Abstract: A method for transferring electronic chart data during aerial vehicle operations to an avionics system is disclosed. The method includes: receiving an electronic chart file for an electronic chart; identifying a plurality of data elements in the electronic chart that contain information content for flight crew entry into avionics systems; translating each identified data element into a control element having one or more values that an avionics system will understand; associating at least one control element with an avionics system; displaying the electronic chart with the control elements; displaying a data entry graphical element, responsive to user selection of the at least one control element; and transferring avionics information from the selected control element to an avionics system associated with the control element responsive to selection of at least one selectable graphical element to change a state of an avionics system associated with at least one control element.

Abstract: Systems and methods enabling user control over use of aircraft sensors located onboard an aircraft. The method receives sensor signals comprising any combination of ADS signals, IRS signals and a third RA signals, and GPS signals; comparing sensor data values in the sensor signals to each other and to respective acceptable thresholds and critical thresholds that are preprogrammed; grouping avionic systems on-board the aircraft into subgroups having a same sensor reliance; presenting a graphical user interface (GUI) page on the display system, the GUI page identifying a sensor subgroup, the aircraft sensors of the respective sensor subgroup, and respective critical sensor parameters and associated critical sensor parameter data; visually distinguishing an critical sensor parameter data that exceeds the respective acceptable threshold or exceeds the respective critical threshold; and, accepting user deselections of aircraft sensors via the GUI page.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for assisting operation of a vehicle by automatically initiating activation of an automated functionality, such as autoland functionality of an aircraft, in the absence of user input within one or more monitoring periods. One method involves identifying a triggering event, identifying a monitoring period associated with the triggering event, monitoring one or more components for user input within the monitoring period associated with the triggering event, and automatically initiating activation of an automated functionality associated with the vehicle in the absence of user input within the monitoring period associated with the triggering event. In some implementations, the monitoring period adaptively and dynamically varies during operation.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided including a flight guidance controller interface. The flight guidance controller interface includes a rotatable knob including a rotatable element disposed around a periphery of a touch control display. A graphical presentation is output on the touch control display including a plurality of sections. The plurality of sections includes an indication of respective functions of an automatic flight control system. A touch input is received to one of the plurality of sections, thereby activating control of a corresponding one of the respective functions of the automatic flight control system. A rotation input to the rotatable element is received, thereby providing information about a value for the corresponding one of the respective functions of the automatic flight control system.

Abstract: A method for transferring electronic chart data during aerial vehicle operations to an avionics system is disclosed. The method includes: receiving an electronic chart file for an electronic chart; identifying a plurality of data elements in the electronic chart that contain information content for flight crew entry into avionics systems; translating each identified data element into a control element having one or more values that an avionics system will understand; associating at least one control element with an avionics system; displaying the electronic chart with the control elements; displaying a data entry graphical element, responsive to user selection of the at least one control element; and transferring avionics information from the selected control element to an avionics system associated with the control element responsive to selection of at least one selectable graphical element to change a state of an avionics system associated with at least one control element.

Abstract: Methods and systems for calibrating aircraft position by providing touch-enabled selection of onboard sensors on an aircraft. The method includes receiving sensor map location information for onboard sensors including N position computers, a global positioning system (GPS) sensor, an inertial reference system (IRS) sensor, and a radio navigation (NAV) sensor; receiving sensor data from the onboard sensors, and configuring a user interface layout for the touch display unit presenting the onboard sensors using symbols at respective locations. Embodiments depict the sensors with intuitive symbols and provide a terrain layout in the background. The method includes interpreting a touch input from the touch-enabled display unit to select a position computer and an onboard sensor, and to calibrate the selected position computer with the selected onboard sensor and update the user interface layout to reflect the calibration, responsive to the touch input.

Abstract: A synthetic radio altimeter system is provided. At least one sensor is used to generate sensor data that is used at least to determine a then current vehicle location. At least one controller is configured to determine an elevation of terrain under a vehicle based on the determined then current location of the vehicle and terrain information in the terrain database. The at least one controller is further configured to determine a height of the vehicle above terrain based at least in part on the determined elevation of terrain under the vehicle and the sensor data. The at least one controller further configured to augment the determined height of the vehicle above terrain with at least in part navigation database information when the vehicle is near one of a travel path origin and a travel path destination. The height above terrain may also be augmented based on a navigation radio.

Abstract: Methods and systems for calibrating aircraft position by providing touch-enabled selection of onboard sensors on an aircraft. The method includes receiving sensor map location information for onboard sensors including N position computers, a global positioning system (GPS) sensor, an inertial reference system (IRS) sensor, and a radio navigation (NAV) sensor; receiving sensor data from the onboard sensors, and configuring a user interface layout for the touch display unit presenting the onboard sensors using symbols at respective locations. Embodiments depict the sensors with intuitive symbols and provide a terrain layout in the background. The method includes interpreting a touch input from the touch-enabled display unit to select a position computer and an onboard sensor, and to calibrate the selected position computer with the selected onboard sensor and update the user interface layout to reflect the calibration, responsive to the touch input.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided including a flight guidance controller interface. The flight guidance controller interface includes a rotatable knob including a rotatable element disposed around a periphery of a touch control display. A graphical presentation is output on the touch control display including a plurality of sections. The plurality of sections includes an indication of respective functions of an automatic flight control system. A touch input is received to one of the plurality of sections, thereby activating control of a corresponding one of the respective functions of the automatic flight control system. A rotation input to the rotatable element is received, thereby providing information about a value for the corresponding one of the respective functions of the automatic flight control system.