Abstract: Systems and methods to provide alerts when a rotorcraft is in a low airspeed condition. During takeoff or go-around, an aural alert is provided to the pilot before the aircraft slows to less than the effective translational lift speed. The aural, visual, and/or tactile alert gets the pilot's attention to manage the aircraft's airspeed before it is too late in this critical flight phase.

Abstract: Systems and methods for intelligently alerting the flight crew of a cabin depressurization. An example system includes a cabin altimeter that generates a cabin pressure value, an alerting device, such as a speaker system and a processing device in data communication with the cabin altimeter and the alerting device. The processing device determines if there is a problem with the cabin pressure received from the cabin altimeter, determines rate of change of the cabin pressure, and sets at least one of an alert volume or an alert frequency based on the cabin pressure and the rate of change of the cabin pressure if it was determined that a problem exists with the cabin pressure. The processing device also issues a cabin depressurization alert over the alerting device based on at least one of the set alert volume or alert frequency, if there is a problem with the cabin pressure value.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and computer program product for generating and annunciating to a flight crew if they are on or approaching a closed runway. The present invention alerts the pilot to operations on closed runways with appropriate and non-misleading information, thus allowing the pilot to make better decisions.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and computer program product for generating and annunciating to a flight crew if they are on or approaching a closed runway. The present invention alerts the pilot to operations on closed runways with appropriate and non-misleading information, thus allowing the pilot to make better decisions.

Abstract: Systems and methods to provide alerts when a rotorcraft is in a low airspeed condition. During takeoff or go-around, an aural alert is provided to the pilot before the aircraft slows to less than the effective translational lift speed. The aural, visual, and/or tactile alert gets the pilot's attention to manage the aircraft's airspeed before it is too late in this critical flight phase.

Abstract: Systems and methods for selectively altering a ground proximity warning message. In an embodiment, a ground proximity warning system for a flight vehicle includes a processor that is configured to generate a look-ahead envelope that defines a region extending outwardly from the flight vehicle and to generate a terrain proximity message when the defined region intersects a terrain feature. An interface device is coupled to the processor that is operable to configure the system in a first operating mode wherein the generated terrain proximity message is selectively suppressed, and a second operating mode wherein the terrain proximity message is not suppressed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining reliability of Global Positioning System (GPS) ground speed. An example system receives GPS track information and GPS ground speed, determines a change in GPS track information and determines reliability of the GPS ground speed based on the determined change in GPS track information relative to the GPS ground speed. The system sets a GPS ground speed based on the determined reliability. A GPS ground speed output is set to zero, if the GPS ground speed is determined unreliable and the GPS ground speed output is set to the GPS ground speed, if the GPS ground speed is determined reliable. The system sends the GPS ground speed output to a Runway Awareness and Advisory System (RAAS). Also, the system sets the GPS ground speed output to zero, if a received GPS ground speed validity signal or a received GPS track validity signal indicate invalid.

Abstract: Systems and methods for selectively altering a ground proximity warning message. In an embodiment, a ground proximity warning system for a flight vehicle includes a processor that is configured to generate a look-ahead envelope that defines a region extending outwardly from the flight vehicle and to generate a terrain proximity message when the defined region intersects a terrain feature. An interface device is coupled to the processor that is operable to configure the system in a first operating mode wherein the generated terrain proximity message is selectively suppressed, and a second operating mode wherein the terrain proximity message is not suppressed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for selectively altering a ground proximity warning message. In an embodiment, a ground proximity warning system for a flight vehicle includes a processor that is configured to generate a look-ahead envelope that defines a region extending outwardly from the flight vehicle and to generate a terrain proximity message when the defined region intersects a terrain feature. An interface device is coupled to the processor that is operable to configure the system in a first operating mode wherein the generated terrain proximity message is selectively suppressed, and a second operating mode wherein the terrain proximity message is not suppressed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing an advisory if barometric altitude transition setting needs adjusting in an aircraft. In one embodiment, the method determines transition altitude, receives an uncorrected altitude, compares the uncorrected altitude to the transition altitude and to corrected altitude, and outputs a barometric altitude transition setting advisory based on the comparison between the uncorrected altitude and the transition altitude. The comparison determines if the uncorrected altitude is greater than the determined transition altitude and the advisory is output if the uncorrected altitude is determined to be greater than the transition altitude and the uncorrected altitude differs from the corrected altitude by a threshold amount. A delay is provided between the comparison of the uncorrected altitude to the transition altitude and the comparison between the uncorrected altitude and the corrected altitude.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring Required Navigational Performance (RNP) Procedures and reducing nuisance Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System warnings including a processor, a memory with RNP instructions and data, and a communication device. The processor accesses the RNP data and instructions from the memory, and uses the communication device to obtain flight information from a Flight Management System of an aircraft. When the processor determines that the aircraft is in RNP space, the processor projects an RNP envelope and modifies a warning envelope of an EGPWS to coincide with the RNP envelope if the EGPWS warning envelope extends farther than the RNP envelope.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring Required Navigational Performance (RNP) Procedures and reducing nuisance Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System warnings including a processor, a memory with RNP instructions and data, and a communication device. The processor accesses the RNP data and instructions from the memory, and uses the communication device to obtain flight information from a Flight Management System of an aircraft. When the processor determines that the aircraft is in RNP space, the processor projects an RNP envelope and modifies a warning envelope of an EGPWS to coincide with the RNP envelope if the EGPWS warning envelope extends farther than the RNP envelope.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting the type of Selective Availability (SA) engine in a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver. The apparatus reverse computes a User Equivalent Range Error (UERE) value and filters it. The filtered value is run through a hysteresis to determine the GPS engine type. The engine type determination is used to adjust values used by other systems.

