Abstract: Methods and systems for displaying assistance messages to aircraft operators are disclosed. A method in accordance with one embodiment includes receiving an input from an aircraft operator at an aircraft flight deck, comparing a characteristic of the input to at least one target value for the characteristic, and, if the characteristic of the input differs from the at least one target value for the characteristic by at least a threshold amount, displaying an assistance message to the aircraft operator. The assistance message can include a complying input and/or an instruction for creating a complying input. The input and the assistance message can be displayed simultaneously.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for displaying and receiving tactical and strategic flight guidance information are disclosed. A method in accordance with one aspect of the invention includes displaying at least one first indicator to an operator of the aircraft, with a first indicator corresponding to a first instruction input by the operator for directing a first aircraft behavior and implemented upon receiving an activation instruction from the operator. At least one second indicator corresponding to a second instruction for directing a second aircraft behavior at least proximately the same as the first aircraft behavior is displayed, with the at least one second instruction to be automatically implemented at a future time. The at least one second indicator is at least approximately the same as the at least one first indicator. Indicators can be hierarchically organized to simplify presentation and reduce pilot training time.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for displaying and receiving tactical and strategic flight guidance information are disclosed. A method in accordance with one aspect of the invention includes displaying at least one first indicator to an operator of the aircraft, with a first indicator corresponding to a first instruction input by the operator for directing a first aircraft behavior and implemented upon receiving an activation instruction from the operator. At least one second indicator corresponding to a second instruction for directing a second aircraft behavior at least proximately the same as the first aircraft behavior is displayed, with the at least one second instruction to be automatically implemented at a future time. The at least one second indicator is at least approximately the same as the at least one first indicator. Indicators can be hierarchically organized to simplify presentation and reduce pilot training time.

Abstract: Methods and systems for displaying assistance messages to aircraft operators are disclosed. A method in accordance with one embodiment includes receiving an input from an aircraft operator at an aircraft flight deck, comparing a characteristic of the input to at least one target value for the characteristic, and, if the characteristic of the input differs from the at least one target value for the characteristic by at least a threshold amount, displaying an assistance message to the aircraft operator. The assistance message can include a complying input and/or an instruction for creating a complying input. The input and the assistance message can be displayed simultaneously.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for displaying and receiving tactical and strategic flight guidance information are disclosed. A method in accordance with one aspect of the invention includes displaying at least one first indicator to an operator of the aircraft, with a first indicator corresponding to a first instruction input by the operator for directing a first aircraft behavior and implemented upon receiving an activation instruction from the operator. At least one second indicator corresponding to a second instruction for directing a second aircraft behavior at least proximately the same as the first aircraft behavior is displayed, with the at least one second instruction to be automatically implemented at a future time. The at least one second indicator is at least approximately the same as the at least one first indicator. Indicators can be hierarchically organized to simplify presentation and reduce pilot training time.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for displaying autoflight information and controlling autoflight systems. In one embodiment, a flight deck for an aircraft having an autoflight system includes at least one pilot seat, at least one window positioned forward of the pilot seat, and a forward instrument panel positioned forward of the pilot seat. In one aspect of this embodiment, the forward window provides a forward field of view out of the aircraft for a pilot seated in the pilot seat. In another aspect of this embodiment, the flight deck further includes a display device configured to provide information related to one or more autoflight modes. The display device can be positioned at least approximately between the forward instrument panel and the forward window to provide the pilot with autoflight information at least proximate to the forward field of view. In a further aspect of this embodiment, the display device can be configured to provide information related to one or more target flight parameters.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically tracking information during flight are disclosed. A method in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes receiving first information corresponding to a proposed aspect of a flight of the aircraft and including at least one target value. The method can further include automatically receiving second information that includes an actual value corresponding to the at least one target value, as the aircraft executes the flight. The at least one target value and the actual value can be provided together in a common computer-based medium.

Abstract: Systems and methods for presenting and obtaining flight control information are disclosed. In one embodiment, information corresponding to a vertical motion of the aircraft can be displayed between information corresponding to a lateral motion of the aircraft and information corresponding to an airspeed of the aircraft. The information displayed can include a current mode for controlling the motion of the aircraft, a current target to which the aircraft is being directed and, at least proximate to both the current mode and the current target, a subsequent target to which the aircraft will be directed after attaining the current target.

Abstract: Systems and methods for presenting and obtaining flight control information are disclosed. In one embodiment, information corresponding to a vertical motion of the aircraft can be displayed between information corresponding to a lateral motion of the aircraft and information corresponding to an airspeed of the aircraft. The information displayed can include a current mode for controlling the motion of the aircraft, a current target to which the aircraft is being directed and, at least proximate to both the current mode and the current target, a subsequent target to which the aircraft will be directed after attaining the current target.

Abstract: Systems and methods for handling incoming aircraft operation instructions are disclosed. A method in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes receiving from a source off-board an aircraft an instruction for changing a characteristic of the aircraft, and automatically displaying at least a portion of the instruction at a first display location. In response to receiving a first input signal directed by an operator onboard the aircraft, the method can further include displaying at least a target portion of the instruction at a second display location, without the instruction being manually regenerated, and without the instruction becoming part of a flight plan list. In response to receiving a second input signal directed by an operator, the method can further include displaying at least a target portion of the instruction at a third display location, again without the instruction being manually regenerated.

