Abstract: Methods and devices for optimizing the climb of an aircraft or drone are provided. After an optimal continuous climb strategy has been determined, a lateral path is determined, in particular in terms of speeds and turn radii, based on vertical predictions computed in the previous step. Subsequently, computation results are displayed on one or more human-machine interfaces and the climb strategy is actually flown. Embodiments describe the use of altitude and speed constraints and/or settings in respect of speed and/or thrust and/or level-flight avoidance and/or gradient-variation minimization, and iteratively fitting parameters in order to make the profile of the current path coincide with the constrained profile in real time depending on the selected flight dynamics (e.g. energy sharing, constraint on climb gradient, constraint on the vertical climb rate). System (e.g. FMS) and software aspects are described.

Abstract: An approach assistance method includes: an initial calculation step for calculating a reference path and the application of a stabilization test for determining whether the reference path makes the landing possible; modification steps implemented in a sequence and applying predefined modification rules and applying the stabilization test after each modification; and a transmitting step including transmitting the reference path to the human pilot, to an autopilot and/or to a traffic management system as soon as the reference path passes the stabilization test.

Abstract: Methods and devices for optimizing the climb of an aircraft or drone are provided. After an optimal continuous climb strategy has been determined, a lateral path is determined, in particular in terms of speeds and turn radii, based on vertical predictions computed in the previous step. Subsequently, computation results are displayed on one or more human-machine interfaces and the climb strategy is actually flown. Embodiments describe the use of altitude and speed constraints and/or settings in respect of speed and/or thrust and/or level-flight avoidance and/or gradient-variation minimization, and iteratively fitting parameters in order to make the profile of the current path coincide with the constrained profile in real time depending on the selected flight dynamics (e.g. energy sharing, constraint on climb gradient, constraint on the vertical climb rate). System (e.g. FMS) and software aspects are described.

Abstract: This method for determining a flight distance over a discontinuity segment comprises the steps of determining an altitude of entry to said trajectory portion and an altitude of exit from said trajectory portion, discretization of an altitude interval delimited by the altitude of entry and the altitude of exit into a plurality of elementary intervals, each elementary interval being defined using an elementary step and, for each elementary interval, determining an elementary slope of the aircraft. This method further comprises a step of determining the flight distance over the discontinuity segment as a function of a direct distance between the framing segments, the elementary slopes, the elementary steps and the total extent of said trajectory portion.

Abstract: This method comprises a step of determining a reference profile along a lateral trajectory precalculated comprising searching, in the precalculated lateral trajectory, at least one segment of discontinuity comprising a lateral discontinuity, determining a required distance corresponding to a minimum flight distance between the two segments bordering the discontinuity segment and integrating each required distance into the reference profile. This method further comprises a step of determining, on the basis of the reference profile, vertical predictions relating to a vertical trajectory of the aircraft and a step of determining, on the basis of the vertical predictions, a resulting lateral trajectory comprising, for each discontinuity segment, determining a substitution segment connecting the two corresponding bordering segments in a continuous manner.

Abstract: A method is described that is implemented by computer for optimizing the vertical descent profile of an aircraft, the vertical profile being broken down into an altitude profile and a speed profile. One or more altitudes of passage can be determined by minimizing the overall deviation between the speed profile and one or more speed constraints previously received. The optimized descent profile can comprise one or more of these altitudes of passage. Different developments are described, in particular embodiments in which an optimized altitude of passage minimizes the engine thrust, the descent profile is of OPEN IDLE, FPA or VS type, the optimized descent profile is determined backward, a speed constraint is of AT or AT OR ABOVE type, and the use of the airbrakes. Display modalities are described, as are system and software aspects.

Abstract: An aid method for controlling the energy situation of an aircraft. The method includes determining (i) an energy meeting point corresponding to a constraint point, (ii) a meeting type based on the constraint at the constraint point, (iii) an energy state of the aircraft relative to a reference altitude profile determined by a flight management system, (iv) a high-energy joining profile representative of a future path of the aircraft with an energy dissipation strategy, and (v) energy deviations relative to the high-energy joining profile. Determining the high energy joining profile is carried out backwards depending on the type of meeting and the energy state of the aircraft. The energy deviations are displayed to an operator of the aircraft.

