Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for guiding a vertical takeoff and landing, VTOL, vehicle to an emergency landing zone. The systems and methods include determining, via at least one processor, candidate landing zone data by interrogating an emergency landing zone database based at least on VTOL vehicle location, the candidate landing zone data representing a list of candidate emergency landing zones. A target emergency landing zone is selected from the list of candidate emergency landing zones based at least on VTOL vehicle related issues including at least one of unanticipated yaw issues, ground effect issues and modified trend vector issues, thereby providing target emergency landing zone data. Guidance for the VTOL vehicle is determined based on the target emergency landing zone data.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein provide one or more processors configured to execute program instructions to cause the one or more processors to receive camera images of a scene including a portion being lit by the searchlight, receive terrain data from a terrain database, generate an augmented/virtual reality scene based on the camera images and the terrain data, display, via a headset display, the augmented/virtual reality scene, track gaze and head movement using headset sensors, output tracking data based on tracked gaze and head movement, and output instructions for controlling at least one function of the searchlight based on the tracking data.

Abstract: A flight deck system includes a cockpit display device on which an airport display is displayed and a controller. The controller is configured to generate a runway condition graphic having at least three different segments to be overlaid over or positioned adjacent to a depiction of a runway on the airport display, wherein each segment of the runway condition graphic is associated with a different segment of the runway and configured to provide a graphical indication of a contaminant condition for the associated segment. The controller is further configured to categorize the contaminant condition of each segment of the runway; visually code each segment of the runway condition graphic in a manner that is representative of the contaminant condition category for its associated segment of the runway; and cause the generated runway condition graphic to be overlaid over or positioned adjacent to the depiction of the runway on the airport display.

Abstract: A method for assisting pilots during an approach to an airport with a cold temperature restriction which includes: programming on a computing device, at least one processor to implement an algorithm of an app to automatically detect a temperature restriction of a particular airport with the cold temperature restriction and to calculate a cold temperature compensation based on data from published notices to airman (NOTAMs) and to generate data of a corrected altitude of the aircraft during an approach to the cold temperature restricted airport based on a first component of sensor data contributed from the current flight approach and based on a second component of data of NOTAMs; receiving sensor data to the at least one processor deployed on the aircraft; an associated memory for acquiring the published data; and executing an algorithm to calculate a corrected cold temperature altitude when approaching the airport with the cold weather restriction.

Abstract: In some examples, a system includes a memory configured to store a threshold level for collision prediction. The system also includes processing circuitry configured to determine that a collision likelihood at a potential collision location between the vehicle and an object is greater than or equal to the threshold level. The processing circuitry is also configured to cause one or more lights mounted on the vehicle to direct light towards the potential collision location or towards the object in response to determining that the collision likelihood for the vehicle is greater than or equal to the threshold level.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods for validating a real-time condition of a landing field using aircraft data. One method comprises identifying a plurality of segments of the runway based on a configurable parameter; receiving input data of at least one of a reported runway condition code and a reported braking action of a recently landed aircraft; receiving actual data of an actual runway deceleration profile from the recently landed aircraft for each identified segment of the runway; creating expected data of an expected runway deceleration profile based on the received input data and the received actual data; comparing the received actual data with the created expected data to validate and/or reassess the input data; and transmitting the validated and/or reassessed data to at least one of other approaching aircraft and an airport controller.

Abstract: In some examples, a collision awareness system includes a receiver configured to receive a first clearance for a first vehicle, receive a first image of the first vehicle, and receive a second clearance for a second vehicle. The collision awareness system also includes processing circuitry configured to determine that the first vehicle is positioned incorrectly based on the first clearance and the first image. The processing circuitry is also configured to generate an alert based on the second clearance and in response to determining that the first vehicle is positioned incorrectly.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems and non-transitory computer-readable medium for providing a flight path around a zone of avoidance located on a currently planned flight path of an aircraft. For instance, the method may include obtaining data of the zone of avoidance located on the currently planned flight path; determining a safe distance from the zone of avoidance based on a characteristic of the aircraft or a characteristic of the zone of avoidance; constructing a safety envelope outside of the zone of avoidance by defining the safety envelope based on the safe distance; constructing a plurality of alternate flight paths around the zone of avoidance such that each of the plurality of alternate flight paths avoids crossing into the zone of avoidance and avoids crossing in between the safety envelope and the zone of avoidance; and selecting an optimal flight path from among the plurality of alternate flight paths.

Abstract: In some examples, a collision awareness system includes a receiver configured to receive a first clearance for a first vehicle, receive a first image of the first vehicle, and receive a second clearance for a second vehicle. The collision awareness system also includes processing circuitry configured to determine that the first vehicle is positioned incorrectly based on the first clearance and the first image. The processing circuitry is also configured to generate an alert based on the second clearance and in response to determining that the first vehicle is positioned incorrectly.

Abstract: A system for displaying wake information to a pilot of an ownship aircraft. The system includes a display and a receiver. Aircraft information is received, which includes an aircraft type, position and velocity data and aircraft configuration information for a nearby aircraft. Environmental information is also received. The system includes a processor module configured to generate, using the received aircraft information, a wake volume model for the nearby aircraft; and to modify, and using the received environmental information, the generated wake volume model; and to determine if the modified wake volume model will coincide with the ownship aircraft at a future time. When the processor module determines that the modified wake volume coincides with the ownship aircraft at a future time, the processor module is configured to cause the display to display a representation of the modified wake volume.

