the user interface of a secondary independent-variable selection field being responsive to the plurality of operation variables and the plurality of mass properties to receive a user selection of a secondary independent variable, and

determining a plurality of secondary independent properties responsive to a second predefined range, a second predefined increment, and one of the plurality of user-selected operation properties and the plurality of mass properties, each of the plurality of secondary independent properties corresponding to a user-selected secondary independent variable received from the user interface through the input/output unit responsive to a user selection of the secondary independent variable at the secondary independent-variable selection field;

the determining instruction is for each of the plurality of independent properties and each of the plurality of secondary independent properties and further responsive to the respective secondary independent property of the plurality of secondary independent properties;

the display further includes a plot of each of the plurality of dependent properties for each respective independent property of the plurality of independent properties and each respective secondary independent property of the plurality of secondary independent properties; and

the display further includes a plurality of separate plot lines, each separate plot line being for a respective one of the plurality of respective secondary independent properties.

3. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein:

the set of instructions of the aircraft load configuration module further comprises;

interactively determining a plurality of aerodynamic properties of the user-selected aircraft responsive to the plurality of aircraft dimensions of the user-selected aircraft, the plurality of load dimensions of the user-selected load, and the plurality of aircraft load-site dimensions of the target aircraft load-site;

each of the plurality of independent-variable selection fields corresponds to the one of the plurality of operation variables, one of the plurality of mass variables, and one of a plurality of aerodynamic variables;

determining the plurality of independent properties is responsive to a predefined range, a predefined increment, and one of a plurality of user-selected operation properties, the plurality of mass properties, and the plurality of aerodynamic properties; and

determining the plurality of dependent properties is responsive to the respective independent property of the plurality of independent properties and at least one other of the plurality of user-selected operation properties, the plurality of mass-properties, and the plurality of aerodynamic properties.

4. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein:

the set of instructions of the aircraft performance substantiation module further comprises;

determining a plurality of affected mass properties, each of the plurality of affected mass properties being determined responsive to a corresponding independent property of the plurality of independent properties, a plurality of aircraft dimensions of the user-selected aircraft, the plurality of load dimensions of the user-selected load, and a plurality of aircraft load-site dimensions of the target aircraft load-site; and

determining the plurality of dependent properties of the user-selected aircraft for each of the plurality of independent properties is responsive to the respective independent property of the plurality of independent properties, a corresponding affected mass property of the plurality of affected mass properties, and at least one other of the plurality of user-selected operation properties and the plurality of mass properties.

5. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein the user-selected load is a first user-selected load at a first target aircraft load-site and the oriented graphic representation of the first user-selected load at the first target aircraft load-site is oriented with respect to the user-selected aircraft and a second user-selected load at a second target aircraft load site.

6. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein a selection of a load at one of the plurality of load selection fields is received from the user interface responsive to receiving a user selection at a symmetrical loads field displayed at the user interface.

7. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein determining the plurality of dependent properties of the user-selected aircraft for each of the plurality of independent properties is responsive to an interpolation including values of an aircraft performance table.

8. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein:

the set of instructions of the aircraft performance substantiation module further comprises;

determining an alert level for one of the plurality of independent properties and the plurality of dependent properties responsive to one of a plurality of aircraft bounds for the user-selected aircraft, and

generating a display at the user interface of an alert responsive to the alert level.

9. A machine to enhance aircraft performance substantiation for an aircraft selected from a plurality of preselected aircraft to more efficiently perform a mission by the aircraft, the machine comprising:

a processor;

a non-transitory memory positioned in communication with the processor to store computer program products therein;

a database to store data related to a plurality of preselected aircraft, a plurality of preselected aircraft maneuvers for each of the plurality of preselected aircraft, a plurality of aircraft dimensions for each of the plurality of preselected aircraft, a plurality of preselected loads of different types, and a plurality of aircraft load-sites being in or on each of the plurality of preselected aircraft and corresponding to one or more of the plurality of preselected loads;

an input/output unit in communication with the database and the processor to interactively communicate with a user through a user interface when positioned in communication therewith to receive user selections for and to display a scale graphical representation of one or more of the plurality of preselected aircraft when being used by a user;

