Abstract: A method for improving both drive system performance and energy efficiency performance both in an aircraft equipped with one or more drive wheel drive systems to move the aircraft autonomously on the ground is provided and in an aircraft that relies on its engines for ground movement. Achieving these objectives takes advantage of a discovered relationship between aircraft tyre pressure, drive system performance, and energy efficiency. Monitoring and maintaining tyre inflation pressure of an aircraft's tyres at an inflation level near a high end or recommended maximum cold or hot operating pressure for a specific kind of aircraft tyre on a specific aircraft not only improves drive wheel drive system performance, but also substantially and significantly improves energy efficiency in all types of aircraft.

Abstract: A training system and method for operating aircraft equipped with non-engine drive means during independent ground travel is provided. The system and method of the present invention is designed specifically to train pilots, ground personnel, and air traffic control to move an aircraft safely and efficiently on the ground during taxi and pushback using the aircraft's non-engine drive means to propel the aircraft independently during ground travel. Simulations and procedures for training pilots and ramp personnel in the conduct of pushback operations and forward taxi with an aircraft equipped with non-engine drive means are also provided.

Abstract: An improved aircraft gate parking and servicing method is provided, wherein an aircraft is maneuvered into an airport terminal gate and parked in an optimum orientation at an angle that facilitates maximum access to aircraft front and rear doors. Boarding bridges are designed to facilitate connection to doors located rear of an aircraft wing without extending over the aircraft wing to maximize efficiency of passenger transfer. Passenger transfer and servicing of the aircraft may occur concurrently before the aircraft is maneuvered out of its optimum orientation in the parking space and driven to a takeoff runway for departure. Required safety margins are maintained at all times during aircraft maneuvers into and out of the optimum parking orientation. Stairs may be provided to simultaneously access aircraft doors not connected to boarding bridges. In a preferred embodiment, aircraft are moved to an optimum parking location by engines-off electric taxi systems.

Abstract: An orchestrator executes an end-to-end process across applications. The executing of the end-to-end process by the orchestrator comprises executing flow logic by the orchestrator, the flow logic according to a data model defining arguments to include in interactions between the orchestrator and each of the applications. A message broker exchanges information among the orchestrator and the applications.

Abstract: An orchestrator executes an end-to-end process across applications. The executing of the end-to-end process by the orchestrator comprises executing flow logic by the orchestrator, the flow logic according to a data model defining arguments to include in interactions between the orchestrator and each of the applications. A message broker exchanges information among the orchestrator and the applications.

Abstract: A traction control system and method are provided for an aircraft equipped with a ground travel drive system with drive wheels powered by onboard wheel drive means that are capable of translating torque through the aircraft drive wheels and that are automatically controllable to control traction without reliance on the aircraft's brakes to keep the aircraft moving efficiently and autonomously on the ground under a range of environmental conditions.

Abstract: An orchestrator executes an end-to-end process across applications. An message broker exchanges information among the orchestrator and the processes of the applications. Adapters perform protocol and interface translations for information communicated between the message broker and the respective applications.

Abstract: An improved aircraft gate parking and servicing method is provided, wherein an aircraft is maneuvered into an airport terminal gate and parked in an optimum orientation at an angle that facilitates maximum access to aircraft front and rear doors. Boarding bridges are designed to facilitate connection to doors located rear of an aircraft wing without extending over the aircraft wing to maximize efficiency of passenger transfer. Passenger transfer and servicing of the aircraft may occur concurrently before the aircraft is maneuvered out of its optimum orientation in the parking space and driven to a takeoff runway for departure. Required safety margins are maintained at all times during aircraft maneuvers into and out of the optimum parking orientation. Stairs may be provided to simultaneously access aircraft doors not connected to boarding bridges. In a preferred embodiment, aircraft are moved to an optimum parking location by engines-off electric taxi systems.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for improving efficiency of aircraft gate services and reducing time spent by an aircraft parked parallel to an airport terminal wherein aircraft utilities and gate services provided during turnaround are supported by an arrangement of flexibly movable, service and utility-carrying extendable passenger boarding bridges that enable passenger and baggage exchange concurrently with connection of utilities and provision of gate services to the aircraft. Baggage transfer is facilitated by conveyors mounted on one or more loading bridges and designed to provide a direct connection between an aircraft and a terminal. Aircraft are maneuvered by a pilot into and out of a parallel parking location in a forward direction by an engines-off electric taxi system, enabling loading bridge, utility, and service connections to be made to multiple aircraft doors as soon as the aircraft reaches a parking location and then quickly disconnected upon departure.

Abstract: A system is provided for maximizing efficient ground travel in wide-body and other aircraft equipped with onboard non-engine drive means for autonomous ground travel. Selective operation of the non-engine drive means and selective operation of the aircraft's engines are integrated to power aircraft movement when different ground travel speeds are required between landing and takeoff, optimizing savings and maximizing the cost/benefit ratio for equipping the aircraft with a non-engine drive means. The non-engine drive means may be designed to move a wide-body aircraft at low speeds required for ground maneuvers in a ramp area to move the aircraft at speeds typically used for pushback, initial forward roll, all start-stop situations, and other low speed ground travel. One or more of the aircraft's engines may be operated to move the aircraft at higher taxi speeds.

