Abstract: A system and method for implementing an autonomous distress tracking (ADT) triggering function is provided.

Abstract: A system comprises processing circuitry configured to receive position data from a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver and to receive a first vehicle height above terrain (HAT) from HAT circuitry. A lateral position and an altitude are derived from the position data. The processing circuitry is further configured to determine terrain elevation based upon the lateral position. The processing circuitry is further configured to determine a second vehicle height above terrain (HAT) based upon subtracting the determined terrain elevation from the altitude. The processing circuitry is further configured to detect GNSS spoofing based upon a difference between the first vehicle HAT and the second vehicle HAT; and upon detecting GNSS spoofing, issue an alert.

Abstract: A system comprises processing circuitry configured to receive position data from a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver and to receive a first vehicle height above terrain (HAT) from HAT circuitry. A lateral position and an altitude are derived from the position data. The processing circuitry is further configured to determine terrain elevation based upon the lateral position. The processing circuitry is further configured to determine a second vehicle height above terrain (HAT) based upon subtracting the determined terrain elevation from the altitude. The processing circuitry is further configured to detect GNSS spoofing based upon a difference between the first vehicle HAT and the second vehicle HAT; and upon detecting GNSS spoofing, issue an alert.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving sink rate alerting for rotary wing aircraft. In one example, the system includes a radio altimeter that produces an altitude value, a processor that is in signal communication with the user interface device and the radio altimeter. The processor receives an altitude value, a position value for the aircraft and landing zone (LZ) information. The processor determines if the aircraft is on an approach to land at an LZ that is raised above surrounding terrain based on the received position value and LZ information. The processor receives sink rate information for the aircraft and generates a sink rate alert based on the received sink rate information and the aircraft altitude value if the sink rate information is greater than a sink rate value adjusted according to the LZ information. An output device outputs the generated sink rate alert. The LZ information includes an altitude value.

Abstract: Systems and methods that alert the pilot of the unusual negative pitch attitude. Additionally, the system can bias a “sink rate” envelope toward a more sensitive direction, such that the pilot can be alerted while (or before) a large sink rate is built up during an unusual negative pitch attitude condition.

Abstract: Systems and methods to provide alerts when a rotorcraft is in a low airspeed condition. During takeoff or go-around, an aural alert is provided to the pilot before the aircraft slows to less than the effective translational lift speed. The aural, visual, and/or tactile alert gets the pilot's attention to manage the aircraft's airspeed before it is too late in this critical flight phase.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving sink rate alerting for rotary wing aircraft. In one example, the system includes a radio altimeter that produces an altitude value, a processor that is in signal communication with the user interface device and the radio altimeter. The processor receives an altitude value, a position value for the aircraft and landing zone (LZ) information. The processor determines if the aircraft is on an approach to land at an LZ that is raised above surrounding terrain based on the received position value and LZ information. The processor receives sink rate information for the aircraft and generates a sink rate alert based on the received sink rate information and the aircraft altitude value if the sink rate information is greater than a sink rate value adjusted according to the LZ information. An output device outputs the generated sink rate alert. The LZ information includes an altitude value.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing efficient, inexpensive data logging of aircraft sensor data. An example system on board an aircraft includes a plurality of data sources that provide sensor data associated with a plurality of avionic components, a line replaceable processing unit that is in signal communication with the plurality of data sources via one or more databuses, a wireless router connected to the line replaceable processing unit via a data cable and a portable data unit in wireless data communication with the wireless router. The wireless router receives at least a portion of the sensor data from the line replaceable processing unit and sends the received sensor data to the portable data unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing efficient, inexpensive data logging of aircraft sensor data. An example system on board an aircraft includes a plurality of data sources that provide sensor data associated with a plurality of avionic components, a line replaceable processing unit that is in signal communication with the plurality of data sources via one or more databuses, a wireless router connected to the line replaceable processing unit via a data cable and a portable data unit in wireless data communication with the wireless router. The wireless router receives at least a portion of the sensor data from the line replaceable processing unit and sends the received sensor data to the portable data unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving landing gear alerting on a rotary wing aircraft. An example system includes a user interface device that allows a user to set a bug altitude value and a radio altimeter that produces an altitude value, both of which are in communication with a processor. The processor receives a bug altitude setting, generates a landing gear alert altitude value based on the received bug altitude setting and a predefined additive, receives a radio altitude value for the rotary-wing aircraft, and generates a landing gear alert if the radio altitude value is less than the landing gear alert altitude value and the landing gear is not in a landing position. An output device in signal communication with the processor, outputs the generated landing gear alert.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving landing gear alerting on a rotary wing aircraft. An example system includes a user interface device that allows a user to set a bug altitude value and a radio altimeter that produces an altitude value, both of which are in communication with a processor. The processor receives a bug altitude setting, generates a landing gear alert altitude value based on the received bug altitude setting and a predefined additive, receives a radio altitude value for the rotary-wing aircraft, and generates a landing gear alert if the radio altitude value is less than the landing gear alert altitude value and the landing gear is not in a landing position. An output device in signal communication with the processor, outputs the generated landing gear alert.

