Abstract: A system for providing obstacle alerts to an in-flight aircraft has been developed. The system includes a transceiver on board the vehicle that transmits performance parameters of the vehicle and a remotely located antenna that receives the performance parameters from the transceiver. Also included is a remotely located terrain database stores obstacle characteristics of terrestrial obstacles located in proximity to the vehicle. A remotely located computer system receives the performance parameters from the antenna and the obstacle characteristics in proximity to the vehicle from the terrain database. The computer system calculates a vehicle safety envelope based on the performance parameters and an obstacle safety envelope based on the obstacle characteristics. The computer system generates an obstacle alert for the vehicle if the vehicle safety envelope conflicts with the obstacle safety envelope.

Abstract: A method for providing obstacle alerts to an in-flight aircraft has been developed. First, parameters of an in-flight aircraft are transmitted to a ground based processor station. The station calculates an aircraft safety envelope based on these parameters. The station accesses the characteristics of obstacles stored in a terrain database and calculates an obstacle safety envelope. Finally, the station determines if the aircraft safety envelope conflicts with the obstacle safety envelope and generates an alert for the aircraft if a conflict exists.

Abstract: Methods of forming a polymeric nanocomposite are provided. The methods include combining one or more monomers to form a mixture and adding a plurality of carbon fibers to the mixture prior to or concurrently with formation of a polymer from the monomers. The methods can also include polymerizing the monomers to form the polymer and adding a hydrophobic agent and a plasticizer to the mixture to form the polymer nanocomposite.

Abstract: A method for providing obstacle alerts to an in-flight aircraft has been developed. First, parameters of an in-flight aircraft are transmitted to a ground based processor station. The station calculates an aircraft safety envelope based on these parameters. The station accesses the characteristics of obstacles stored in a terrain database and calculates an obstacle safety envelope. Finally, the station determines if the aircraft safety envelope conflicts with the obstacle safety envelope and generates an alert for the aircraft if a conflict exists.

Abstract: Methods of forming a polymeric nanocomposite are provided. The methods include combining one or more monomers to form a mixture and adding a plurality of carbon fibers to the mixture prior to or concurrently with formation of a polymer from the monomers. The methods can also include polymerizing the monomers to form the polymer and adding a hydrophobic agent and a plasticizer to the mixture to form the polymer nanocomposite.

Abstract: A system and related methods of displaying receiver autonomous integrity monitoring (RAIM) information on a display element of an aircraft are provided. The method obtains geographic position data for the aircraft, accesses lateral map data corresponding to the geographic position data, obtains RAIM outage data, and renders a dynamic lateral map on the display element. The map is rendered in accordance with the geographic position data, the lateral map data, and the RAIM outage data, and the map includes a graphical representation of a map and a graphical representation of a RAIM outage region.