Patents Assigned to Potomac Aviation Technology Corp
  • Patent number: 11170653
    Abstract: An automated air traffic advisory system bridges the communications gap between multiple aircraft on different frequencies in a monitored airspace, such as a non-towered airport, that may be remote from an Air Traffic Control facility. The system can automatically notify remote Air Traffic Control of the status of an aircraft in the monitored airspace, and can dynamically vary transmitter strength to be heard selectively only by nearby aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: POTOMAC AVIATION TECHNOLOGY CORP.
    Inventor: David Wartofsky
  • Patent number: 7948401
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for monitoring an emergency frequency at a ground station for detection of an emergency signal and, upon detecting an emergency signal, determining whether the emergency signal represents an emergency event. If an emergency event is detected, the emergency event is reported. Determining whether the emergency signal represents an emergency event may include testing validity of the emergency signal to eliminate false positives. Reporting the emergency event may include sending an emergency event message to a remote server. The emergency event message may include time information and signal strength information associated with the detected emergency event and location information associated with the ground station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Potomac Aviation Technology Corp.
    Inventors: David J. Wartofsky, Gary B. Simon
  • Patent number: 6181260
    Abstract: A method for automatically providing weather advisories for an airport to pilots comprises monitoring weather conditions at the airport and then generating weather advisories in response to these weather conditions. The broadcast traffic on a common traffic advisory channel is also simultaneously monitored and then menus providing for selectable weather advisories and radio check options are broadcast to the pilots. The weather advisories or radio check can then be selected by the pilot by clicks of their transmit button. The time spacing between the menus is adaptively changed in response to traffic on the common traffic advisory frequency. Also, the length of the weather advisories is also changed in response to this traffic. The radio check option is provided automatically by first confirming selection of the radio check option and then allowing the broadcaster to broadcast a short message which is recorded by the system and then rebroadcast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Potomac Aviation Technology Corp
    Inventors: Gary B. Simon, David Wartofsky
  • Patent number: 5862454
    Abstract: An automated transceiver is adapted to monitor a frequency of interest. In response to receiving some predetermined protocol, it becomes activated and records the next transmission on the frequency. The transceiver then rebroadcasts the recorded transmission. In this way, a radio operator can be assured that the transceiver is operating when the rebroadcasted transmission is received. If the transmission from the device is an acceptable quality, there is an assurance that the transceiver is operating properly since, to receive the rebroadcasted transmission, both the transmitter portion must operate to transmit the message to the inventive radio check device, and the receiver portion of the transmitter must be operational to receive the rebroadcasted message from the system. The remote operator need not rely on the subjective determination of another. Further, the participation of another person is not required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Potomac Aviation Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Gary B. Simon, David Wartofsky
  • Patent number: 5565863
    Abstract: A method for automatically providing weather advisories for an airport to pilots comprises monitoring weather conditions at the airport and then generating weather advisories in response to these weather conditions. The broadcast traffic on a common traffic advisory channel is also simultaneously monitored and then menus providing for selectable weather advisories and radio check options are broadcast to the pilots. The weather advisories or radio check can then be selected by the pilot by clicks of their transmit button. The time spacing between the menus is adaptively changed in response to traffic on the common traffic advisory frequency. Also, the length of the weather advisories is also changed in response to this traffic. The radio check option is provided automatically by first confirming selection of the radio check option and then allowing the broadcaster to broadcast a short message which is recorded by the system and then rebroadcast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Potomac Aviation Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Gary B. Simon, David Wartofsky
  • Patent number: RE38925
    Abstract: A method for automatically providing weather advisories for an airport to pilots comprises monitoring weather conditions at the airport and then generating weather advisories in response to these weather conditions. The broadcast traffic on a common traffic advisory channel is also simultaneously monitored and then menus providing for selectable weather advisories and radio check options are broadcast to the pilots. The weather advisories or radio check can then be selected by the pilot by clicks of their transmit button. The time spacing between the menus is adaptively changed in response to traffic on the common traffic advisory frequency. Also, the length of the weather advisories is also changed in response to this traffic. The radio check option is provided automatically by first confirming selection of the radio check option and then allowing the broadcaster to broadcast a short message which is recorded by the system and then rebroadcast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Potomac Aviation Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Gary B. Simon, David J. Wartofsky