Abstract: A method and system for determining and displaying a turn to a heading entry for an aircraft has been developed. First, a preliminary heading selection and a preliminary turn direction are entered into an automated flight control system (AFCS) for an aircraft. The preliminary heading selection and the preliminary turn direction are displayed to a pilot of the aircraft. A subsequent heading selection is entered into the AFCS while the aircraft is engaged in turning to the preliminary heading selection in the preliminary turn direction. A shortest turn radius to the subsequent heading selection is determined. A determination is made if the shortest turn radius to the subsequent heading selection is the same direction and the preliminary turn direction and a notice is displayed to the pilot of the aircraft is the shortest turn radius to the subsequent heading selection is not the same direction and the preliminary turn direction.

Abstract: Flight deck display systems and methods for generating cockpit displays including dynamic taxi turnoff icons are provided. In one embodiment, the flight deck display system includes a display device, a memory storing an airport map database, and a controller operably coupled to the display device and to the memory. The controller is configured to recall information from the airport map database pertaining to a runway cleared for usage by the aircraft. The controller further identifies a taxi exit along the runway based, at least in part, on the information recalled from the airport map database. The controller then generates a dynamic taxi turnoff icon on the display device including symbology representative of the runway and the location of the taxi exit along the runway.

Abstract: An aircraft flight control system and method are provided. The system provides a control module that receives inertial data, sensor data, and a target airspeed. The control module processes the received data with aircraft thrust and drag models to evaluate the aircraft energy state. Based on the aircraft energy state, the control module determines (i) a maximum predicted potential flight path “max PPFP”, defined by a maximum thrust at the target airspeed, and (ii) an idle predicted potential flight path, “idle PPFP,” defined by an idle thrust at the target airspeed. The control module generates display commands for a display system to display (i) the flight path angle, (ii) the max PPFP and (iii) the idle PPFP. In addition, the control module generates and displays a predicted flight path speed indicator (PFPS) when the FPA is above the max PPFP or below the idle PPFP.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating an alert for an aircraft potentially exceeding speed limits in airspace with speed limitations. The method comprises retrieving a flight plan for the aircraft and identifying airspace with speed limitations along the flight plan. A speed profile is generated based on the in-flight aircraft's current position, speed and trajectory. Any predicted speed violations are identified by comparing the speed profile with the airspace with speed limitations along the flight plan. A predictive time window is calculated that allows for the in-flight aircraft to decelerate sufficiently to comply with the speed limits of the airspace with speed limitations. The predictive time window includes a zone for the aircraft to reduce its airspeed and a reaction buffer zone to allow the aircrew sufficient time to comply with instructions to decelerate the aircraft. Finally, an alert is generated for the crew of the in-flight aircraft upon entering the predictive time window.

Abstract: A practice airspace management system includes a control unit configured to receive user inputs from a first user and to generate a first training plan based on the user inputs. The control unit is further configured to generate display commands representing the first training plan on a navigation map. The practice airspace management system further includes a display device coupled to receive the display commands from the control unit and configured to display a navigation map view that includes the navigation map and a first training plan symbol representing the first training plan on the navigation map.

Abstract: An aircraft flight control system and method are provided. The system provides a control module that receives inertial data, sensor data, and a target airspeed. The control module processes the received data with aircraft thrust and drag models to evaluate the aircraft energy state. Based on the aircraft energy state, the control module determines (i) a maximum predicted potential flight path “max PPFP”, defined by a maximum thrust at the target airspeed, and (ii) an idle predicted potential flight path, “idle PPFP,” defined by an idle thrust at the target airspeed. The control module generates display commands for a display system to display (i) the flight path angle, (ii) the max PPFP and (iii) the idle PPFP. In addition, the control module generates and displays a predicted flight path speed indicator (PFPS) when the FPA is above the max PPFP or below the idle PPFP.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating an alert for an aircraft potentially exceeding speed limits in airspace with speed limitations. The method comprises retrieving a flight plan for the aircraft and identifying airspace with speed limitations along the flight plan. A speed profile is generated based on the in-flight aircraft's current position, speed and trajectory. Any predicted speed violations are identified by comparing the speed profile with the airspace with speed limitations along the flight plan. A predictive time window is calculated that allows for the in-flight aircraft to decelerate sufficiently to comply with the speed limits of the airspace with speed limitations. The predictive time window includes a zone for the aircraft to reduce its airspeed and a reaction buffer zone to allow the aircrew sufficient time to comply with instructions to decelerate the aircraft. Finally, an alert is generated for the crew of the in-flight aircraft upon entering the predictive time window.

