Abstract: Fly-by-wire vehicle systems and related user interface devices are provided for controlling operation of a vehicle, such as an aircraft. An exemplary user interface includes a first linkage and a second linkage coupled to the first linkage. The first linkage is actuatable about a first pivot point and the second linkage is actuatable about a second pivot point independent of actuation of the first linkage about the first pivot point. The user interface includes a sensing arrangement configurable to obtain a first orientation of the first linkage with respect to a first reference orientation associated with the first pivot point, obtain a second orientation of the second linkage with respect to a second reference orientation associated with the second pivot point, and determine an input command based at least in part on the first orientation and the second orientation.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for landing of an aerial vehicle on a runway. The systems include a runway overrun awareness and alerting system (ROAAS) configured to: monitor flight parameters during an approach phase and landing phase of a flight, and determine a landing distance value based on the flight parameters, an automatic flight control system (AFCS) including an automatic flight runway overrun awareness and alerting system (AF-ROAAS) protection mode configured to adjust energy of the aerial vehicle during the approach phase and/or the landing phase to reduce a likelihood of the aerial vehicle overrunning the runway, and a controller configured to: compare the landing distance value and an available runway length value to a threshold criterion, wherein the threshold criterion corresponds to the likelihood of the vehicle overrunning the runway, and automatically activating the AF-ROAAS protection mode in response to a determination that the threshold criterion is met.

Abstract: A method and system for validating performance of an Auto Flight Control System (AFCS) of an vehicle has been developed. A target for the vehicle is entered into the AFCS by a pilot of the vehicle. A mode of operation for the vehicle is entered into the AFCS by the pilot of the vehicle. The pilot's intention is determined based on the entered target and mode of operation. A maneuver plan of the vehicle is predicted based on the entered target and mode of operation. The predicted maneuver plan is validated based on environmental conditions affecting the target for the vehicle. The predicted maneuver plan is validated based on operational performance characteristics of the vehicle. The pilot is alerted if predicted maneuver plan fails validation. A suggested corrective action is provided to the pilot if predicted maneuver plan fails to be validated.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for landing of an aerial vehicle on a runway. The systems include a runway overrun awareness and alerting system (ROAAS) configured to: monitor flight parameters during an approach phase and landing phase of a flight, and determine a landing distance value based on the flight parameters, an automatic flight control system (AFCS) including an automatic flight runway overrun awareness and alerting system (AF-ROAAS) protection mode configured to adjust energy of the aerial vehicle during the approach phase and/or the landing phase to reduce a likelihood of the aerial vehicle overrunning the runway, and a controller configured to: compare the landing distance value and an available runway length value to a threshold criterion, wherein the threshold criterion corresponds to the likelihood of the vehicle overrunning the runway, and automatically activating the AF-ROAAS protection mode in response to a determination that the threshold criterion is met.

Abstract: Fly-by-wire vehicle systems and related user interface devices are provided for controlling operation of a vehicle, such as an aircraft. An exemplary user interface includes a first linkage and a second linkage coupled to the first linkage. The first linkage is actuatable about a first pivot point and the second linkage is actuatable about a second pivot point independent of actuation of the first linkage about the first pivot point. The user interface includes a sensing arrangement configurable to obtain a first orientation of the first linkage with respect to a first reference orientation associated with the first pivot point, obtain a second orientation of the second linkage with respect to a second reference orientation associated with the second pivot point, and determine an input command based at least in part on the first orientation and the second orientation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for more reliably transferring operational control for various aircraft flight control surfaces from a first sub-system to a second sub-system. The present invention provides an Actuator Control Electronics (ACE) wrap-back module that monitors the output of the normal mode control module and switches control to the direct control module based upon the detection of an error condition. The switching function is controlled by a monitoring system that monitors the output from an integrated heartbeat module that emits a pre-programmed signal. The pre-programmed signal is encoded and sent over a communication bus where it is then decoded and validated by comparing the decoded signal to the expected results. Any irregularity in the heartbeat signal automatically triggers a change of control from the first flight control sub-system to the second flight control sub-system.