Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for engaging a vertical navigational descent (VNAV/DES) mode of a flight management system (FMS) for an aircraft. The method comprises retrieving a preset vertical navigation (VNAV) profile for a descent path of the aircraft that is stored in the FMS. The current flight path angle (FPA) and vertical speed (VS) of the aircraft is determined and intercept parameters are calculated to intercept the preset VNAV profile with the VNAV/DES mode of the FMS. The intercept parameters are calculated based on the current FPA and VS and displayed to an aircrew member of the aircraft on a visual display device. The aircrew member is allowed to accept the intercept parameters with the VNAV/DES mode of the FMS.

Abstract: Systems and methods may be used for monitoring and identifying failure in flight management systems. For example, a method may include: calculating, using a first flight management system, a first value of a guidance command for controlling an aircraft for an RNP AP procedure; receiving a second value of the guidance command from a second flight management system; comparing the first value with the second value to determine whether the first value matches the second value; upon determining that the first value does not match the second value, using a flight management system monitor to determine, from the first flight management system and the second flight management system, a flight management system that has computed a correct value of the guidance command; and generating a message indicating that the determined flight management system is to be used to guide the aircraft.

Abstract: Systems and methods may be used for monitoring and identifying failure in flight management systems. For example, a method may include: calculating, using a first flight management system, a first value of a guidance command for controlling an aircraft for an RNP AP procedure; receiving a second value of the guidance command from a second flight management system; comparing the first value with the second value to determine whether the first value matches the second value; upon determining that the first value does not match the second value, using a flight management system monitor to determine, from the first flight management system and the second flight management system, a flight management system that has computed a correct value of the guidance command; and generating a message indicating that the determined flight management system is to be used to guide the aircraft.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for engaging a vertical navigational descent (VNAV/DES) mode of a flight management system (FMS) for an aircraft. The method comprises retrieving a preset vertical navigation (VNAV) profile for a descent path of the aircraft that is stored in the FMS. The current flight path angle (FPA) and vertical speed (VS) of the aircraft is determined and intercept parameters are calculated to intercept the preset VNAV profile with the VNAV/DES mode of the FMS. The intercept parameters are calculated based on the current FPA and VS and displayed to an aircrew member of the aircraft on a visual display device. The aircrew member is allowed to accept the intercept parameters with the VNAV/DES mode of the FMS.

Abstract: Aircraft systems and related methods and devices are provided for supporting a standalone or external flight management system (FMS) line replaceable unit (LRU) using another LRU onboard the aircraft. In one embodiment, the hosting LRU includes a communications interface for coupling to a FMS LRU, a first card coupled to the communications interface and including shared memory communicatively coupled to a shared memory interface, and a flight guidance card communicatively coupled to one or more onboard systems to obtain operational data for the aircraft from the one or more onboard systems and provide the operational data to the first card via the shared memory interface, wherein the first card is configured to retransmit the operational data to the FMS LRU via the communications interface.

Abstract: A ladder or the like climbing safety device of the type of a pair of hooks is provided, at each of the hooks, with a "U"-shaped clip adapted to engage the back and the palm of the respective hand of the user. The device is thus easily detachable from the respective hands either during the climbing or when the user is off the ladder, manhole steps or the like. The device is of a simple structure that not only reduces it's manufacturing costs but also combines the ease of engagement with and disengagement from the respective hands of the user, thus considerably reducing the rather cumbersome handling of many of know prior art devices of this type.