first computer program product stored in the non-transitory memory and operable on the processor to generate a load configuration for one or more of the plurality of preselected aircraft by interactively modeling one or more of the plurality of preselected loads with respect to one of the plurality of preselected aircraft to thereby define an aircraft load configuration module, the aircraft load configuration module having a set of instructions comprising;

generating a display at the user interface of a scale graphic representation of a user-selected aircraft responsive to a selection of the user-selected aircraft by a user received from the user interface through the input/output unit, the scale graphic representation of the user-selected aircraft being scaled responsive to the plurality of aircraft dimensions of the user-selected aircraft,

generating a display at the user interface of a plurality of load selection fields, each of the plurality of load selection fields being for a respective aircraft load-site of the plurality of aircraft load-sites in or on the user-selected aircraft, each of the plurality of load selection fields being positioned responsive to the plurality of aircraft dimensions of the user-selected aircraft and a plurality of aircraft load-site dimensions of the respective aircraft load-site, each of the plurality of load selection fields being positioned to receive a selection one or more of the plurality of preselected loads of different types corresponding to the respective aircraft load-site at the database,

interactively updating the scale graphic representation of the user-selected aircraft to include an oriented graphic representation of a user-selected load at a target aircraft load-site, the user-selected load being received from the user interface through the input/output unit responsive to a selection of the user-selected load by a user at a load selection field for the target aircraft load-site, the oriented graphic representation of the load being oriented responsive to the plurality of aircraft dimensions of the user-selected aircraft, a plurality of load dimensions of the user-selected load, and a plurality of aircraft load-site dimensions of the target aircraft load-site, and

interactively determining a plurality of mass properties of the user-selected aircraft responsive to the plurality of aircraft dimensions of the user-selected aircraft, the plurality of load dimensions of the user-selected load, and the plurality of aircraft load-site dimensions of the target aircraft load-site;

second computer program product stored in the non-transitory memory and operable on the processor to generate a mission configuration for one or more of the plurality of preselected aircraft to define an aircraft mission configuration module, the aircraft mission configuration module having a set of instructions comprising;

generating a display at the user interface of a maneuver selection field responsive to determining a plurality of preselected maneuvers responsive to the user-selected aircraft,

determining a plurality of operation variables and a plurality of performance variables responsive to a selection of a maneuver of the plurality of maneuvers from the database, the selection of the maneuver being by a user and received from the user interface through the input/output unit, the maneuver defining a user-selected maneuver, and

generating a display at the user interface of a plurality of operation property selection fields, each of the plurality of operation property selection fields being responsive to one of the plurality of operation variables and being positioned to receive a user selection of an operation property corresponding to the one of the plurality of operation variables; and

third computer program product stored in the non-transitory memory and operable on the processor to generate an aircraft performance substantiation responsive to the mission configuration and the load configuration to thereby define an aircraft performance substantiation module, the aircraft performance substantiation module having a set of instructions comprising;

determining a plurality of performance properties of the user-selected aircraft for each of the plurality of performance variables, the determining step being responsive to a plurality of user-selected operation properties and the plurality of mass-properties, each of the plurality of user-selected operation properties being received from the user interface through the input/output unit responsive to a user selection of an operation property at one of the plurality of operation property selection fields, and

generating a display of an aircraft performance substantiation at the user interface responsive to determining the plurality of performance properties of the user-selected aircraft.

10. A machine as defined in claim 9, wherein:

the set of instructions of the aircraft load configuration module further comprises interactively determining a plurality of aerodynamic properties of the user-selected aircraft responsive to the plurality of aircraft dimensions of the user-selected aircraft, the plurality of load dimensions of the user-selected load, and the plurality of aircraft load-site dimensions of the target aircraft load-site; and

the determining of the plurality of performance properties of the user-selected aircraft for each of the plurality of performance variables is responsive to the plurality of user-selected operation properties, the plurality of mass-properties, and the plurality of aerodynamic properties.

11. A machine as defined in claim 9, wherein the user-selected load is a first user-selected load at a first target aircraft load-site and the oriented graphic representation of the first user-selected load at the first target aircraft load-site is oriented with respect to the user-selected aircraft and a second user-selected load at a second target aircraft load site.