Abstract: Systems and methods for intelligently alerting the flight crew of a cabin depressurization. An example system includes a cabin altimeter that generates a cabin pressure value, an alerting device, such as a speaker system and a processing device in data communication with the cabin altimeter and the alerting device. The processing device determines if there is a problem with the cabin pressure received from the cabin altimeter, determines rate of change of the cabin pressure, and sets at least one of an alert volume or an alert frequency based on the cabin pressure and the rate of change of the cabin pressure if it was determined that a problem exists with the cabin pressure. The processing device also issues a cabin depressurization alert over the alerting device based on at least one of the set alert volume or alert frequency, if there is a problem with the cabin pressure value.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating an alert if a rotary wing aircraft is approaching a hazardous situation. In an example method a processor receives a wind value and a rate of descent value. An alert signal is generated if the received wind value is greater than a tailwind threshold value and the rate of descent value is greater than a rate of descent threshold value. The generated alert is outputted to an output device, such as a display device or speakers. The alert signal is further generated if the rotary wing aircraft is on approach to landing, a rate of change of heading is less than a predefined value, or a rate of change in speed is less than a predefined value.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products for alerting a flight crew during landing that the tailwind exceeds acceptable limits. The system determines a base tailwind threshold speed for a candidate runway based on a performance constant associated with an aircraft and candidate runway information and determines present tailwind speed. If the tailwind speed is greater than the base tailwind threshold speed, a tailwind alert is generated. Also, the system determines if the aircraft is in a tailwind alerting mode based on configuration of the aircraft and activates tailwind alerting, if it is determined that the aircraft is in the tailwind alerting mode.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining if an aircraft is approaching a atmospheric pressure at field elevation (QFE) airport and for alerting if any errors that might affect the production of an accurate altitude value. In an example method a global positioning system (GPS) altitude value is compared to a corrected barometric altitude, if an airport that the aircraft is proximate to (approaching) is a QFE airport. The field elevation of the proximate airport is added to the corrected barometric altitude to generate an adjusted barometric altitude, if the comparison between the GPS altitude and the corrected barometric altitude is greater than a predefined threshold. The adjusted barometric altitude is sent to relevant aircraft systems, such as an Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically adjusting for data protocol discrepancies. The apparatus includes a unit that receives a signal from GPS receiver. The signal was formatted according to a transmission protocol. The unit includes a first component that estimates User Equivalent Range Error (UERE) based on the received signal and adjusting at least one value of the received signal based on the estimated UERE and one or more predefined scale factor and a second component that uses the adjusted at least one value.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically adjusting for data protocol discrepancies. The apparatus includes a unit that receives a signal from GPS receiver. The signal was formatted according to a transmission protocol. The unit includes a first component that estimates User Equivalent Range Error (UERE) based on the received signal and adjusting at least one value of the received signal based on the estimated UERE and one or more predefined scale factor and a second component that uses the adjusted at least one value.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing an advisory if barometric altitude transition setting needs adjusting in an aircraft. In one embodiment, the method determines transition altitude, receives an uncorrected altitude, compares the uncorrected altitude to the transition altitude and to corrected altitude, and outputs a barometric altitude transition setting advisory based on the comparison between the uncorrected altitude and the transition altitude. The comparison determines if the uncorrected altitude is greater than the determined transition altitude and the advisory is output if the uncorrected altitude is determined to be greater than the transition altitude and the uncorrected altitude differs from the corrected altitude by a threshold amount. A delay is provided between the comparison of the uncorrected altitude to the transition altitude and the comparison between the uncorrected altitude and the corrected altitude.