Abstract: A transponder system that is adapted to be positioned in an aircraft includes a transponder that is adapted to transmit information pertaining to the aircraft in which the transponder is positioned includes at least one receiver that is adapted to receive information including information pertaining to another aircraft. The receiver(s) is adapted to receive different types of data on multiple different frequencies. A display, which may be integral with the system housing or remotely mounted, is adapted to display (i) information received by said receiver and/or (ii) information to guide user input selection of information transmitted by said transponder. The housing houses the transponder, the receiver and, in one embodiment, the display. The existing transponder in the aircraft can be removed thereby leaving an opening in the aircraft and the transponder installed in the opening.

Abstract: An Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) system, and method of harmonizing a transponder Squawk code and an ADS-B system, ensures that a Squawk code broadcast by the ADS-B system matches the transponder Squawk code. The transponder Squawk code is transmitted from a transponder positioned onboard an aircraft and the transmitted transponder Squawk code with a device positioned onboard the aircraft. A Squawk code input of an ADS-B Squawk code to be transmitted with the ADS-B system is received. The ADS-B Squawk code is compared with the received transmitter Squawk code using a comparator and the pilot is informed whether the transmitter Squawk code matches the ADS-B Squawk code. A message formatter generates a message that includes the ADS-B Squawk code. A wireless transmitter broadcasts the ADS-B Squawk code generated by the message formatter.

Abstract: An aircraft electronic device retention mechanism and method of removeably supporting an aircraft electronic device having first electrical contacts within a cockpit having compatible second electrical contacts includes a base that is generally configured to the size and shape of a surface of the electronic device and at least one lever that is mounted by a pivot to the base. The lever(s) has an engaging portion that is adapted to engage an engaged portion of the electronic device and an actuation portion. The actuation portion is adapted to rotate the lever(s) about said pivot between a first orientation in which the engaging portion retains the engaged portion and a second orientation in which the engaging portion does not retain said engaged portion. A manual actuator is connected with the actuation portion of the pivot.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying additional traffic information beyond that received from an ADS-B or other transponder communication. Such additional traffic information may be displayed on a display screen within a cockpit, and may include such things as an aircraft's make, model, manufacturer, or other information. The additional information may be displayed as text, or one or more pictures, icons, or symbols that correspond to this additional information, or any combination of text and such items. The additional information may be determined from one or more databases that correlate information received in the transponder communication to the additional information that is not contained within the transponder communication.

Abstract: A method and system for determining the suitability of a particular location on a mobile craft for mounting a magnetometer includes positioning a magnetometer in a particular location. The magnetometer including at least one output indicating magnetic measurements made by the magnetometer. A computer is connected to the magnetometer and programmed to monitor the output(s) of the magnetometer. An attempt is made to detect magnetic interference at the mobile craft and a human-perceptible indication is provided if the output(s) of said magnetometer changes by more than a specified amount while attempting to detect magnetic interference.

Abstract: A method and system for displaying three dimensional images of runways and terrain, as well as additional information, on one or more screens of an avionics display system is provided. The system merges elevation information for terrain points and elevation information for runway points by grouping runways together that are within a threshold distance of each other. For each group, a plane is calculated. The calculated plane is then projected onto all of the runways within the group. The plane may also be projected onto a subset of neighboring terrain points. The adjusted elevation created by the projection of the plane are then used in creating the images for display on the synthetic vision display. The result is that all of the runways within a group, along with their neighboring terrain, are displayed as being coplanar.

Abstract: An aircraft electronic device retention mechanism and method of removeably supporting an aircraft electronic device having first electrical contacts within a cockpit having compatible second electrical contacts includes a base that is generally configured to the size and shape of a surface of the electronic device and at least one lever that is mounted by a pivot to the base. The lever(s) has an engaging portion that is adapted to engage an engaged portion of the electronic device and an actuation portion. The actuation portion is adapted to rotate the lever(s) about said pivot between a first orientation in which the engaging portion retains the engaged portion and a second orientation in which the engaging portion does not retain said engaged portion. A manual actuator is connected with the actuation portion of the pivot.

Abstract: A transponder system that is adapted to be positioned in an aircraft includes a transponder that is adapted to transmit information pertaining to the aircraft in which the transponder is positioned includes at least one receiver that is adapted to receive information including information pertaining to another aircraft. The receiver(s) is adapted to receive different types of data on multiple different frequencies. A display, which may be integral with the system housing or remotely mounted, is adapted to display (i) information received by said receiver and/or (ii) information to guide user input selection of information transmitted by said transponder. The housing houses the transponder, the receiver and, in one embodiment, the display. The existing transponder in the aircraft can be removed thereby leaving an opening in the aircraft and the transponder installed in the opening.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying additional traffic information beyond that received from an ADS-B or other transponder communication. Such additional traffic information may be displayed on a display screen within a cockpit, and may include such things as an aircraft's make, model, manufacturer, or other information. The additional information may be displayed as text, or one or more pictures, icons, or symbols that correspond to this additional information, or any combination of text and such items. The additional information may be determined from one or more databases that correlate information received in the transponder communication to the additional information that is not contained within the transponder communication.

Abstract: An electronic assembly retaining system provides a secure mount for an electronic assembly, such as an avionics assembly, while being lockable and releasable via manual rotation of a single retainer stem that may be positioned in a readily-accessible location. The retainer stem may include threaded shaft and a detent system to resist inadvertent rotation of the stem. The system includes a housing that at least partially encloses the electronic assembly and which includes a receiving element for receiving a distal end portion of the retainer stem, which is movable between engaging and disengaging positions.

