Abstract: A device for assisting the piloting of a vehicle by instruments. Various indications are displayed on an aircraft head-up view finder including a horizontal line graduated in terms of heading, a perpendicular line graduated in terms of atitude, an aircraft symbol representing the direction of the longitudinal axis of the aircraft above the horizontal line and a velocity vector symbol representing the tracking slope followed by the aircraft with respect to the ground. These are determined with respect to the tracking and atitude scales. The guidance window whose position is references with respect to the same axis is also displayed. The pilot must control the aircraft as to bring the velocity vector into the guidance window and keep it there. The window is placed on the screen at a position which is computed by the computer and which corresponds to the direction of a point of the desired path of the aircraft, this point being at a predetermined distance ahead of the aircraft.

Abstract: An aircraft display and control system includes a primary flight director and a head-up display. A flight management system computer generates a current aircraft velocity vector reticle, a desired aircraft velocity reticle, a speed reticle, an acceleration reticle, and a pitch reticle. The flight management system computer conformably generates a waypoint icon in the pilot's view through the windshield superimposed upon the position in the view of the geographic location and altitude of the actual waypoint.

Abstract: According to a method for representing information for guiding the flight of an aircraft, the airspace with at least one horizon and the precalculated flight path of the aircraft are three-dimensionally represented by means of an image display device and means for positioning one or several aircraft therein are provided. The aircraft symbols are merged into the representation of the airspace. Preferably, the other aircraft are each represented by a symbol corresponding to their position in the airspace and by at least one line represented in perspective from the point of view of the aircraft concerned.

Abstract: An integrated flight control indicator for providing visual information indicative of aircraft flight parameters has a sky arc and an earth arc which are visually distinguishable from one another. The sky arc and the earth arc cooperate to generally define a circle wherein the relative lengths of the sky arc and the earth arc indicate the pitch of the aircraft. A horizon line extends approximately between the two intersections of the sky arc and the earth arc so as to provide a visual indication of the roll of the aircraft. Other indicia are provided for indicating radar or barometric altitude, vertical speed, heading, ground track, minimum altitude break, etc. Thus, the present invention provides a visual indication suitable for use in instrument panel displays, heads-up display, and helmet-mounted displays.

Abstract: A pilot warning system is disclosed for a helicopter having a main rotor rotatable about a yaw axis, a fuselage connected to the main rotor and having a tail boom with a controllable force mechanism to counter-act the torque exerted on the fuselage by rotation of the main rotor. The pilot warning system acts on foot pedals operatively connected to the controllable force mechanism, with the pedal movement controlling the amount of force exerted by the controllable force mechanism on the tail boom to the control the orientation of the helicopter fuselage about the yaw axis. A position sensing device senses the location of at least one of the foot pedals between its first and second positions, and a warning indicator operatively connected to the position sensing device provides a warning to the pilot when the sensed foot pedal reaches a predetermined distance from one of the first and second positions.

Abstract: An FMS with the capability of automatically adjusting the view of the flight path as the flight progresses while maintaining a set viewing direction. The vertical dimension of the flight path display chosen to fill the display and provide increased readability.

Abstract: A bird's eye view commonly used in a flight simulation is applicable to an apparatus and method for navigating a vehicle running on a set route of travel to a set destination using a (color) display unit according to the present invention. The bird's eye view of a road map surrounding a present position of the vehicle has a viewing point placed at a predetermined position on an upper sky in a direction opposite to the set destination with the present position of the vehicle as a reference and has a line of sight looking down over the road map so that a part of the road map surrounding the present position of the vehicle can be viewed in an extended scale form and the remaining part of the road map remote from the present position and nearer to the set destination can be viewed in a gradually reduction scale form.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display flight indicator unit having the capability to display a horizontal situation indicator (HSI) or an attitude direction indicator (ADI) on the viewing area of the same unit. Signals from existing aircraft electronics are processed to determine whether the incoming signal is an HSI or ADI graphical image to be displayed on the viewing area. A unique component layout is described to enable HSI and ADI to be contained within a unit having a chassis size not larger than previously known HSI and ADI units.