Abstract: A method implemented by computer for the management of the descent of an aircraft, comprises the steps of: receiving a descent profile; determining a search band comprising a plurality of flight segments of the profile; and selecting a flight segment in the search band. Various selection criteria are described, in particular the consideration of the commands of pitch-up and/or separation with respect to the active segment (anticipation distance). Other developments comprise the fact that the search band is configurable, the consideration of the load factor, modalities of tangent capture (trajectory with no segment crossing), compliance with altitude constraints, the determination of capture parabola modeling the trajectory, as well as the activation of the segment selected as control reference. System aspects and software aspects are described.

Abstract: This aid method for controlling the energy situation of an aircraft includes steps for determining (120) an energy meeting point corresponding to a constraint point, determining (130) a meeting type based on the constraint at the constraint point, determining (140) an energy state of the aircraft relative to a reference altitude profile determined by a flight management system, determining (150) a high-energy joining profile representative of a future path of the aircraft with an energy dissipation strategy, the determination being carried out backwards depending on the type of meeting and the energy state of the aircraft, determining (160) energy deviations relative to the high-energy joining profile, and displaying (170) energy deviations.

Abstract: A method for adapting an aircraft constant-gradient descent segment comprises: an acquisition step in which state variables characterizing the aircraft, environment variables characterizing the environment thereof and path variables characterizing the predicted path thereof at one of the initial and final points of the segment are acquired; a calculation step whereby a limit ground gradient for at least one performance criterion is calculated from the state variables, environment variables and path variables; a validity verification step checking the validity of the path initially predicted against the most restrictive limit ground gradient; and when the path initially predicted is not valid: a feasibility verification step checking the feasibility of a command to modify at least one state variable; if feasibility is verified, a prediction of executing the command; otherwise, a prediction of modifying one of the initial and final points of the segment with respect to constraints of the flight plan.

Abstract: A method is described that is implemented by computer for optimizing the vertical descent profile of an aircraft, the vertical profile being broken down into an altitude profile and a speed profile. One or more altitudes of passage can be determined by minimizing the overall deviation between the speed profile and one or more speed constraints previously received. The optimized descent profile can comprise one or more of these altitudes of passage. Different developments are described, in particular embodiments in which an optimized altitude of passage minimizes the engine thrust, the descent profile is of OPEN IDLE, FPA or VS type, the optimized descent profile is determined backward, a speed constraint is of AT or AT OR ABOVE type, and the use of the airbrakes. Display modalities are described, as are system and software aspects.

Abstract: A method implemented by computer for the management of the descent of an aircraft, comprises the steps of: receiving a descent profile; determining a search band comprising a plurality of flight segments of the profile; and selecting a flight segment in the search band. Various selection criteria are described, in particular the consideration of the commands of pitch-up and/or separation with respect to the active segment (anticipation distance). Other developments comprise the fact that the search band is configurable, the consideration of the load factor, modalities of tangent capture (trajectory with no segment crossing), compliance with altitude constraints, the determination of capture parabola modeling the trajectory, as well as the activation of the segment selected as control reference. System aspects and software aspects are described.

Abstract: A method of automatic determination of a descent and approach profile for an aircraft is based on a backward computation of propagation of a state of the aircraft along segments S(i) from a backward computation start point to the start point DECEL of onset of the deceleration of the aircraft. The method of automatic determination comprises for each segment S(i) a step of determining an optimal speed VOPT(i) of the aircraft over the range of speeds of the next aerodynamic configuration C(j+1) to be implemented as a function of a predetermined deceleration strategy and/or of predetermined constraints inherent in the flight procedure or introduced by the pilot in his flight plan.

Abstract: A method of automatic determination of a descent and approach profile for an aircraft is based on a backward computation of propagation of a state of the aircraft along segments S(i) from a backward computation start point to the start point DECEL of onset of the deceleration of the aircraft. The method of automatic determination comprises for each segment S(i) a step of determining an optimal speed VOPT(i) of the aircraft over the range of speeds of the next aerodynamic configuration C(j+1) to be implemented as a function of a predetermined deceleration strategy and/or of predetermined constraints inherent in the flight procedure or introduced by the pilot in his flight plan.

