Abstract: A system and method for enhanced vehicle efficiency through smart automation for an onboard weather update is provided. The system comprises a processor, and a non-transitory processor readable medium including instructions, executable by the processor, to perform a method comprising: receiving vehicle data from an onboard vehicle data source; receiving real-time weather data from one or more weather data sources; detecting when onboard forecast weather data is out-of-date or irrelevant based on the vehicle data and the real-time weather data; estimating one or more potential benefits from an update of the onboard forecast weather data; and activating the update of the onboard forecast weather data.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for managing speed-constrained vehicle operations. One exemplary method of operating an aircraft involves identifying a speed constraint associated with a navigational reference point, determining a speed envelope region en route to the navigational reference point based at least in part on the first speed constraint, identifying a target speed en route to the navigational reference point, and determining a speed profile for autonomously operations en route to the navigational reference point within the speed envelope region. The speed profile intersects the target speed within the speed envelope region and a slope of the speed profile is influenced by the target speed, for example, to effectuate or approximate the target speed by increasing the duration of time operation at or around the target speed is achieved. In one or more embodiments, multiple different target speeds associated with different flight levels or operating regions are accounted for.

Abstract: Provided are enhanced flight guidance systems and methods for an aircraft. The method includes recognizing when the aircraft is in manual operation and an active flight path is different than the planned flight path. An interrupt is received and categorized as one of (i) obstacle, (ii) equipment/fuel, or (iii) pilot health monitor. A managed mode begins, including identifying a rejoining leg of the planned flight path at which to rejoin and a location on the rejoining leg at which to rejoin. A recapture path strategy is selected from (i) lateral, (ii) vertical, and (iii) mixed lateral and vertical. A recapture path to the location on the rejoining leg is computed. The computed recapture path includes speed targets and configuration requirements at dedicated points along the recapture path. Aircraft state data along the recapture path is predicted and guidance controls for the aircraft along the recapture path are generated.

Abstract: A system and method for enhanced vehicle efficiency through smart automation for an onboard weather update is provided. The system comprises a processor, and a non-transitory processor readable medium including instructions, executable by the processor, to perform a method comprising: receiving vehicle data from an onboard vehicle data source; receiving real-time weather data from one or more weather data sources; detecting when onboard forecast weather data is out-of-date or irrelevant based on the vehicle data and the real-time weather data; estimating one or more potential benefits from an update of the onboard forecast weather data; and activating the update of the onboard forecast weather data.

Abstract: A system and method for enhanced vehicle efficiency through smart automation for an onboard weather update is provided. The system comprises a processor, and a non-transitory processor readable medium including instructions, executable by the processor, to perform a method comprising: receiving vehicle data from an onboard vehicle data source; receiving real-time weather data from one or more weather data sources; detecting when onboard forecast weather data is out-of-date or irrelevant based on the vehicle data and the real-time weather data; estimating one or more potential benefits from an update of the onboard forecast weather data; and activating the update of the onboard forecast weather data.

Abstract: Systems and methods directed to evaluating and enabling enhanced glide slope angles are provided. The method includes, in a control module, identifying a designated glide slope angle (D_GSA) based on a designated approach procedure; receiving and processing sensor data and navigation data; and, generating an adaptive glide slope angle (A_GSA) and an associated final capture altitude (FCA) based thereon. The method includes determining whether (a) an altitude constraint applies at the FCA, and determining whether (b) a level segment exists at the FCA. When (a) and (b) are concurrent, the method enables modification of the designated approach procedure with the A_GSA; and, the method prevents modification of the designated approach procedure with the A_GSA when there is no concurrence of (a) and (b).

Abstract: Provided are enhanced flight guidance systems and methods for an aircraft. The method includes recognizing when the aircraft is in manual operation and an active flight path is different than the planned flight path. An interrupt is received and categorized as one of (i) obstacle, (ii) equipment/fuel, or (iii) pilot health monitor. A managed mode begins, including identifying a rejoining leg of the planned flight path at which to rejoin and a location on the rejoining leg at which to rejoin. A recapture path strategy is selected from (i) lateral, (ii) vertical, and (iii) mixed lateral and vertical. A recapture path to the location on the rejoining leg is computed. The computed recapture path includes speed targets and configuration requirements at dedicated points along the recapture path. Aircraft state data along the recapture path is predicted and guidance controls for the aircraft along the recapture path are generated.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for managing speed-constrained vehicle operations. One exemplary method of operating an aircraft involves identifying a speed constraint associated with a navigational reference point, determining a speed envelope region en route to the navigational reference point based at least in part on the first speed constraint, identifying a target speed en route to the navigational reference point, and determining a speed profile for autonomously operations en route to the navigational reference point within the speed envelope region. The speed profile intersects the target speed within the speed envelope region and a slope of the speed profile is influenced by the target speed, for example, to effectuate or approximate the target speed by increasing the duration of time operation at or around the target speed is achieved. In one or more embodiments, multiple different target speeds associated with different flight levels or operating regions are accounted for.