12. A machine as defined in claim 9, wherein:

the set of instructions of the aircraft performance substantiation module further comprises;

determining an alert level for one of the plurality of mass properties, the plurality of performance properties, and the plurality of operation properties responsive to one of a plurality of aircraft bounds for the user-selected aircraft, and

generating a display of an alert responsive to the alert level at the user interface.

13. A machine as defined in claim 9, wherein determining the plurality of performance properties of the user-selected aircraft is responsive to an interpolation including values of an aircraft performance table.

14. A computer program product stored in a non-transitory memory, operable on a processor, and in communication with a user interface through an input/output unit, the computer program product to generate an aircraft performance substantiation responsive to a preselected aircraft, a preselected maneuver, and a preselected load configuration, the computer program product having a set of instructions comprising:

generating a display at the user interface of a plurality of dependent-variable selection fields, each of the plurality of dependent-variable selection fields corresponding to one of a plurality of performance variables for the preselected maneuver to receive a user selection of a dependent variable;

generating a display at the user interface of a plurality of independent-variable selection fields, each of the plurality of independent-variable selection fields corresponding to one of the plurality of operation variables for the preselected maneuver and one of a plurality of mass variables for the preselected load configuration to receive a user selection of an independent variable;

determining a plurality of independent properties responsive to a predefined range, a predefined increment and one of a plurality of user-selected operation properties of the preselected maneuver and a plurality of mass properties of the preselected load configuration, each of the plurality of independent properties corresponding to a user-selected independent variable received from the user interface through the input/output unit responsive to a user selection of an independent variable at one of the plurality of independent-variable selection fields;

determining a plurality of dependent properties of the user-selected aircraft for each of the plurality of independent properties, the determining step being responsive to the respective independent property of the plurality of independent properties and at least one other of the plurality of user-selected operation properties and the plurality of mass-properties, each of the plurality of dependent properties corresponding to a user-selected dependent variable received from the user interface through the input/output unit responsive to a user selection of a dependent variable at one of the plurality of dependent-variable selection fields; and

generating a display of an aircraft performance substantiation at the user interface so that the user can thereby visualize a relationship between the user-selected dependant variable and the user-selected independent variable throughout the preselected range, the generating instruction being responsive to determining the plurality of dependent properties of the user-selected aircraft, the display including a plot of each of the plurality of dependent properties for each respective independent property of the plurality of independent properties, the plot having the user-selected dependent variable as its Y-axis and the user-selected independent variable as its X-axis.

15. A computer program product as defined in claim 14, wherein the predefined range is a first predefined range and the predefined increment is a first predefined increment, wherein:

the set of instructions further comprises;

generating a display at the user interface of a secondary independent-variable selection field being responsive to the plurality of operation variables and the plurality of mass properties to receive a user selection of a secondary independent variable, and

determining a plurality of secondary independent properties responsive to a second predefined range, a second predefined increment and one of the plurality of user-selected operation properties and the plurality of mass properties, each of the plurality of secondary independent properties corresponding to a user-selected secondary independent variable received from the user interface through the input/output unit responsive to a user selection the secondary independent variable at the secondary independent-variable selection field;

the determining step is for each of the plurality of independent properties and each of the plurality of secondary independent properties and further responsive to the respective secondary independent property of the plurality of secondary independent properties;

the display further includes a plot of each of the plurality of dependent properties for each respective independent property of the plurality of independent properties and each respective secondary independent property of the plurality of secondary independent properties; and

the display further includes a plurality of separate plot lines, each separate plot line being for a respective one of the plurality of respective secondary independent properties.

16. A computer program as defined in claim 14, the set of instructions further comprising:

determining an alert level for one of the plurality of independent properties and the plurality of dependent properties responsive to one of a plurality of aircraft bounds for the user-selected aircraft; and

generating a display at the user interface of an alert responsive to the alert level.

