Abstract: During ATCRBS surveillance procedures, a multiplicity of target aircraft are typically detected through target replies from interrogation signals. However, the nature of the target acquisition procedures are such that positive identification of the target aircraft is not available. Rather than ordering the target tracks with increasing range and correlating the target replies with tracks based on the ordering of the target tracks, the tracks are prioritized, based on confidence in the reliability of the identification of each track, into groups. An attempt to correlate the tracks of each group with the set of target replies is performed for the groups in order of decreasing priority. A target reply is assigned to a track when a correlation between a track and a target reply is determined.

Abstract: In a flight management system (FMS) of an aircraft, there is included a speed generator that outputs a speed command for the aircraft in accordance with a preselected mode. The FMS further includes an apparatus performing a method for adjusting the speed to achieve a desired arrival time. The apparatus comprises a unit for generating a speed adjustment coefficient (KSA), a unit for calculating wind forecast error, and a unit for adjusting the command speed outputted from the speed generator. The adjusting unit utilizes the KSA, actual wind speed at the current aircraft position, and wind forecast error at the aircraft position. The speed adjustment compensates for the error in the wind forecast, in order to achieve the desired arrival-time.

Abstract: A lamp replacement tool which provides for positively captivating lamps for ease of removing or inserting lamps from or into the type of a lamp housing that forms part of a flush mounted push button switch used in aircraft cockpit control panels. The lamp is mounted behind a display legend formed on the face of the push button and for lamp replacement the push button portion of the switch unplugs from the switch body and hinges down to expose the rear of the lamp. A friction fit maintains the lamp in the lamp housing. The lamp replacement tool includes upper and lower blades extending from a handle member in spaced apart parallel relationship. The lower blade is formed with a forked end portion having a u-shape for engaging with a flange formed on a base portion of the lamp and for embracing the base portion. The upper blade is formed with either a v-shaped portion or an aperture for engaging with a base contact protruding from one end of the lamp. The upper blade terminates in an angled lead-in.