Abstract: A method and system for time-based viewing to coordinate airport collaborative decision making (A-CDM) events between a pilot and ground personnel on a cockpit display of an aircraft of generating a time scale with a list of A-CDM events of the aircraft during inbound, turnaround and outbound flight operations to an airport based sensor data contributed by aircraft systems and data of A-CDM event related to airport operations to generate a current time moving window in the time scale for identifying A-CDM events; generating a graphic user interface using the sensor data for positioning the current time moving window on the time scale; and collaboratively communicating with ground personnel decisions based on an aircraft state and a current A-CDM event identified by the positioning of the current time moving window in the time scale to expedite completion of a particular A-CDM event.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method in an aircraft for identifying a flight plan modification that has a favorable impact from jet streams is provided. The method includes: retrieving an entered flight plan for the aircraft; retrieving available jet stream data identifying one or more jet streams in proximity to a proposed flight path from the entered flight plan, wherein the jet stream data includes jet stream vector, altitude, width, and thickness data; projecting the jet stream data around the proposed flight path as points of interest around the proposed flight path; identifying a flight plan modification that has the most favorable impact from jet streams at the points of interest; and displaying the identified flight plan modification on a user interface.

Abstract: A method for using an airfield Light Fidelity (LiFi) system in an airfield to exchange optical wireless data communications with an aircraft. The method (i) detects aircraft exterior lights including aircraft LED lamps, via a plurality of airfield photo detectors, wherein the airfield LiFi system comprises the plurality of airfield photo detectors positioned at intervals along a runway of the airfield; (ii) in response to detecting the aircraft exterior lights, establishes a communication connection to an aircraft LiFi system comprising the aircraft LED lamps and aircraft photo detectors, by the airfield LiFi system; and (iii) exchanges the optical wireless data communications via the communication connection, by the airfield LiFi system, by: receiving communications from aircraft LED lamps, via airfield photo detectors; transmitting communications to aircraft photo detectors, via airfield LED lamps; and presenting ground station notifications.

Abstract: A method for administering aircraft maintenance activities including: deploying on one or more devices for permissioned use of an app programmed to implement a blockchain network by receiving instructions of assigning maintenance activities to perform updates or replacements of parts of an aircraft and for part tracking and part verification; implementing a workflow which specifies a process based on time stamp data to assign, check, and ensure that a set of maintenance tasks is completed based on the time stamp data and is validated by rules from the blockchain ledger for the maintenance activity; and implement the set of maintenance tasks comprising: checking, scheduling, sequencing and assigning the set of maintenance tasks with time stamp data to maintenance personnel wherein each maintenance task is performed in a sequence of an order of execution and assignment of a start and end time for each maintenance task.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for environmental data sharing and context-based relevance determination. One method comprises receiving, by an environmental condition response system of a receiving vehicle, environmental data associated with a sending vehicle. Then, the environmental condition response system of the receiving vehicle analyzes the received environmental data for relevance based on contextual information of the receiving vehicle. Based on determining that the received environmental data is relevant to the receiving vehicle, the environmental condition response system determines a remedial action and sends instructions to perform the remedial action to a corresponding vehicle component system of the receiving vehicle.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods for validating a real-time condition of a landing field using aircraft data. One method comprises identifying a plurality of segments of the runway based on a configurable parameter; receiving input data of at least one of a reported runway condition code and a reported braking action of a recently landed aircraft; receiving actual data of an actual runway deceleration profile from the recently landed aircraft for each identified segment of the runway; creating expected data of an expected runway deceleration profile based on the received input data and the received actual data; comparing the received actual data with the created expected data to validate and/or reassess the input data; and transmitting the validated and/or reassessed data to at least one of other approaching aircraft and an airport controller.

Abstract: A method for obtaining, analyzing, and using pilot report (PIREP) data onboard an aircraft is provided. The method detects information relevant to one or more PIREPs associated with a current flight path of the aircraft, based on aircraft state data and avionics data obtained from a plurality of avionics systems, by at least one processor onboard the aircraft, wherein the one or more PIREPs includes at least one of instrumental PIREPs and pilot experience PIREPs; automatically completes a set of incomplete PIREPs associated with the current flight path using the information relevant to the one or more PIREPs, by the at least one processor, to generate complete PIREPs; and presents the complete PIREPs via a display device onboard the aircraft.

Abstract: A method for assisting pilots during an approach to an airport with a cold temperature restriction which includes: programming on a computing device, at least one processor to implement an algorithm of an app to automatically detect a temperature restriction of a particular airport with the cold temperature restriction and to calculate a cold temperature compensation based on data from published notices to airman (NOTAMs) and to generate data of a corrected altitude of the aircraft during an approach to the cold temperature restricted airport based on a first component of sensor data contributed from the current flight approach and based on a second component of data of NOTAMs; receiving sensor data to the at least one processor deployed on the aircraft; an associated memory for acquiring the published data; and executing an algorithm to calculate a corrected cold temperature altitude when approaching the airport with the cold weather restriction.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for predicting a hot spot. One method comprises receiving, by a hot spot prediction system, vehicle characteristics associated with a vehicle and traffic data. Then the hot spot prediction system determines a hot spot and an estimated arrival time at the hot spot based on the vehicle characteristics and the traffic data. Following the determination, an auto brake application system receives the hot spot and the estimated arrival time and determines a safe stop time based on the vehicle characteristics, the hot spot and the estimated arrival time. The auto brake application system then sends a notification to the vehicle based on determining that the vehicle can stop within the safe stop time, and performs an action in response to receiving a confirmation from the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for automatically adjusting aircraft performance parameters for use on an airdrop. The method comprises establishing and transmitting initial dimensions for a drop zone from a ground element to a flight management system (FMS) of an in-flight cargo aircraft via a secure data link. The ground element continually monitors ground-based parameters affecting the dimensions of the drop zone and transmits changes to the parameters to the FMS via the secure data link. The FMS adjusts a computed air release point (CARP) for the airdrop and continually updates flight performance parameters for the in-flight cargo aircraft based on the changes to the ground-based parameters.