Abstract: A device to control an aircraft system in manual pilot mode, using notably a head-up display, is constituted by a display screen located at the position of a piece of equipment of the right-hand part of the instrument panel, the screen displaying information elements delivered by the replaced equipment and information elements to control the piloting task. Application for the controlling of a manual pilot phase by a co-pilot in an aircraft using a head-up display.

Abstract: According to a process for representing information for guiding the flight of an aircraft, the airspace with at least one horizon and the precalculated flight path of the aircraft are three-dimensionally represented by means of animage display device and the surface above the horizon is subdivided into strips of different colours which extend parallel to the horizon. When the point of the precalculated flight path of the aircraft coincides with its shadow, the symbol that represents said precalculated flight path advantageously takes the position of the shadow projected on the ground. The shadow is preferably represented by a transparent design.

Abstract: An aircraft display combines speed error tapes and multiple speed reference bugs to produce a display which reduces pilot workload. The length of the speed error tape is indicative of the difference between a current aircraft speed and a reference speed. Multiple reference bugs are adjacent to the error tape and are indicative of the difference between the current aircraft speed and other selected reference speeds. The reference bugs move along the error tape thereby communicating the status of the current aircraft speed relative to the multiple reference speeds. The display reduces the need for the pilot to scan and analyze numerous instruments for the same information.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display flight indicator unit having the capability to display a horizontal situation indicator (HSI) or an attitude direction indicator (ADI) on the viewing area of the same unit. Signals from existing aircraft electronics are processed to determine whether the incoming signal is an HSI or ADI graphical image to be displayed on the viewing area. A unique component layout is described to enable HSI and ADI to be contained within a unit having a chassis size not larger than previously known HSI and ADI units.

Abstract: An optoelectronic device designed to facilitate the piloting of an aircraft under conditions of poor visibility, at take-off and in the event of an interruption of approach procedures through a wave-off maneuver. It consists of a collimator displaying, in addition to the artificial skyline, the aircraft model and the ground speed vector, two take-off and wave-off slope scales inclined symmetrically along the arms of an X laid on the artificial skyline and intersecting at a value of pitch attitude called a safety pitch attitude to be maintained in the event of engine failure, a local horizon locked into the aircraft model and two pointers that identify the safety pitch attitude and frame the artificial skyline when the pitch attitude of the aircraft corresponds to the safety pitch attitude. Through these new graphic symbols, the pilot can examine the pitch attitude of the aircraft and its roll attitude without taking his eyes off the aircraft model.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improvement to the guidance, during the approach and landing stages, of aircraft operating in the categories 2 or 3A of the certification system used by recognized civilian organizations such as the DGAC, the FAA or the JAA, this improvement being designed to render the aircraft capable of working in the immediately lower category, namely the 3A or 3B category, at lower cost. The improvement consists of the addition of a head-up display visor HUD to the attitude heading reference system AHRS and to the air data computer ADC and of the displaying, on the head-up display visor HUD, of the flight path vector whose angular coordinates are drawn from information on east-west and north-south horizontal ground speed delivered by a global positioning receiver GPS according to the avionics standard furthermore used for the localization and navigation of the aircraft.

Abstract: An aircraft flight instrument display panel (10) has a combined speed and heading indicator in the form of a central square (11) surrounded by a scaled matrix (12). Displacement of an aircraft (100), in which the display is installed, from a desired speed and heading being indicated by displacement of an aircraft symbol (14) in the y and x directions from the central square. The aircraft (100) has an attitude sensor system (102) and the flight instrument display (108) has a flight instrument control system (104), the attitude sensor system and the flight instrument control system having an interconnection (106) with control laws such that, when the aircraft (100) is displaced from its desired speed and heading, pilot adjustment of pitch and roll, respectively, in a manner tending to return the aircraft (100) to the desired speed and heading, causes the aircraft symbol (14) to move towards the central symmetrical square (11).

