Abstract: A system including a directional antenna that tracks the direction and strength of automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) messages received using the directional antenna to validate that the digital position information included in the ADS-B messages conforms to the measured and tracked direction and range rate of the source of the ADS-B messages. The system may use existing directional antennae used for airborne collision avoidance systems (ACAS) that are configured to receive transponder responses at 1090 MHz (the same frequency as ADS-B messages) or any other directional antenna able to provide bearing and signal strength. The system of this disclosure may be valuable to validate ADS-B messages transmitted by nearby aircraft that do not include ACAS transponders, such as smaller general aviation (GA) aircraft, some helicopters and some unmanned aerial systems (UAS).

Abstract: Methods and systems for terrain awareness and warning (TAW) adapted for an urban air mobility vehicle (UAMV). The method includes receiving three-dimensional map data, geospatial data for the UAMV, and continuously rendering, by a display device, a lateral display showing the UAMV at a current location within the map data. The method includes constructing a buffer around the UAMV, and a vertical threshold that is a function of the current altitude. The method proceeds to identifying and displaying using a visually distinguishing technique, any objects, portions of objects, and features of objects in the map data that are within the buffer and have a height equal to or above the vertical threshold. The method thereby provides a close object awareness indicator that additionally has adaptable range.

Abstract: Systems and methods directed to improvements in the presentation of CAVS procedures on an aircraft display system over what is conventionally available are provided. The provided systems and methods employ a vertical situation display (VSD), thereby presenting additional relevant visual approach information, such as a vertical distance between the ownship and the target aircraft, descent rates of the ownship and the target and an alerting function for the user-selected CAVS range. The provided systems and methods also capably receive and process user selections of target aircraft from both the lateral display and the VSD.

Abstract: In some examples, a system includes a receiver configured to receive communication from a traffic management system and a transmitter configured to transmit surveillance messages. The system also includes processing circuitry configured to determine, in a first instance, that the receiver has not received a command signal from the traffic management system. The processing circuitry is also configured to suppress transmission of surveillance messages by the transmitter in response to determining that the receiver has not received the command signal. The processing circuitry is further configured to determine, in a second instance, that the receiver received the command signal from the traffic management system. The processing circuitry is configured to cause the transmitter to transmit the surveillance messages in response to determining that the receiver received the command signal.

Abstract: In some examples, a system includes a receiver configured to receive communication from a traffic management system and a transmitter configured to transmit surveillance messages. The system also includes processing circuitry configured to determine, in a first instance, that the receiver has not received a command signal from the traffic management system. The processing circuitry is also configured to suppress transmission of surveillance messages by the transmitter in response to determining that the receiver has not received the command signal. The processing circuitry is further configured to determine, in a second instance, that the receiver received the command signal from the traffic management system. The processing circuitry is configured to cause the transmitter to transmit the surveillance messages in response to determining that the receiver received the command signal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for providing visual assistance to a flight crew on an aircraft during flight. The method comprises generating a graphical user interface (GUI) element that displays a target aircraft symbol that represents a target aircraft and a horizontal range symbol that represents a pre-selected horizontal distance ahead of an ownship aircraft. The method further comprises positioning the target aircraft symbol at a variable position on the GUI element away from the horizontal range symbol, wherein the distance between the target aircraft symbol and the horizontal range symbol is proportional to an actual horizontal distance between the target aircraft position and the pre-selected horizontal distance ahead of the ownship aircraft; and causing the GUI element and the symbols to be displayed on a cockpit display.