Abstract: A practice airspace management system includes a control unit configured to receive user inputs from a first user and to generate a first training plan based on the user inputs. The control unit is further configured to generate display commands representing the first training plan on a navigation map. The practice airspace management system further includes a display device coupled to receive the display commands from the control unit and configured to display a navigation map view that includes the navigation map and a first training plan symbol representing the first training plan on the navigation map.

Abstract: An aircraft flight control system and method are provided. The system provides a control module that receives inertial data, sensor data, and a target airspeed. The control module processes the received data with aircraft thrust and drag models to evaluate the aircraft energy state. Based on the aircraft energy state, the control module determines (i) a maximum predicted potential flight path “max PPFP”, defined by a maximum thrust at the target airspeed, and (ii) an idle predicted potential flight path, “idle PPFP,” defined by an idle thrust at the target airspeed. The control module generates display commands for a display system to display (i) the flight path angle, (ii) the max PPFP and (iii) the idle PPFP. In addition, the control module generates and displays a predicted flight path speed indicator (PFPS) when the FPA is above the max PPFP or below the idle PPFP.

Abstract: A wearable device to be worn by an operator of an aircraft includes a communication unit configured to receive aircraft parameters from an aircraft system. The wearable device further includes a database configured to store adverse control rules that define at least a first adverse control associated with a first aircraft state. The wearable device further includes a first sensor to collect data associated with movement and/or location of the wearable device. The wearable device includes a processing unit configured to identify the first aircraft state based on the aircraft parameters, evaluate operator intent based on the movement and/or location of the wearable device, and initiate a first alert when the operator intent corresponds to the first adverse control during the first aircraft state. The wearable device includes a haptic unit configured to communicate the first alert to the operator.

Abstract: A wearable device to be worn by an operator of an aircraft includes a communication unit configured to receive aircraft parameters from an aircraft system. The wearable device further includes a database configured to store adverse control rules that define at least a first adverse control associated with a first aircraft state. The wearable device further includes a first sensor to collect data associated with movement and/or location of the wearable device. The wearable device includes a processing unit configured to identify the first aircraft state based on the aircraft parameters, evaluate operator intent based on the movement and/or location of the wearable device, and initiate a first alert when the operator intent corresponds to the first adverse control during the first aircraft state. The wearable device includes a haptic unit configured to communicate the first alert to the operator.

Abstract: Flight deck display systems and methods for generating cockpit displays including dynamic taxi turnoff icons are provided. In one embodiment, the flight deck display system includes a display device, a memory storing an airport map database, and a controller operably coupled to the display device and to the memory. The controller is configured to recall information from the airport map database pertaining to a runway cleared for usage by the aircraft. The controller further identifies a taxi exit along the runway based, at least in part, on the information recalled from the airport map database. The controller then generates a dynamic taxi turnoff icon on the display device including symbology representative of the runway and the location of the taxi exit along the runway.

Abstract: A touchscreen device is configured to display a number of user interface elements in accordance with a menu hierarchy. Upon receipt of a predetermined touchscreen gesture (e.g., the circular motion of a manipulator) the menu hierarchy is bypassed and the user is given immediate control over a selected function, for example, a tuning function such as audio volume, screen contrast, and the like.

Abstract: A system and method for validating data entry in response to an instruction received in an aircraft cockpit includes receiving, in an aircraft cockpit, an instruction that requires an aircraft pilot to manually enter a target value into an avionics system using an avionics system user interface. The received instruction is processed to determine the target value that should be set by the aircraft pilot using the avionics system user interface. Haptic feedback is to the avionics system user interface during the manual entry by the aircraft pilot.

Abstract: A system and method for validating data entry in response to an instruction received in an aircraft cockpit includes receiving, in an aircraft cockpit, an instruction that requires an aircraft pilot to manually enter a target value into an avionics system using an avionics system user interface. The received instruction is processed to determine the target value that should be set by the aircraft pilot using the avionics system user interface. Haptic feedback is to the avionics system user interface during the manual entry by the aircraft pilot.