Abstract: An Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) system for an aircraft and method of automatically harmonizing a transponder squawk code and an ADS-B system such that a squawk code broadcast by the ADS-B system matches the transponder squawk code, includes transmitting the transponder squawk code from a transponder positioned onboard an aircraft and receiving the transmitted transponder squawk code with a device positioned onboard the aircraft. The ADS-B system is updated with the received transmitter squawk code. The squawk code is transmitted using the ADS-B system.

Abstract: An electrical connector for electronics applications such as avionics or the like includes an adaptable strain relief feature for accommodating different sizes of wire bundles that terminate and are electrically coupled within the connector. The strain relief feature includes a pair of clamping members that span between mounting surfaces at a rear portion of the connector to define a strain relief passageway in which the wire bundle is clamped to provide a strain relief. The clamping members are selectable from at least two different available shapes so that the size of the strain relief passageway is determined by the selection of clamping members, which may be interchangeable with one another. Resilient pads on the clamping members engage and compress against the wire bundle to secure it in place when the selected clamping members are installed.

Abstract: A method and system for determining the suitability of a particular location on a mobile craft for mounting a magnetometer includes positioning a magnetometer in a particular location. The magnetometer including at least one output indicating magnetic measurements made by the magnetometer. A computer is connected to the magnetometer and programmed to monitor the output(s) of the magnetometer. An attempt is made to detect magnetic interference at the mobile craft and a human-perceptible indication is provided if the output(s) of said magnetometer changes by more than a specified amount while attempting to detect magnetic interference.

Abstract: A flight display system provides advanced, or previewed, indications of the aircraft's position relative to an approach via a primary flight display. The primary flight display displays one or both of horizontal and vertical deviation indicators with respect to the aircraft's current position prior to the aircraft reaching the final approach. A feature of the horizontal and vertical deviation indicators may change on the primary flight display when the aircraft reaches the final approach, such as their color. The display system may also include an approach annunciator that provides an indication of the type of approach and the navigation source for the approach. The approach annunciator is displayed prior to the final approach becoming the active leg of the flight plan. The previewed information may appear automatically on the primary flight display based upon a distance of the aircraft to the airport or runway.

Abstract: A method and system for displaying three dimensional images of runways and terrain, as well as additional information, on one or more screens of an avionics display system is provided. The system merges elevation information for terrain points and elevation information for runway points by grouping runways together that are within a threshold distance of each other. For each group, a plane is calculated. The calculated plane is then projected onto all of the runways within the group. The plane may also be projected onto a subset of neighboring terrain points. The adjusted elevation created by the projection of the plane are then used in creating the images for display on the synthetic vision display. The result is that all of the runways within a group, along with their neighboring terrain, are displayed as being coplanar.

Abstract: A system installed in an aircraft automatically retrieves and displays approach minimum data to the pilot, thereby relieving him or her of the burden of searching for the desired information. The display of the data may take the form of a complete or partial image of a published approach chart. In a variation, the system may both automatically retrieve and automatically enter the desired data into the flight plan, thereby relieving the pilot of both the searching and data-entry tasks. The system may include a database, a screen, a control, and a controller.

Abstract: An electrical connector for electronics applications such as avionics or the like includes an adaptable strain relief feature for accommodating different sizes of wire bundles that terminate and are electrically coupled within the connector. The strain relief feature includes a pair of clamping members that span between mounting surfaces at a rear portion of the connector to define a strain relief passageway in which the wire bundle is clamped to provide a strain relief. The clamping members are selectable from at least two different available shapes so that the size of the strain relief passageway is determined by the selection of clamping members, which may be interchangeable with one another. Resilient pads on the clamping members engage and compress against the wire bundle to secure it in place when the selected clamping members are installed.

Abstract: An electronic assembly retaining system provides a secure mount for an electronic assembly, such as an avionics assembly, while being lockable and releasable via manual rotation of a single retainer stem that may be positioned in a readily-accessible location. The retainer stem may include threaded shaft and a detent system to resist inadvertent rotation of the stem. The system includes a housing that at least partially encloses the electronic assembly and which includes a receiving element for receiving a distal end portion of the retainer stem, which is movable between engaging and disengaging positions.

Abstract: A navigation system for an aircraft includes one or more wing-mounted sensors whose outputs are effected by the flexing of the wing during flight. The navigation system corrects for these errors using measurements of actual wing flex taken during an initial flight and thereafter assumed to be valid for all subsequent flights and for all aircraft using the same type of airframe. The actual measurements of wing flex define a wing flex correction factor that the navigation system may adjust during flight to reduce or remove residual errors. The wing flex correction factor accounts for all three types of possible wing flex: pitch, roll, and yaw flexing.

Abstract: A runway performance monitor and method for an aircraft, includes providing a control, and monitoring aircraft performance. The control has baseline performance data of the aircraft during takeoff and/or landing. The control compares actual performance of the aircraft during takeoff and/or landing with the baseline performance data and calculates predicted information relevant to takeoff velocity and/or landed velocity. The control may determine braking point data and/or takeoff point data for that aircraft as a function of aircraft performance and runway location and length. The braking point data defines a location relevant to decelerating of the aircraft to a landed velocity. The takeoff point data defines a location relevant to accelerating of the aircraft to takeoff velocity. A display may be provided to display the information relevant to takeoff velocity and/or landed velocity.