Abstract: An artificial horizon altitude warning system is provided for helping to prevent a controlled flight of an aircraft into the ground. The artificial horizon altitude warning system comprises an altimeter for gathering altitude information about the aircraft and generating an altitude signal; a laser assembly for producing a light in a cockpit of the aircraft; and a controller for receiving the altitude signal and for positioning the light in the cockpit to form an artificial line based on the altitude signal, the artificial line being positioned so as to be disposed along tin arcuate length corresponding to the location of an actual horizon as viewed by a pilot of the aircraft.

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for displaying flight management information for an aircraft, a three-dimensional display of the flight space with at least one horizon and the predicted flight path of the aircraft is effected by means of an image reproduction device. The predicted flight path is preferably displayed as a series of symbols which assume, within the flight space displayed, the predicted position and the predicted altitude of the aircraft with respect to the flight space at different points in time.

Abstract: An aircraft control and display system having a multifunction display for configuring the vehicle flight parameters and control of mission equipment utilizes a dedicated alphanumeric display as a scratchpad memory for temporarily displaying IFF mode commands encoded in alphanumeric form and for changing an IFF transponder code, thereby obviating the use of the multifunction display and the need thereby for reprogramming the mission functions. Codes entered in the alphanumeric display are validated against codes stored in a master control processor unit, whereby a prompt is provided to the operator to reenter the code in the event of an error in entry or an invalid code.

Abstract: One side of a primary flight display has a vertical airspeed scale, a round dial display, and a window. The round dial display provides global or macro airspeed information and a digital display of a present airspeed value is provided in the window. A vertical altitude scale is located on a second side of the PFD with a second round dial located along the altitude scale. The second dial is configured to provide a predetermined amount of rotation of the pointer for a predetermined change in altitude. A second window located along the altitude scale provides a digital present value of altitude.

Abstract: A head-up display system includes means generating a pitch ladder pattern having pitch bars which are straight lines with a central gap, the pitch bars representing climb angles being solid lines and the pitch bars representing dive angles being dashed lines, the pattern having a scale factor which is unity in a central region and which increases smoothly from the central region towards the extremes of the pattern, characterised in that: a) the central bar representing level flight is considerably longer than any other bar, and the lengths of the bars decrease according to a relationship with their displacement from the central bar; b) the zenith or 90.degree. climb angle is indicated by a distinctive star symbol and the nadir or 90.degree.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the display on a screen on board an aircraft of flying aid symbols. On the basis of information supplied by an inertial system and ground beacons processed by an on board computer, the process consists of displaying on an on board screen (EV) symbols more particularly representing the wings of the aircraft (A1, A2), the model of the aircraft (CP), its speed (V), the tendency to acceleration and deceleration (AD1, AD2), a flight path prediction (PT), the artificial horizon (H), the roll angle (.phi.), the sideslip (AL) and the total energy (ET1, ET2). It also consists of displaying the flight path to be followed in perspective (P1, P2, S3, S4, S5) and in projection (S'1 to S'5) on the plane of the runway. Any flight path segment during passage, as well as the segment following the latter are displayed in parallelepipedic form (P1, P2) in perspective.

Abstract: Apparatus for projecting an elongated light bar representing an artificial horizon on an interior surface of an aircraft cockpit in front of a pilot of the aircraft with respect to a reference datum line on the interior surface of the cockpit. A vertical reference means, located in the cockpit or remotely therefrom maintains a vertical reference axis for all attitudes of the aircraft. A light beam source, which may be a laser beam, is aligned with a movable optical system having mirrors or lenses to convert the light beam to a plane of light. A mechanical linkage or a servomotor coupled between the vertical reference means and the optical system controls the optical system, so that the datum line appears stationary and the light bar seems to turn angularly and move vertically when the aircraft rolls and pitches.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the visual display of the attitude of an aircraft to assist piloting or flying in space. On the basis of the values of cardan or gimbal angles (.psi., .theta., .phi.) of the aircraft marked in a reference mark linked with the celestial cavity or firmament and on the basis of a calculation of quaternions, the process consists of displaying on a screen (1) on board the aircraft, in particular the following informations: a cruciform reticule (7,8,9), a piloting or flying circle B, the value of the roll angle (.phi.) in a scale (10), a net formed by portions of meridians (M) and parallels (P) of the celestial cavity, a symbol (V1) representing the direction pointed by the velocity vector of the aircraft, a short term prediction vector (12) for the aircraft attitude, as well as numerical values (19,21,23) for the roll, pitch and yaw velocities. Application is to the piloting of an aircraft in space.

