Abstract: An assisting process and device for managing an in-flight refueling is disclosed. The device (1) comprising means (3) for automatically calculating a distance between aircrafts, at which a meeting phase for an in-flight refueling should be initiated.

Abstract: A method and device that determine characteristic angles, each characteristic angle representing the angle by which a rectilinear segment of the flight path is seen from the aircraft. A head-up screen displays characteristic signs that are representative of the characteristic angles.

Abstract: A system determines a limit angle of climb corresponding to a climb angle of an aircraft for flying over the ground along an avoidance path and displays a characteristic sign representing the limit angle of climb on a display screen.

Abstract: A method and device for determining the width of a safety corridor for an aircraft and to a method and system for securing the automatic low-altitude flight of an aircraft. The device includes an input device which can be used by an operator in order to enter a plurality of errors which each have an impact on the automatic low-altitude flight of the aircraft; a probability determination unit for determining an excursion probability of a safety corridor that is not to be crossed; and a width determination unit for determining the width of said safety corridor form the aforementioned errors and excursion probability, taking account of at least one mathematical expression linking at least the errors, the excursion probability and the width.

Abstract: Method and device for ensuring the safety of a low-altitude flight of an aircraft. The device (1) comprises a recording means (8) corresponding to an operation critical instrument for recording, during a low-altitude flight, one part at least of the lateral trajectory of the flight trajectory situated ahead of the current position of the aircraft, a monitoring means (11) for monitoring, during a low-altitude flight, the availability at least of said lateral trajectory, and a guidance system (3) for taking the aircraft up to a safe altitude, taking into account said part of the trajectory recorded by said recording means (8), when said monitoring means (11) has detected a loss of said lateral trajectory.

Abstract: An assisting process and device for managing an in-flight refueling is disclosed. The device (1) comprising means (3) for automatically calculating a distance between aircrafts, at which a meeting phase for an in-flight refueling should be initiated.

Abstract: Method and device for constructing a low altitude flight trajectory intended to be followed by an aircraft. The device (1) comprises, in particular, a means (6) for constructing a lateral trajectory of the flight trajectory and a means (7) for constructing a vertical trajectory of the flight trajectory, over a profile section defined between two height maxima of a terrain profile, by displacing over the terrain profile a V-shaped construction profile, whose branches are determined respectively by maximum angles of climb and of descent and by selecting a position of the construction profile, for which its edges arrive tangential to the terrain profile, and no peak of the terrain profile crosses the construction profile, the position thus selected of the construction profile allowing the latter to form the part of the vertical trajectory which is situated at the level of said profile section.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for constructing a low-altitude flight path to be followed by an aircraft. The device comprises a database including a terrain profile concerning the terrain to be flown over by the aircraft, a set of data sources, first unit for determining a lateral trajectory of the flight path, and second unit for determining a vertical trajectory of the flight path, the second unit being formed so as to determine the vertical trajectory during the aircraft flight, successively as the flight proceeds, segment by segment, and including an element for retrieving from the database a profile section, and an element for determining a vertical trajectory segment, using the retrieved profile section, based on the climb-out and let-down performances of the aircraft derived from the set of data sources.

Abstract: Method and device for ensuring the safety of a low-altitude flight of an aircraft. A device (1) for ensuring the safety of a low-altitude flight comprises information sources (5) able to determine current flight conditions, a monitoring unit (6) for realizing, with the aid of said current flight conditions, a function for global and autonomous monitoring of said low-altitude flight of the aircraft, making it possible to preserve the integrity of said aircraft during said flight, and means (13) for presenting the results of the monitoring function realized by said monitoring unit (6) to an operator.

Abstract: Method and device for constructing a low altitude flight trajectory intended to be followed by an aircraft. The device (1) comprises, in particular, a means (6) for constructing a lateral trajectory of the flight trajectory and a means (7) for constructing a vertical trajectory of the flight trajectory, over a profile section defined between two height maxima of a terrain profile, by displacing over the terrain profile a V-shaped construction profile, whose branches are determined respectively by maximum angles of climb and of descent and by selecting a position of the construction profile, for which its edges arrive tangential to the terrain profile, and no peak of the terrain profile crosses the construction profile, the position thus selected of the construction profile allowing the latter to form the part of the vertical trajectory which is situated at the level of said profile section.