17. A computer program as defined in claim 14, wherein:

the set of instructions further comprises;

determining a plurality of affected mass properties, each of the plurality of affected mass properties being determined responsive to a corresponding independent property of the plurality of independent properties, a plurality of aircraft dimensions of the preselected aircraft, a plurality of load dimensions of the preselected load configuration, and a plurality of aircraft load-site dimensions of the preselected load configuration; and

determining the plurality of dependent properties of the user-selected aircraft for each of the plurality of independent properties is responsive to the respective independent property of the plurality of independent properties, a corresponding affected mass property of the plurality of affected mass properties, and at least one other of the plurality of user-selected operation properties and the plurality of mass-properties.

18. A computer-implemented method to generate an aircraft performance substantiation at a user interface responsive to a preselected aircraft, a preselected maneuver, and a preselected load configuration, the computer-implemented method comprising the steps of:

generating a display at the user interface of a plurality of dependent-variable selection fields, each of the plurality of dependent-variable selection fields corresponding to one of a plurality of performance variables for the preselected maneuver to receive a user selection of a dependent variable;

generating a display at the user interface of a plurality of independent-variable selection fields, each of the plurality of independent-variable selection fields corresponding to one of the plurality of operation variables for the preselected maneuver and one of a plurality of mass variables for the preselected load configuration to receive a user selection of an independent variable;

determining a plurality of independent properties responsive to a predefined range, a predefined increment and one of a plurality of user-selected operation properties of the preselected maneuver and a plurality of mass properties of the preselected load configuration, each of the plurality of independent properties corresponding to a user-selected independent variable received from the user interface responsive to a user selection of an independent variable at one of the plurality of independent-variable selection fields;

determining a plurality of dependent properties of the user-selected aircraft for each of the plurality of independent properties, the determining step being responsive to the respective independent property of the plurality of independent properties and at least one other of the plurality of user-selected operation properties and the plurality of mass-properties, each of the plurality of dependent properties corresponding to a user-selected dependent variable received from the user interface responsive to a user selection of a dependent variable at one of the plurality of dependent-variable selection fields; and

generating a display of an aircraft performance substantiation at the user interface so that the user can thereby visualize a relationship between the user-selected dependant variable and the user-selected independent variable throughout the preselected range, the generating step being responsive to determining the plurality of dependent properties of the user-selected aircraft, the display including a plot of each of the plurality of dependent properties for each respective independent property of the plurality of independent properties, the plot having the user-selected dependent variable as its Y-axis and the user-selected independent variable as its X-axis.

19. A computer-implemented method as defined in claim 18, wherein:

the predefined range is a first predefined range and the predefined increment is a first predefined increment;

the computer-implemented method further comprises the steps of;

generating a display at the user interface of a secondary independent-variable selection field being responsive to the plurality of operation variables and the plurality of mass properties to receive a user selection of a secondary independent variable, and

determining a plurality of secondary independent properties responsive to a second predefined range, a second predefined increment and one of the plurality of user-selected operation properties and the plurality of mass properties, each of the plurality of secondary independent properties corresponding to a user-selected secondary independent variable received from the user interface responsive to a user selection the secondary independent variable at the secondary independent-variable selection field;

the determining step is for each of the plurality of independent properties and each of the plurality of secondary independent properties and further responsive to the respective secondary independent property of the plurality of secondary independent properties;

the display further includes a plot of each of the plurality of dependent properties for each respective independent property of the plurality of independent properties and each respective secondary independent property of the plurality of secondary independent properties; and

the display further includes a plurality of separate plot lines, each separate plot line being for a respective one of the plurality of respective secondary independent properties.

20. A computer-implemented method as defined in claim 18, the computer-implemented method further comprising the steps of:

determining an alert level for one of the plurality of independent properties and the plurality of dependent properties responsive to one of a plurality of aircraft bounds for the user-selected aircraft; and

generating a display at the user interface of an alert responsive to the alert level.

21. A computer-implemented method as defined in claim 18, wherein:

the computer-implemented method further comprises the step of;

determining a plurality of affected mass properties, each of the plurality of affected mass properties being determined responsive to a corresponding independent property of the plurality of independent properties, a plurality of aircraft dimensions of the preselected aircraft, a plurality of load dimensions of the preselected load configuration, and a plurality of aircraft load-site dimensions of the preselected load configuration; and

the step of determining of a plurality of dependent properties of the user-selected aircraft for each of the plurality of independent properties is responsive to the respective independent property of the plurality of independent properties, a corresponding affected mass property of the plurality of affected mass properties, and at least one other of the plurality of user-selected operation properties and the plurality of mass-properties.