Abstract: Systems and methods directed to improvements in the presentation of CAVS procedures on an aircraft display system over what is conventionally available are provided. The provided systems and methods employ a vertical situation display (VSD), thereby presenting additional relevant visual approach information, such as a vertical distance between the ownship and the target aircraft, descent rates of the ownship and the target and an alerting function for the user-selected CAVS range. The provided systems and methods also capably receive and process user selections of target aircraft from both the lateral display and the VSD.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for providing visual assistance to a flight crew on an aircraft during flight. The method comprises generating a graphical user interface (GUI) element that displays a target aircraft symbol that represents a target aircraft and a horizontal range symbol that represents a pre-selected horizontal distance ahead of an ownship aircraft. The method further comprises positioning the target aircraft symbol at a variable position on the GUI element away from the horizontal range symbol, wherein the distance between the target aircraft symbol and the horizontal range symbol is proportional to an actual horizontal distance between the target aircraft position and the pre-selected horizontal distance ahead of the ownship aircraft; and causing the GUI element and the symbols to be displayed on a cockpit display.

Abstract: Systems and methods directed to improvements in the presentation of CAVS procedures on an aircraft display system over what is conventionally available are provided. The provided systems and methods employ a vertical situation display (VSD), thereby presenting additional relevant visual approach information, such as a vertical distance between the ownship and the target aircraft, descent rates of the ownship and the target and an alerting function for the user-selected CAVS range. The provided systems and methods also capably receive and process user selections of target aircraft from both the lateral display and the VSD.

Abstract: Systems and methods directed to improvements in the presentation of CAVS procedures on an aircraft display system over what is conventionally available are provided. The provided systems and methods employ a vertical situation display (VSD), thereby presenting additional relevant visual approach information, such as a vertical distance between the ownship and the target aircraft, descent rates of the ownship and the target and an alerting function for the user-selected CAVS range. The provided systems and methods also capably receive and process user selections of target aircraft from both the lateral display and the VSD.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to systems and methods for smart transitioning between aircraft trajectory management modes. In one example, a system is configured to track a speed of a target aircraft in flight ahead of an own aircraft on which the system is positioned. The system is further configured to determine whether the target aircraft has maintained a rate of change in speed within a selected range of variation in change of speed, for a selected period of time. The system is further configured to enable an activation of a merging trajectory management mode of the own aircraft in response to determining that the own aircraft is in a trajectory management mode transition airspace and that the target aircraft has maintained the rate of change in speed within the selected range of variation in change of speed, for the selected period of time.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to systems and methods for smart transitioning between aircraft trajectory management modes. In one example, a system is configured to track a speed of a target aircraft in flight ahead of an own aircraft on which the system is positioned. The system is further configured to determine whether the target aircraft has maintained a rate of change in speed within a selected range of variation in change of speed, for a selected period of time. The system is further configured to enable an activation of a merging trajectory management mode of the own aircraft in response to determining that the own aircraft is in a trajectory management mode transition airspace and that the target aircraft has maintained the rate of change in speed within the selected range of variation in change of speed, for the selected period of time.

Abstract: A method is described that includes receiving, by a spacing system of an ownship aircraft, a current position of the ownship aircraft and a reference position of a target aircraft, wherein the reference position is a position of the target aircraft prior to a current position of the target aircraft. The method may also include, projecting, by the spacing system of the ownship aircraft, the reference position on a trajectory of the ownship aircraft, determining a first distance between the projected reference position and the current position, projecting, by the spacing system of the ownship aircraft, the current position on a trajectory of the reference position, determining a second distance between the projected current position and the reference position, and adjusting, by the spacing system and based on an average between the first distance and the second distance, a velocity of the ownship aircraft.

Abstract: A method is described that includes receiving, by a spacing system of an ownship aircraft, a current position of the ownship aircraft and a reference position of a target aircraft, wherein the reference position is a position of the target aircraft prior to a current position of the target aircraft. The method may also include, projecting, by the spacing system of the ownship aircraft, the reference position on a trajectory of the ownship aircraft, determining a first distance between the projected reference position and the current position, projecting, by the spacing system of the ownship aircraft, the current position on a trajectory of the reference position, determining a second distance between the projected current position and the reference position, and adjusting, by the spacing system and based on an average between the first distance and the second distance, a velocity of the ownship aircraft.