Abstract: A flight control indicator for an aircraft has a set of information sources, a computation unit which determines, on the basis of information emanating from the set of information sources, an item of information regarding actual thrust of an engine of the aircraft, and a display device which is a head-up display device and which presents, on a display screen, an indication of the item of information regarding actual thrust. The item of information regarding actual thrust is associated with a thrust scale and both are presented superimposed on the environment prevailing in front of the aircraft.

Abstract: A flight control indicator for an aircraft includes a central unit that determines a change of vertical or lateral trajectory. A display, which may present a first indicator of a next vertical change and a second indicator of a next lateral change, presents the one of the first and second indicators indicating the change of trajectory which is closest from the current position of the aircraft.

Abstract: A method and device for ensuring the safety of a low-altitude flight of an aircraft is disclosed, wherein low-altitude flight is flight along a flight trajectory at low altitude, for example 500 feet, that allows an aircraft to follow as closely as possible the terrain being over-flown. To avoid collision with the terrain, a safety corridor, devoid of any obstacle, is determined which is delimited on either side of the lateral trajectory, and whose width depends on a global uncertainty, and the aircraft is guided along the flight trajectory, avoiding any exit of the aircraft from the safety corridor.

Abstract: The system (1) comprises means (6) for determining a limit angle of climb corresponding to a climb angle of the aircraft for flying over the ground along an avoidance path and means (8) for displaying a characteristic sign representing said limit angle of climb on a display screen (9).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for determining the width of a safety corridor for an aircraft and to a method and system for securing the automatic low-altitude flight of an aircraft. The inventive device (1) comprises: means (3) which can be used by an operator in order to enter a plurality of errors which each have an impact on the automatic low-altitude flight of the aircraft; means (4) for determining an excursion probability of a safety corridor that is not to be crossed; and means (5) for determining the width of said safety corridor form the aforementioned errors and excursion probability, taking account of at least one mathematical expression linking at least the errors, the excursion probability and the width.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device (1) comprising first means (3) for determining a threshold value depending at least on one low altitude flight path, which is followed by an aircraft, as well as on navigation errors, for guiding and calculating the flight path, second means (4) for measuring the current real height of the aircraft above the overflown ground during a low altitude flight along the flight path, third means (5) for comparing said current real height to the threshold value, and fourth means (8) for emitting a warning signal, if the current real height drops to or below the threshold value, as well as optionally fifth means (10) for controlling the aircraft so as to increase its altitude and bring it to a secure altitude, when the current real height drops below or to the threshold value.

Abstract: A method of automatically guiding an aircraft for flight at low altitude determines an LLF (low level flight) trajectory section for following terrain to be overflown by the aircraft. The LLF trajectory section takes account of predictions of the aircraft's mass and speed and climb and descent performance. The LLF trajectory section includes an entry point and an exit point. The LLF trajectory section is integrated between a first trajectory part corresponding to a first phase of flight and a second trajectory part corresponding to a second phase of flight, by providing respectively first and second transition phases. The aircraft is automatically guided so that it successively captures, follows, and leaves the LLF trajectory section.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a device for constructing a low-altitude flight path to be followed by an aircraft. The device (1) comprises a database (3) containing a terrain profile concerning the terrain to be flown over by the aircraft, a set of data sources (5), first means (6) for determining a lateral trajectory of the flight path, and second means (7) for determining a vertical trajectory of the flight path, said second means (7) being formed to as to determine the vertical trajectory during the aircraft flight, successively as the flight proceeds, segment by segment, and comprising an element (14) for retrieving from the database (3) a profile section, and an element (15) for determining a vertical trajectory segment, using the retrieved profile section, based on the climb-out and let-down performances of the aircraft derived from said set (5) of data sources.

Abstract: Method and device for assisting in the piloting of an aircraft flying along a path with rectilinear segments. The device (1) comprises means (13) for determining characteristic angles, a characteristic angle representing the angle by which a rectilinear segment of the flight path is seen from the aircraft, and means (5) for displaying on a head-up screen (7), characteristic signs which are representative of said characteristic angles.

Abstract: A method to determine, and guide an aircraft on, an intermediate trajectory between a first trajectory, for low-altitude flight, and a second trajectory, from which a tactical landing is carried out, may include determining a point of transition which lies on the first trajectory. The point of transition represents the start of the intermediate trajectory and corresponds to the point where the aircraft must exit the first flight trajectory so as to reach an initial point of the second flight trajectory, under predetermined flight conditions. Upon determining the point of transition, the aircraft is guided along the intermediate trajectory interconnecting the point of transition and the initial point of the second trajectory.