22. A computer-implemented method to generate an aircraft performance substantiation at a user interface responsive to a preselected aircraft, a preselected maneuver for the preselected aircraft, and a preselected load configuration for the preselected aircraft, the computer-implemented method comprising the steps of:

generating a display at the user interface of a plurality of variable selection fields, each of the plurality of variable selection fields corresponding to one of a plurality of performance variables for a preselected maneuver of a preselected aircraft, a plurality of operation variables for the preselected maneuver of the preselected aircraft, and a plurality of mass variables for a preselected load configuration of the preselected aircraft to thereby receive a selection by a user of one of the plurality of performance variables, the plurality of operation variables, and the plurality of mass variables;

determining a plurality of performance properties of the preselected aircraft for each of a plurality of potential mission properties, the plurality of potential mission properties being responsive to a preselected range, a preselected increment, and one of a predetermined operation property and a predetermined mass property corresponding to a first selection by the user of one of the plurality of operation variables and the plurality of mass variables at a first one of the plurality of variable selection fields to define a user-selected mission variable, each of the plurality of performance properties corresponding to a second selection by the user of one of the plurality of performance variables at a second one of the plurality of variable selection fields to define a user-selected performance variable; and

generating a display of an aircraft performance substantiation at the user interface so that the user can thereby visualize a relationship between the user-selected performance variable and the user-selected mission variable throughout the preselected range, the generating step being responsive to the plurality of performance properties of the preselected aircraft and the plurality of potential mission properties, the display including a plot of each of the plurality of performance properties for each respective potential mission property of the plurality of potential mission properties, the plot having the user-selected performance variable as its Y-axis and the user-selected mission variable as its X-axis.

23. A computer-implemented method as defined in claim 22, wherein:

the predetermined operation property is a first predetermined operation property and the predetermined mass property is a first predetermined mass property; and

the determining step is responsive to at least one of a second predetermined operation property and a second predetermined mass property.

24. A computer-implemented method as defined in claim 22, wherein:

the predefined range is a first predefined range and the predefined increment is a first predefined increment;

the predetermined operation property is a first predetermined operation property and the predetermined mass property is a first predetermined mass property; and

the performance properties of the preselected aircraft are determined for each of a plurality of potential mission properties and for each of a plurality potential secondary properties, the plurality of potential secondary properties being responsive to a second preselected range, a second preselected increment, and one of a second predetermined operation property and a second predetermined mass property corresponding to a third selection by the user of one of the plurality of operation variables and the plurality of mass variables at a third one of the plurality of variable selection fields to define a user-selected secondary variable;

the display of an aircraft performance substantiation at the user interface is generated so that the user can thereby visualize a relationship among the user-selected perfoiniance variable, the user-selected mission variable, and the user-selected secondary variable throughout the first preselected range and the second preselected range, the generating step being further responsive to the plurality of potential secondary properties;

the display includes a plot of each of the plurality, of performance properties for each respective potential mission property of the plurality of potential mission properties and for each respective potential secondary property of the plurality of potential secondary properties; and

the display further includes a plurality of separate plot lines, each separate plot line being for a respective one of the plurality of potential secondary properties.

25. A computer-implemented method as defined in claim 22, the computer-implemented method further comprising the steps of:

determining a configuration alert level for one of the plurality of potential mission properties responsive to one of a plurality of aircraft configuration bounds for the preselected aircraft; and

generating a display of a configuration alert responsive to the configuration alert level at the user interface.

26. A computer-implemented method as defined in claim 22, the computer-implemented method further comprising the steps of:

determining a performance alert level for one of the plurality of performance properties responsive to one of a plurality of aircraft performance bounds for the preselected aircraft; and

generating a display of a performance alert responsive to the performance alert level a the user interface.

