Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of controlling the flight path of an aircraft to follow as closely as possible a predetermined four-dimensional flight path, such as when flying continuous descent approaches. A method of controlling an aircraft to follow a predetermined four-dimensional flight path is provided that comprises monitoring the actual along-track position and the actual vertical position of the aircraft relative to the corresponding desired positions on the predetermined flight path. The aircraft's elevators are used to correct deviations of the along-track position and the aircraft's throttle is used to correct deviations of the vertical position.

Abstract: Determining a descent trajectory described by an Aircraft Intent Description Language (AIDL) is disclosed. An example method includes accessing historical flight data for a recorded flight trajectory, the recorded flight trajectory having been performed by a first aircraft type of multiple aircraft types and for a first airline of multiple airlines; estimating, using a processor, an aircraft intent parameter and an initial condition of the recorded flight trajectory based on an aircraft intent description language (AIDL) representation of the recorded flight trajectory; and mapping, using the processor, the aircraft intent parameter and the initial condition to a combination of the first aircraft type, the first airline, and an identified intended descent procedure.

Abstract: Determining a descent trajectory described by an Aircraft Intent Description Language (AIDL) is disclosed. An example method includes accessing historical flight data for a recorded flight trajectory, the recorded flight trajectory having been performed by a first aircraft type of multiple aircraft types and for a first airline of multiple airlines; estimating, using a processor, an aircraft intent parameter and an initial condition of the recorded flight trajectory based on an aircraft intent description language (AIDL) representation of the recorded flight trajectory; and mapping, using the processor, the aircraft intent parameter and the initial condition to a combination of the first aircraft type, the first airline, and an identified intended descent procedure.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and systems for controlling the speed of an aircraft. The methods and systems disclosed herein are particularly advantageous for unmanned aerial vehicles. A system may include an outer-loop controller, wherein the outer-loop controller is arranged to receive one or more target flight variables and to output a nominal target pitch; an inner-loop controller arranged to receive a target pitch and output a control signal for controlling at least one aircraft control device; and a saturation module arranged to receive a nominal target pitch and to output a target pitch for the inner-loop controller, wherein the nominal target pitch is limited between an upper bound and a lower bound by the saturation module to generate the target pitch.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of controlling the flight path of an aircraft to follow as closely as possible a predetermined four-dimensional flight path, such as when flying continuous descent approaches. A method of controlling an aircraft to follow a predetermined four-dimensional flight path is provided that comprises monitoring the actual along-track position and the actual vertical position of the aircraft relative to the corresponding desired positions on the predetermined flight path. The aircraft's elevators are used to correct deviations of the along-track position and the aircraft's throttle is used to correct deviations of the vertical position.