Abstract: Systems and methods directed to evaluating and enabling enhanced glide slope angles are provided. The method includes, in a control module, identifying a designated glide slope angle (D_GSA) based on a designated approach procedure; receiving and processing sensor data and navigation data; and, generating an adaptive glide slope angle (A_GSA) and an associated final capture altitude (FCA) based thereon. The method includes determining whether (a) an altitude constraint applies at the FCA, and determining whether (b) a level segment exists at the FCA. When (a) and (b) are concurrent, the method enables modification of the designated approach procedure with the A_GSA; and, the method prevents modification of the designated approach procedure with the A_GSA when there is no concurrence of (a) and (b).

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for managing speed-constrained vehicle operations. One exemplary method of operating an aircraft involves identifying a speed constraint associated with a navigational reference point, determining a speed envelope region en route to the navigational reference point based at least in part on the first speed constraint, identifying a target speed en route to the navigational reference point, and determining a speed profile for autonomously operations en route to the navigational reference point within the speed envelope region. The speed profile intersects the target speed within the speed envelope region and a slope of the speed profile is influenced by the target speed, for example, to effectuate or approximate the target speed by increasing the duration of time operation at or around the target speed is achieved. In one or more embodiments, multiple different target speeds associated with different flight levels or operating regions are accounted for.

Abstract: A system and method for enhanced vehicle efficiency through smart automation for an onboard weather update is provided. The system comprises a processor, and a non-transitory processor readable medium including instructions, executable by the processor, to perform a method comprising: receiving vehicle data from an onboard vehicle data source; receiving real-time weather data from one or more weather data sources; detecting when onboard forecast weather data is out-of-date or irrelevant based on the vehicle data and the real-time weather data; estimating one or more potential benefits from an update of the onboard forecast weather data; and activating the update of the onboard forecast weather data.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for managing speed-constrained vehicle operations. One exemplary method of operating an aircraft involves identifying a speed constraint associated with a navigational reference point, determining a speed envelope region en route to the navigational reference point based at least in part on the first speed constraint, identifying a target speed en route to the navigational reference point, and determining a speed profile for autonomously operations en route to the navigational reference point within the speed envelope region. The speed profile intersects the target speed within the speed envelope region and a slope of the speed profile is influenced by the target speed, for example, to effectuate or approximate the target speed by increasing the duration of time operation at or around the target speed is achieved. In one or more embodiments, multiple different target speeds associated with different flight levels or operating regions are accounted for.

Abstract: Systems and methods directed to generating an adaptive glide slope angle and allowing a pilot to interact with the generated glide slope angle are provided. The systems and methods retrieve, from a navigation database (NDB), a designated approach procedure for the aircraft, and identify a designated glide slope angle (D_GSA) based thereon. The systems and methods receive sensed actual weather data and sensed aircraft status data and generate an adaptive glide slope angle A_GSA based thereon. The systems and methods allow modification of and modify, or prevent modification of, the designated approach procedure with the A_GSA based on the determination of whether or not the A_GSA is compatible with the designated approach procedure.

Abstract: Systems and methods, and non-transitory computer readable mediums directed to generating an adaptive glide slope angle and allowing a pilot to interact with the generated glide slope angle are provided. The systems and methods, and non-transitory computer readable mediums retrieve, from a navigation database (NDB), a designated approach procedure for the aircraft, and identify a designated glide slope angle (D_GSA) based thereon. The systems and methods, and non-transitory computer readable mediums receive sensed actual weather data and sensed aircraft status data and generate an adaptive glide slope angle A_GSA based thereon. The systems and methods, and non-transitory computer readable mediums allow modification of and modify, or prevent modification of, the designated approach procedure with the A_GSA based on the determination of whether or not the A_GSA is compatible with the designated approach procedure.