27. A computer-implemented method as defined in claim 22, wherein:

the computer-implemented method further comprises the step of;

determining a plurality of affected mass properties, each of the plurality of affected mass properties being determined responsive to a corresponding potential mission property of the plurality of potential mission properties, a plurality of aircraft dimensions of the preselected aircraft, a plurality of load dimensions of the preselected load configuration, and a plurality of aircraft load-site dimensions of the preselected load configuration; and

the plurality of performance properties of the preselected aircraft for each one of the plurality of potential mission properties is determined further responsive to an affected mass property of the plurality of affected mass properties corresponding the one of the plurality of potential mission properties.

28. An interactive user interface to display to a user an aircraft performance substantiation responsive to a preselected aircraft, a preselected maneuver for the preselected aircraft, and a preselected load configuration for the preselected aircraft, user interface comprising:

an interactive display of a plurality of variable selection fields, each of the plurality of variable selection fields being generated responsive to one of a plurality of performance variables for a preselected maneuver of a preselected aircraft, a plurality of operation variables for the preselected maneuver of the preselected aircraft, and a plurality of mass variables for a preselected load configuration of the preselected aircraft, the plurality of variable selection fields to thereby receive a user-selected performance variable being one of the plurality of performance variables and to thereby receive a user-selected mission variable being one of the plurality of operation variables and the plurality of mass variables; and

a resulting display of an aircraft performance substantiation so that the user can thereby visualize a relationship between the user-selected performance variable and the user-selected mission variable throughout a preselected range, the resulting display being generated responsive to a plurality of performance properties of the preselected aircraft and a plurality of potential mission properties, the resulting display including a plot of each of the plurality of performance properties for each respective potential mission property of the plurality of potential mission properties, the plot having the user-selected performance variable as its Y-axis and the user-selected mission variable as its X-axis.

29. An interactive user interface as defined in claim 28, wherein:

the plurality of performance properties of the preselected aircraft are determined for each of the plurality of potential mission properties;

the plurality of potential mission properties are determined responsive to the preselected range, a preselected increment, and one of a predetermined operation property and a predetermined mass property corresponding to the user-selected mission variable; and

each of the plurality of performance properties correspond to the user-selected performance variable.

30. An interactive user interface as defined in claim 28, wherein:

the predetermined operation property is a first predetermined operation property and the predetermined mass property is a first predetermined mass property; and

the plurality of mission properties of the preselected aircraft are determined responsive to at least one of a second predetermined operation property and a second predetermined mass property.

31. An interactive user interface as defined in claim 28, wherein:

the predefined range is a first predefined range and the predefined increment is a first predefined increment;

the predetermined operation property is a first predetermined operation property and the predetermined mass property is a first predetermined mass property;

the plurality of performance properties of the preselected aircraft are determined for each of a plurality of potential mission properties and for each of a plurality potential secondary properties, the plurality of potential secondary properties being responsive to a second preselected range, a second preselected increment, and one of a second predetermined operation property and a second predetermined mass property corresponding to a third selection by the user of one of the plurality of operation variables and the plurality of mass variables at a third one of the plurality of variable selection fields to define a user-selected secondary variable;

the resulting display of an aircraft performance substantiation at the user interface is generated so that the user can thereby visualize a relationship among the user-selected performance variable, the user-selected mission variable, and the user-selected secondary variable throughout the first preselected range and the second preselected range, the generating step being further responsive to the plurality of potential secondary properties;

the resulting display includes a plot of each of the plurality of performance properties for each respective potential mission property of the plurality of potential mission properties and for each respective potential secondary property of the plurality of potential secondary properties; and

the resulting display further includes a plurality of separate plot lines, each separate plot line being for a respective one of the plurality of potential secondary properties.

32. An interactive user interface as defined in claim 28, further comprising a display of a configuration alert responsive to a configuration alert level being determined for one of the plurality of potential mission properties responsive to one of a plurality of aircraft configuration bounds for the preselected aircraft.

33. An interactive user interface as defined in claim 28, further comprising a display of a performance alert responsive to a performance alert level being determined for one of the plurality of performance properties responsive to one of a plurality of aircraft performance bounds for the preselected aircraft.