Abstract: An aircraft attitude display format which maintains the horizon reference line always in view and which presents the pilot with multiple indications of aircraft attitude differing from level flight. The multiple indications include attitude registration along an angular scale and shape change of the horizon reference line. The display format has the appearance of a fish-eye lens derived optical image and is preferably placed in this form by electronic image processing--which is exemplified by an included mathematical discussion and computer code listing software. Provisions for other data display are also disclosed. Use of the display format in a panel instrument or CRT-based system including the HUD configuration are contemplated.

Abstract: An integrated attitude director indicator and horizontal situation indicator is disclosed that utilizes stereopsis to combine information that normally requires two display surfaces onto a single electronic display. One embodiment of the display comprises left and right eye versions alternately presented on the display in synchronism with alternate eye shuttered lenses worn by the viewer. The viewer has an instantaneous sense of the real world direction from his aircraft as apparently suspended within a spherical grid. The integrated display provides a presentation somewhat similar to existing flat screen separate instruments with an aircraft symbol lying at the center of the sphere with roll, pitch and heading scales displayed on this sphere. The sphere itself has one color such as blue above the horizon line and a different color such as brown below the horizon line.

Abstract: A flight path angle symbol is positioned on an aircraft attitude display indicator as a function of either a measured flight path angle or a flight path angle commanded by the pilot. When the aircraft is operating within a selected airspeed, angle of attack, pitch attitude or load factor range, or the difference between measured flight path angle and commanded flight path angle is within a selected range, the symbol is positioned on the display as a function of commanded flight path angle. However when the aircraft is operating outside any of these ranges, the symbols is positioned on the display as a function of the measured flight path angle. To avoid a rapid jump in symbol position when transitioning between measured and commanded flight path angle displays, a phase lag filter is used to attenuate and lag the symbol positioning signal.

Abstract: This optical velocimeter may be installed in an aircraft to measure the true airspeed and the angles of attack and of sideslip of the aircraft. Alternatively, the velocimeter may be mounted in a wind tunnel to measure the velocity of the airstream passing through the wind tunnel. In either case, the points of reference for measurement are the large number of aerosol particles that are entrained in the air and are assumed to have the same velocity as the oxygen and nitrogen molecules of the air itself.The velocimeter comprises a plurality of optical transmitters and optical receivers. Each transmitter includes a laser operated in the continuous-wave mode and a laser operated in the pulsed mode. The laser operated in the continuous-wave mode generates a "precursor light sheet" at some distance from the aircraft whose velocity is to be measured or in the wind-tunnel airstream whose velocity is to be measured.

Abstract: A pitch limit symbol is generated at an aircraft attitude indicator which provides a pilot with display of a stall warning angle of attack margin which is referenced to an airplane symbol on the primary attitude indicator. The position of the pitch limit symbol relative to the aircraft symbol is a function of the difference in angle of attack between the current angle of attack at the aircraft, and a predetermined angle of attack at which the onset of stall warning occurs. Additional information is provided on the attitude indicator by a flight path angle symbol. The pitch limit symbol together with the flight path angle symbol provides the pilot with information to achieve a positive rate of climb during a pitch up maneuver while adjusting the pitch attitude of the aircraft to avoid a stall situation. The position of the pitch limit symbol may be compensated by various means to decrease the distance between the aircraft symbol and the pitch limit symbol.This is a continuation of application Ser. No.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for commanding an optimal flight path for an aircraft encountering a windshear condition. An airspeed rate signal equal in magnitude and opposite in sense to the windshear is applied to derive a variable rate of change of airspeed command for application to a flight director indicator. Limits are placed on the derived command such that the minimum allowable speed command is stick shaker speed and the maximum allowable speed command is the nominal speed in the absence of the windshear. The resultant command signal represents a true airspeed rate that yields an optimal flight path for the aircraft to exit the windshear condition.

