Abstract: A system and method for displaying a three-dimensional image of airspace includes a series of translucent, horizontal “pavers” that lie like stepping stones marking the selected flight path. In addition, the display includes a series of vertical rectangles—called “wickets”—which bracket the selected flight path. One or more of the wickets may include a graphical representation of the direction of the aircraft should be flying through the wicket. The system accommodates changes in course by generating a new flight path when instructed to do so. The new flight path is created in a way that assures continuous guidance for the pilot and sufficient time for the pilot to adjust to the new course. The display can include a compass rose which indicates the aircraft's present heading and direction of flight.

Abstract: An avionics system having a pilot user interface, and method of interfacing with a pilot, includes providing a display screen and a video processor driving the display screen. A plurality of context dependent input devices is provided. Operation of at least one of the input devices may cause the processor to display a rotary selection list on the display screen. The rotary selection list includes multiple potential selections, each capable of effecting a change in the avionic system when highlighted. At least one of the input devices may be made up of at least one rotary knob. The processor displays a context dependent label for the rotary knob.

Abstract: A synthetic rendering of the terrain within a selected field of view is created from raw terrain elevation data, and the resolution of the rendering is proportioned to the altitude above ground level (altitude AGL) of the aircraft. All the data points are subdivided into tiles. Only data from tiles within a prescribed field of view are considered for processing; all others are ignored. Within the selected tiles, only some of the terrain elevation data points are passed to the graphics processor for rendering. At maximum resolution, when the aircraft is on the ground or at a low altitude, there are relatively fewer tiles within the field of view and the fraction of the data points from each tile within the field of view passed for rendering is relatively large. As the aircraft's altitude AGL level increases, the field of view also increases in area increasing the number of tiles within the field of view.

Abstract: A synthetic rendering of the terrain within a selected field of view is created from raw terrain elevation data, and the resolution of the rendering is proportioned to the altitude above ground level (altitude AGL) of the aircraft. All the data points are subdivided into tiles. Only data from tiles within a prescribed field of view are considered for processing; all others are ignored. Within the selected tiles, only some of the terrain elevation data points are passed to the graphics processor for rendering. At maximum resolution, when the aircraft is on the ground or at a low altitude, there are relatively fewer tiles within the field of view and the fraction of the data points from each tile within the field of view passed for rendering is relatively large. As the aircraft's altitude AGL level increases, the field of view also increases in area increasing the number of tiles within the field of view.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying a three-dimensional image of airspace includes a series of translucent, horizontal “pavers” that lie like stepping stones marking the selected flight path. In addition, the display includes a series of vertical rectangles—called “wickets”—which bracket the selected flight path. One or more of the wickets may include a graphical representation of the direction of the aircraft should be flying through the wicket. The system accommodates changes in course by generating a new flight path when instructed to do so. The new flight path is created in a way that assures continuous guidance for the pilot and sufficient time for the pilot to adjust to the new course. The display can include a compass rose which indicates the aircraft's present heading and direction of flight.