Abstract: Systems and methods that alert the pilot of the unusual negative pitch attitude. Additionally, the system can bias a “sink rate” envelope toward a more sensitive direction, such that the pilot can be alerted while (or before) a large sink rate is built up during an unusual negative pitch attitude condition.

Abstract: The present invention provides ground proximity warning system and method for aircraft, particularly rotary wing aircraft such as helicopters. The warning system generally includes an air ground detection device disposed on the aircraft to confirm whether the aircraft is on the ground or in the air. A controller is coupled to the air ground detection device and configured to move between a ground state when the aircraft is on the ground and an airborne state when the aircraft is in the air. The controller may be used for a variety of applications within the aircraft, such as disabling a ground proximity warning device when the aircraft is on the ground and enabling the warning device when the aircraft is in the air. In addition, the air ground controller may be used to signal the beginning and the end of a flight for the aircraft's flight history fault memory.

Abstract: The present invention provides ground proximity warning system and method for aircraft, particularly rotary wing aircraft such as helicopters. The warning system generally includes an air ground detection device disposed on the aircraft to confirm whether the aircraft is on the ground or in the air. A controller is coupled to the air ground detection device and configured to move between a ground state when the aircraft is on the ground and an airborne state when the aircraft is in the air. The controller may be used for a variety of applications within the aircraft, such as disabling a ground proximity warning device when the aircraft is on the ground and enabling the warning device when the aircraft is in the air. In addition, the air ground controller may be used to signal the beginning and the end of a flight for the aircraft's flight history fault memory.

Abstract: The present invention provides ground proximity warning system and method for aircraft, particularly rotary wing aircraft such as helicopters. The warning system generally includes a barometric altitude rate detector, such an altimeter and a rate circuit, disposed to detect the rate of change of the barometric altitude of the aircraft. A controller is coupled to the detector for receiving the barometric altitude rate signals and adjusting the signals based on the ground effect from the main rotors when the aircraft is near the ground. Typically, the controller decreases the barometric altitude rate signals to compensate for the apparent increase in barometric altitude rate caused by ground effects. This reduces the number of nuisance warnings that may otherwise occur during takeoffs, landings or other low altitude flight conditions.

Abstract: A warning system for aircraft equipped with an autopilot system having a radio altitude hold (R/A HOLD) function and/or a barometric altitude hold (ALTITUDE HOLD) function monitors the R/A HOLD and ALTITUDE HOLD function control switches, as well as the touch-controlled steering (TCS) control to determine when the functions have been engaged. When either of the R/A HOLD or ALTITUDE HOLD function control switches are selected while the autopilot system is engaged, the system samples the radio altitude or barometric altitude at the moment that the R/A HOLD or ALTITUDE HOLD functions are selected and stores the sample as a reference or datum. The system then compares the current radio altitude or barometric altitude with the datum. Should the actual radio altitude or barometric altitude exceed the datum by a predetermined amount, a warning is generated. In order to prevent spurious warnings, the system is disabled when the touch-control steering is active.

Abstract: A warning system provides a warning to the pilot of an aircraft during a take-off mode of flight of a relatively dangerous flight condition, such as improper configuration of the flaps during a take-off mode of flight prior to the aircraft becoming airborne. In order to avoid nuisance warnings, the warning system is disabled once the aircraft becomes airborne. The warning system monitors the flap position of the aircraft as well as the airspeed and provides a warning when the flaps are improperly configured during a take-off mode of flight. Different aural warnings are provided as a function of the airspeed of the aircraft.

Abstract: A terrain clearance signal generator particularly usable with ground proximity warning systems provides a signal representative of terrain clearance when the radio altimeter signal is unreliable, such as in the case of excessive pitch or roll, out of track or other conditions resulting in invalid readings. The system monitors such conditions and takes a sample of the last valid radio altitude reading prior to sensing an invalid condition and, upon sensing an invalid condition, updates the sample utilizing barometric altitude signals or integrated barometric altitude rate or inertially-derived Z-velocity signals.