Abstract: A method for providing real-time weather and other information about an airport to an aircraft. The method comprises the steps of generating a signal representing instantaneous weather information, determining a real-time weather information value from the instantaneous weather information signal over a predetermined time interval, generating an address signal representing the real-time weather information value, storing a plurality of signals representing real-time weather information messages, generating one of the message signals corresponding to the real-time weather information value in response to the address signal, and transmitting the message signal to a receiver on the aircraft.

Abstract: A system for automatically providing real-time weather and other pertinent information about an airport to an aircraft. The system can operate continuously or the pilot can utilize his radio telephone equipment to activate the information transmitter. Instantaneous weather information such as temperature, wind speed and direction and barometric pressure are supplied to a microcomputer which determines the real-time values as an average over a predetermined time period. The microcomputer then responds to the activating signal from the aircraft or operates continuously to selectively address the stored messages corresponding to the real-time information for transmission to the aircraft.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for indicating the fuel economy of a vehicle during acceleration. A throttle rate signal having a magnitude proportional to the rate of change of the position of the throttle is combined with an acceleration signal having a magnitude proportional to the rate of change of vehicle speed to generate an efficiency signal. The magnitude of the efficiency signal is proportional to the difference of the throttle rate signal and the acceleration signal. The efficiency signal is used to drive an indicator device such as a meter which indicates whether or not the vehicle is accelerating efficiently. The efficiency signal can also be used in a circuit for signaling a vehicle speed control to automatically control the acceleration of a vehicle. In accordance with the present invention, the vehicle speed control is only permitted to advance the vehicle throttle when the efficiency signal indicates that the vehicle is accelerating efficiently.