Abstract: A panoramic display system for an aircraft comprising a display screen and line generation means for generating a line image on the display screen. The position of the line image on the display screen corresponds to the position of a projection of an artifact external to the aircraft onto an imaginary window to an eye point within the aircraft. The eye point is positioned on the opposite side of the window from the artifact. The line image may be generated by determining the position of a great circle on a sphere having its center at the eye point, such that the position of the great circle corresponds to the artifact projected onto the sphere to the eye point. The position of the line image on the display screen corresponds to the position of the great circle on the sphere. The display system may comprise a plurality of display screens positioned adjacent to one another such that each can be viewed from a single viewing point.

Abstract: A turn-and-bank indicator can integrate with regard to time the displacement of a pointer of the turn-and-bank indicator, the pointer indicating the turning rate of the airplane. It includes a non-contact converter which outputs an electrical signal in proportion to the deflection of the pointer; an amplifier which amplifies the output of the non-contact converter; an integrator which integrates the output of the amplifier with respect to time; and a digital display unit which displays the output from the integrator at a close position with the pointer.

Abstract: An aircraft attitude display device comprising: a circular array of radially extending selectively activatable display elements (5), the radially inner ends of which constitute a boundary defining a central space; within the said central space, a fixed aircraft symbol (7); and means for selectively activating the said display elements in accordance with aircraft attitude so that the selected display elements form a visible pattern, e.g. a sector of the array, bearing a geometrical relationship with respect to the aircraft symbol indicative of the aircraft attitude.The device is suitable for implementation using liquid crystal display technology to give a stand-by display of aircraft pitch and roll which is readily understandable by pilots since it is similar to the display given by conventional rolling ball action aircraft attitude instruments.

Abstract: A solid state attitude and director indicator (ADI) is disclosed utilizing liquid crystal display technology to represent attitude of a vehicle in two axes. A visual representation of attitude changes is provided on the liquid crystal display as well as numeric data, in a preferred embodiment. Additionally, glideslope, localizer, and approach speed may be displayed as well as heading and command bar information.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aircraft attitude indicator having a gyro controlled spherical display with delineations of regularly spaced meridians that maintain a vertical orientation and spaced parallels transverse to the meridians, one of which is an equator that divides the sphere into upper and lower hemispheres and corresponds to a horizon. The lower hemisphere has triangular pointer indicia, each symmetrical to a delineated meridian and with a base on a parallel and an apex proximal to the equator. The pointer indicia cooperate with a reference delineation that is relatively fixed with respect to the aircraft and substantially centered on the display. The pointer indicium nearest the reference designates the "up" direction; those adjacent to it provide information about changes in aircraft attitude relative to "up" that will result from possible maneuvers from the existing attitude.

Abstract: An artificial horizon display generator determines either sky shading or ground shading in real time as each pixel of a raster display is generated. Transition line parameters are specified by host processor, whereupon the display generator computes whether the raster line currently being generated will intersect the horizon boundary line, and if so, at what X-Y transition point. Pixels generated prior to the transition point are of the initial shading; pixels generated subsequent to the transition point are of the opposite shading.

Abstract: An address generator responsible to input parameters for generating addresses to read out the content of a memory along parallel lines disposed at an angle to the orthogonal rows and columns of storage elements. The address generator has a first pair of registers coupled by an adder to generate line corrected X addresses, a second pair of registers coupled by an adder for generating first address corrections, an adder summing said line corrected X addresses with said first address corrections to generate X addresses, a third pair of registers coupled by an adder to generate line corrected Y addresses, a fourth pair of registers coupled by an adder to generate second address corrections, and an adder summing said line corrected Y addresses with said second address corrections to generate Y addresses.