Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for identifying objects of interest during an air search and rescue (SAR) operation. The method comprises detecting an object of interest near a SAR pattern with a sensor onboard an aircraft. The location of the object of interest is input into a visual display system that is shown to an aircrew member. Distinct symbols are automatically added to categorize the object of interest on the visual display system. The distinct symbols are confirmed by the aircrew member accurately categorize the object of interest.

Abstract: In some examples, this disclosure describes a system for verifying identities of a first user and a second user. In some examples, the system includes processing circuitry and a memory device configured to store biometric verification data associated with the first user and the second user. In some examples, the system also includes an input device configured to receive biometric input data and transmit the biometric input data to the processing circuitry. In some examples, the processing circuitry is configured to determine whether the biometric input data matches biometric verification data for the first user or the second user, unlock the aircraft in response to determining that the biometric input data matches biometric verification data for the first user or the second user, and activate the aircraft for operation in response to determining that the biometric input data matches biometric verification data for the first user.

Abstract: In some examples, this disclosure describes a system for verifying identities of a first user and a second user. In some examples, the system includes processing circuitry and a memory device configured to store biometric verification data associated with the first user and the second user. In some examples, the system also includes an input device configured to receive biometric input data and transmit the biometric input data to the processing circuitry. In some examples, the processing circuitry is configured to determine whether the biometric input data matches biometric verification data for the first user or the second user, unlock the aircraft in response to determining that the biometric input data matches biometric verification data for the first user or the second user, and activate the aircraft for operation in response to determining that the biometric input data matches biometric verification data for the first user.

Abstract: Improved systems and methods for the evaluation of runway changes that analyze the effect of the runway change on relevant factors, and provide intuitive visual feedback of the analysis, are provided. The provided systems and methods depict the original runway and the new runway, side by side, in a pictorial representation. Additionally, a selectable group of relevant factors for each runway is determined. The pictorial representation is overlaid with one or more symbolic indicators that distinctly demark each of the factors, alphanumeric descriptors may also be displayed alongside the symbolic indicators. The provided systems and methods additionally generate a tabular display of the information and factors. The tabular display provides a side by side comparison of the old runway, the new runway, and the relevant factors.

Abstract: An obstacle advisory system for a vehicle and a method for operating the same are provided. The system, for example, may include, but is not limited to a display, and a processor communicatively coupled to the display, the processor configured to receive sensor data from at least one sensor configured to sense obstacles around a vehicle, generate obstacle display data based upon the sensor data, the obstacle display data comprising display data for each of a plurality of sectors and for each of a plurality of blocks within each of the plurality of sectors forming a grid surrounding the vehicle, and display the generated obstacle display data on the display.

Abstract: An obstacle advisory system for a vehicle and a method for operating the same are provided. The system, for example, may include, but is not limited to a display, and a processor communicatively coupled to the display, the processor configured to receive sensor data from at least one sensor configured to sense obstacles around a vehicle, generate obstacle display data based upon the sensor data, the obstacle display data comprising display data for each of a plurality of sectors and for each of a plurality of blocks within each of the plurality of sectors forming a grid surrounding the vehicle, and display the generated obstacle display data on the display.

Abstract: A method of operating an aircraft during a flight is provided. An onboard monitoring subsystem of the aircraft detects that a flight crew member is fatigued, and an automated flight crew training exercise is activated in response to detecting that the flight crew member is fatigued. The flight crew member is then engaged with the automated flight crew training exercise, including instructions intended to alleviate flight crew fatigue.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enhanced display of obstacles in a combined vision display are provided. The system comprises a display unit and an enhanced vision system configured to generate first signals representative of enhanced vision images. Data storage device contains obstacle data representative of obstacles. Synthetic vision system is configured to selectively retrieve obstacle data from data storage device and generate second signals representative of synthetic vision images of one or more obstacles. Processor is in operable communication with display unit and coupled to receive first and second signals and configured, in response thereto, to: overlay the synthetic vision images of the one or more obstacles over the enhanced vision images and command display unit to display the synthetic vision images of the one or more obstacles overlaid over the enhanced vision images. The overlaid synthetic vision images of the one or more obstacles may be visually highlighted.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for integrating and displaying the collective cue and the pitch and roll cue of a helicopter display with a flight path marker providing a moving reference showing the aircraft flight path.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for integrating and displaying the collective cue and the pitch and roll cue of a helicopter display with a flight path marker providing a moving reference showing the aircraft flight path.

Abstract: A method of operating an aircraft during a flight is provided. An onboard monitoring subsystem of the aircraft detects that a flight crew member is fatigued, and an automated flight crew training exercise is activated in response to detecting that the flight crew member is fatigued. The flight crew member is then engaged with the automated flight crew training exercise, including instructions intended to alleviate flight crew fatigue.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for selecting a touchdown point for a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. The eye movements of a user are tracked relative to an image being rendered on a display screen. An updated touchdown point location is determined from the tracked eye movements, and an updated touchdown point is rendered at the updated touchdown point location on the display screen.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating cognitive efficacy of an individual is provided. The individual is subjected to a plurality of tasks. Electroencephalogram (EEG) data from EEG sensors coupled to the individual are collected while the individual is performing the plurality of tasks. The EEG data are supplied to a trained classifier that generates an estimate of cognitive effort of the individual for each of the plurality of tasks performed by the individual.

Abstract: A method of generating aircraft flight deck alerts is provided. An onboard alerting subsystem determines that an alert needs to be generated, and an onboard monitoring subsystem obtains a fatigue level of a flight crew member. An alert is generated with nominal audiovisual characteristics when the fatigue level is indicative of a non-fatigued physiological condition of the flight crew member, and with enhanced audiovisual characteristics when the fatigue level is indicative of a fatigued physiological condition. In addition, an automated flight crew training exercise can be launched when the flight crew member is fatigued, in an attempt to engage the flight crew member and alleviate fatigue.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for selecting a touchdown point for a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. The eye movements of a user are tracked relative to an image being rendered on a display screen. An updated touchdown point location is determined from the tracked eye movements, and an updated touchdown point is rendered at the updated touchdown point location on the display screen.