Abstract: A traction control system and method are provided for an aircraft equipped with a ground travel drive system with drive wheels powered by onboard wheel drive means that are capable of translating torque through the aircraft drive wheels and that are automatically controllable to control traction without reliance on the aircraft's brakes to keep the aircraft moving efficiently and autonomously on the ground under a range of environmental conditions.

Abstract: A method of migrating artifacts between service-oriented architecture repositories is provided herein. The method includes receiving a request to export an artifact from a first repository. The artifact comprises metadata associated with a service-oriented architecture. Additionally, the method includes retrieving data from one or more aggregated relationships of the artifact. The method also includes packaging the retrieved data into a data store comprising the selected data.

Abstract: A permanent wireless onboard to ground operations communications system is provided for an aircraft equipped with a pilot-controllable drive wheel drive system for autonomous ground movement without reliance on the aircraft's engines or external tow vehicles, including an onboard wireless communications link installed to remain permanently with the aircraft designed to interface wirelessly with ground personnel at any airport, aerodrome, or airfield where the aircraft lands immediately upon landing. The permanent wireless onboard to ground operations communications system provides a substantially instantaneous connection between a pilot and ground personnel to facilitate guidance of pilot-controlled autonomous ground movement during taxi, parking in nose-in and parallel orientations, and pushback without reliance on visual signals.

Abstract: A system (100) includes an application model (140) to characterize a given application (110) for deployment on a cloud (130). A deployment manager (120) analyzes an application requirement for the given application (110) based on the application model (140) and policies (150) associated with the given application (110) to substantially match infrastructure resources (160) in the cloud (130) to fulfill the application requirement. A versioning manager (164) tracks changes in the given application (110) during a service lifecycle of the given application (110) and updates the application model (140) or the policies (150) in accordance with the changes.

Abstract: A method for accelerated power push back of an aircraft equipped with a pilot-controlled engines-off taxi system that drives the aircraft without reliance on the aircraft's main engines or tugs is provided. An aircraft is quickly and efficiently moved out of a gate where it is positioned in a nose-in orientation. The pilot controls the taxi system to drive the aircraft in reverse along a perpendicular path away from the terminal to a location where there is sufficient space for the aircraft to stop and turn, and the aircraft is turned and driven in a forward direction to a takeoff runway. Pilot reliance on ground personnel guidance during push back maneuvers is minimized by providing a monitoring system designed to monitor gate and ramp areas around the aircraft in any visibility or environmental conditions and provide feedback to the pilot.

Abstract: A method for monitoring an autonomous accelerated pushback process in an aircraft equipped with an engines-off taxi system is provided to maximize safety and facilitate the accelerated pushback process. The aircraft is equipped with a monitoring system including a number of different kinds of sensors and monitoring devices positioned to maximally monitor the aircraft's exterior ground environment and communicate the presence or absence of obstructions in the aircraft's path while the pilot is controlling the engines-off taxi system to drive the aircraft in reverse away from a terminal gate and then turn in place at a selected location before driving forward to a taxiway. The sensors and monitoring devices may be a combination of cameras, ultrasound, global positioning, radar, and LiDAR or LADAR devices, and proximity sensors located at varying heights adapted to continuously or intermittently scan or sweep the aircraft exterior and ground environment during aircraft ground movement.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for improving efficiency of aircraft gate services and reducing time spent by an aircraft parked parallel to an airport terminal wherein aircraft utilities and gate services provided during turnaround are supported by an arrangement of flexibly movable, service and utility-carrying extendable passenger boarding bridges that enable passenger and baggage exchange concurrently with connection of utilities and provision of gate services to the aircraft. Aircraft are maneuvered by a pilot into and out of a parallel parking location in a forward direction by an engines-off electric taxi system that does not rely on the use of aircraft main engines to drive the aircraft, enabling loading bridge, utility, and service connections to be made to multiple aircraft doors as soon as the aircraft arrives at a parking space and then quickly disconnected upon departure.

Abstract: An orchestrator executes an end-to-end process across applications. An message broker exchanges information among the orchestrator and the processes of the applications. Adapters perform protocol and interface translations for information communicated between the message broker and the respective applications.

Abstract: Catalogs that describe respective offerings for fulfillment by respective applications, are aggregated to form an aggregate catalog. A request relating to at least one of the offerings is received based on content presented from the aggregate catalog. In response to the request, an orchestrated execution of an end-to-end process is performed to fulfill the request relating to the at least one offering, the executing of the end-to-end process comprising calling at least one of the applications.

Abstract: A method for improving airport and ramp throughput is provided. The method minimizes the time interval between an aircraft's landing and takeoff by independently moving the aircraft with an onboard electric driver that drives at least one of the aircraft's wheels on the ground without the aircraft's engines. Turnaround time and aircraft idle time are reduced by eliminating engine operation while the aircraft is moving in the ramp area. The time between when an aircraft is not moving between pushback and taxi forward is substantially eliminated, leading to more efficient ramp operations as ramp space is freed for through traffic.