Abstract: Methods and systems for graphically displaying sources for aircraft flight control instructions are disclosed. A method in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes displaying at a display medium a map of a region at least proximate to an aircraft and displaying an aircraft indicator at least proximate to the map. The aircraft indicator can identify current location of the aircraft, and its location relative to the map can be updated as the aircraft executes a flight. The method can further include displaying at least proximate to the map an indication of a current mode by which a path of the aircraft is currently being automatically controlled.

Abstract: Methods and systems for displaying the source of aircraft control instructions are disclosed. A method in accordance with one embodiment to the invention includes receiving a first target to which an aircraft will be automatically directed upon authorization from an operator, and receiving a second target to which the aircraft will automatically be directed upon meeting a threshold condition. The method can further include displaying the first and second targets at least proximate to each other, with a target to which the aircraft is currently being controlled being displayed in a different manner than a target to which the aircraft is not currently being controlled.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for displaying and receiving tactical and strategic flight guidance information. A method in accordance with one aspect of the invention includes displaying at least one first indicator to an operator of the aircraft, with a first indicator corresponding to a first instruction input by the operator for directing a first aircraft behavior and implemented upon receiving an activation instruction from the operator. At least one second indicator corresponding to a second instruction for directing a second aircraft behavior at least proximately the same as the first aircraft behavior is displayed, with the at least one second instruction to be automatically implemented at a future time. The at least one second indicator is at least approximately the same as the at least one first indicator. Indicators can be hierarchically organized to simplify presentation and reduce pilot training time.

Abstract: Systems and computer-implemented methods for handling incoming aircraft operation instructions are disclosed. A method in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes receiving from a source off-board an aircraft an instruction for a change in a characteristic of the aircraft during operation (e.g., a change in heading, altitude or air speed of the aircraft). The method can further include automatically determining whether or not at least a portion of the instruction is to be implemented once a condition is met. If at least a portion of the instruction is to be implemented once a condition is met, the method can further include automatically carrying out a first course of action. If implementation of at least a portion of the instruction is not predicated upon fulfilling a condition is met, the method can further include automatically carrying out a second course of action different than the first course of action.

Abstract: An integrated display for displaying navigation and communication information from a plurality of sources on a single screen provides an overall picture of selected information. A graphical representation of the relationship between predetermined types of selected information is also provided. Visual representations of various components provide information and identify active components and data paths. A warning indication alerts to specific conditions and alternate modes of display operation are provided in response to specific component failures.

Abstract: A method and system for autoflight information display. A method in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes determining if an automatic aircraft controller is controlling an aircraft function based at least in part on a target aircraft speed. If so, the method further includes displaying alphanumeric information corresponding to the operation of the automatic aircraft controller at a first location of a display medium. If not, the method further includes displaying the alphanumeric information at a second location of the display medium different than the first location. The first location can be aligned with a display of the aircraft speed, and the second location can be aligned with a display of the aircraft altitude. In another embodiment of the invention, engine control information can be integrated with a display of aircraft autopilot and/or autothrottle information.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for displaying autoflight information and controlling autoflight systems. In one embodiment, a flight deck for an aircraft having an autoflight system includes at least one pilot seat, at least one window positioned forward of the pilot seat, and a forward instrument panel positioned forward of the pilot seat. In one aspect of this embodiment, the forward window provides a forward field of view out of the aircraft for a pilot seated in the pilot seat. In another aspect of this embodiment, the flight deck further includes a display device configured to provide information related to one or more autoflight modes. The display device can be positioned at least approximately between the forward instrument panel and the forward window to provide the pilot with autoflight information at least proximate to the forward field of view. In a further aspect of this embodiment, the display device can be configured to provide information related to one or more target flight parameters.

Abstract: A method and system for autoflight information display. A method in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes determining if an automatic aircraft controller is controlling an aircraft function based at least in part on a target aircraft speed. If so, the method further includes displaying alphanumeric information corresponding to the operation of the automatic aircraft controller at a first location of a display medium. If not, the method further includes displaying the alphanumeric information at a second location of the display medium different than the first location. The first location can be aligned with a display of the aircraft speed, and the second location can be aligned with a display of the aircraft altitude. In another embodiment of the invention, engine control information can be integrated with a display of aircraft autopilot and/or autothrottle information.

Abstract: A conditioning apparatus for conditioning a treated fluid includes a conditioning chamber for containing a flow of a treated fluid and an exchange element disposed within said conditioning chamber having one or more fluid passages formed therein filled with a saline solution. The exchange element has a semi-permeable membrane that allows fluid transfer between said treated fluid and said saline solution through said semi-permeable membrane.

Abstract: An integrated display for displaying navigation and communication information from a plurality of sources on a single screen provides an overall picture of selected information. A graphical representation of the relationship between predetermined types of selected information is also provided. Visual representations of various components provide information and identify active components and data paths. A warning indication alerts to specific conditions and alternate modes of display operation are provided in response to specific component failures.