Abstract: The present invention is directed to a non-normalized aircraft angle-of-attack indicating system. An angle-of-attack vane produces a signal .alpha.' indicative of raw aircraft angle-of-attack. A pitot-static system (68) produces output signals representative of aircraft static pressure and total pressure, P.sub.s and P.sub.t, respectively. The signals .alpha.', P.sub.s and P.sub.t are fed to an air data computer (66) which correspondingly produces an aircraft actual angle-of-attack value .alpha. and a calculated Mach number, M. Configuration sensors (80) produce output signals representative of gear position, g, flap position, f, and speed brake position, sb. The signals .alpha., M, g, f and sb are fed to a display computer (76). The display computer includes a submodule (90) which utilizes a lookup table to determine a value of angle-of-attack stick shaker, .alpha..sub.ss from the values of M, g, f and sb. A second submodule (92) utilizes a lookup table to produce a second angle-of-attack reference value .

Abstract: Signals from warning systems are passed to a hazard prioritization computer. The prioritization computer also receives inputs from the aircraft's air data and inertial reference system. The alert prioritization computer includes three functional modules: (1) hazard detection, identification and monitoring, (2) threat assessment and (3) display and alert prioritization logic. The hazard prioritization computer processes the warning system signals, along with stored data from a hazard database to compute a severity component of threat and a proximity component of threat. These two components are processed to produce an overall threat value for each hazard. This overall threat value is then processed to provide alert and display generation and prioritization for the flight crew and/or the aircraft's auto-flight system.

Abstract: A feedback apparatus for an operator to control an effector that is remote from the operator to interact with a remote environment has a local input device to be manipulated by the operator. Sensors in the effector's environment are capable of sensing the amplitude of forces arising between the effector and its environment, the direction of application of such forces, or both amplitude and direction. A feedback signal corresponding to such a component of the force, is generated and transmitted to the environment of the operator. The signal is transduced into a vibrotactile sensory substitution signal to which the operator is sensitive. Vibration producing apparatus present the vibrotactile signal to the operator. The full range of the force amplitude may be represented by a single, mechanical vibrator. Vibrotactile display elements can be located on the operator's limbs, such as on the hand, fingers, arms, legs, feet, etc.