Abstract: A method for adapting an aircraft constant-gradient descent segment comprises: an acquisition step in which state variables characterizing the aircraft, environment variables characterizing the environment thereof and path variables characterizing the predicted path thereof at one of the initial and final points of the segment are acquired; a calculation step whereby a limit ground gradient for at least one performance criterion is calculated from the state variables, environment variables and path variables; a validity verification step checking the validity of the path initially predicted against the most restrictive limit ground gradient; and when the path initially predicted is not valid: a feasibility verification step checking the feasibility of a command to modify at least one state variable; if feasibility is verified, a prediction of executing the command; otherwise, a prediction of modifying one of the initial and final points of the segment with respect to constraints of the flight plan.

Abstract: A method for aiding navigation for an aircraft between a descent start point and a computation end point, comprises the computation steps of: collecting a flight plan consisting of a succession of waypoints and of the associated vertical constraints; determining a corridor consisting of a floor trajectory and of a ceiling trajectory defining the minimum and maximum altitudes permitted to the aircraft; splitting the corridor into several cells defined between two waypoints furthest apart and between which the ceiling trajectory is distinct from the floor trajectory; determining for at least one cell a vertical trajectory complying with the altitude constraints and comprising the longest possible IDLE segment; and a step consisting in determining and displaying maneuvering points of the aircraft making it possible to follow the target vertical trajectory.

Abstract: A method implemented by computer for optimizing the cruising trajectory of an aircraft comprises the steps consisting in receiving the parameters of a reference trajectory, the trajectory comprising one or more plateaus and the transitions between these plateaus, the transitions being ascending or descending; and determining, in response to a request received in the course of the flight, at least one candidate alternative trajectory; and determining one or more indicators associated with the candidate alternative trajectory such as determined. Developments comprise the optional display of at least one indicator, indicators associated with the fuel consumption, with a difference in flight time or with the operational cost of the flight of the aircraft, the use of ratios of indicators, the inhibition of descending transitions, particular plateau length transitions as well as economical modes of transition. System aspects are described, comprising avionic or non-avionic means.

Abstract: A method is provided for managing the flight of an aircraft flying a trajectory calculated by a flight management system. The trajectory necessitates at least one transition between two different aerodynamic configurations of the aircraft. The method comprises: extraction of performance data of the aircraft from a database, at least one item of performance data being a function of an aerodynamic configuration, selection between a first determination step and a second determination step, a step of determination of a start point and of an end point of the transition between two aerodynamic configurations and engine speeds of an aircraft during a flight, the determination step being implemented by the flight management system and chosen from among the first and second determination steps, the determination step calculating the trajectory by numerical integration of the equations representative of the dynamics of the aircraft making use of the performance data of the aircraft.

Abstract: A method for aiding navigation for an aircraft between a descent start point and a computation end point, comprises the computation steps of: collecting a flight plan consisting of a succession of waypoints and of the associated vertical constraints; determining a corridor consisting of a floor trajectory and of a ceiling trajectory defining the minimum and maximum altitudes permitted to the aircraft; splitting the corridor into several cells defined between two waypoints furthest apart and between which the ceiling trajectory is distinct from the floor trajectory; determining for at least one cell a vertical trajectory complying with the altitude constraints and comprising the longest possible IDLE segment; and a step consisting in determining and displaying maneuvering points of the aircraft making it possible to follow the target vertical trajectory.

Abstract: A method is provided for managing the flight of an aircraft flying a trajectory calculated by a flight management system. The trajectory necessitates at least one transition between two different aerodynamic configurations of the aircraft. The method comprises: extraction of performance data of the aircraft from a database, at least one item of performance data being a function of an aerodynamic configuration, selection between a first determination step and a second determination step, a step of determination of a start point and of an end point of the transition between two aerodynamic configurations and engine speeds of an aircraft during a flight, the determination step being implemented by the flight management system and chosen from among the first and second determination steps, the determination step calculating the trajectory by numerical integration of the equations representative of the dynamics of the aircraft making use of the performance data of the aircraft.