Abstract: A reverse thrust detent system for an aircraft includes a throttle quadrant having an intermediate reverse thrust detent position, a reverse thrust scheduling system interfacing with the throttle quadrant, at least one aircraft engine interfacing with the reverse thrust scheduling system and a programmable input interfacing with the reverse thrust scheduling system and adapted to receive an engine reverse thrust setting. The reverse thrust scheduling system is adapted to operate the at least one aircraft engine according to the engine reverse thrust setting responsive to actuation of the intermediate reverse thrust detent position of the throttle quadrant. A reverse thrust detent method for an aircraft is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of determining effectiveness of an aircraft braking system on an aircraft during an aircraft landing including generating a scalar deceleration value when a predefined braking event occurs that corresponds to effectiveness of a braking system associated with an aircraft landing operation during occurrence of a predefined braking event on an aircraft; and disseminating the generated scalar deceleration value to downstream users. A system includes a data collection module adapted to collect data relating to braking data associated with each of an associated plurality of segments of deceleration of the aircraft during a predefined braking event; a calculation module adapted to generate a scalar deceleration value based on data obtained; and a communication module in signal communication with the calculation module and with at least one downstream user of the system adapted to communicate the scalar deceleration value to at least one downstream user.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for optimizing runway exiting. Prior to landing, the pilot may choose to input one or more new landing parameters. Then, based on current landing parameters (e.g., any new landing parameter(s) and remaining default landing parameters) and the aircraft performance parameters, predicted landing performance can be updated and indicia of the updated predicted landing performance can be displayed to the pilot on an updated airport map and display. The updated predicted landing performance can include, among other things, a display of AUTOBRAKE landing performance. When no further changes to the current landing parameters are desired, the automatic braking system can be set to provide dynamic braking to slow the aircraft to a selected velocity at a selected position on a particular runway.

Abstract: In exemplary embodiments, braking of an airplane is controlled during a rejected takeoff. A rejected takeoff of an airplane from a runway is initiated. Position of the airplane is determined, such as by inputting aircraft position from a global positioning system. Distance remaining on the runway is determined. Deceleration to stop the aircraft in the determined distance remaining on the runway is calculated, and the calculated deceleration is provided to an autobraking system of the airplane. When the aircraft can not be stopped in the determined distance remaining on the runway, a predetermined deceleration that correlates to maximum braking may be provided to the aircraft's autobraking system. The calculated deceleration may be provided to the autobraking system until a pilot takes command of the aircraft's brakes or the aircraft has stopped.

Abstract: A reverse thrust detent system for an aircraft includes a throttle quadrant having an intermediate reverse thrust detent position, a reverse thrust scheduling system interfacing with the throttle quadrant, at least one aircraft engine interfacing with the reverse thrust scheduling system and a programmable input interfacing with the reverse thrust scheduling system and adapted to receive an engine reverse thrust setting. The reverse thrust scheduling system is adapted to operate the at least one aircraft engine according to the engine reverse thrust setting responsive to actuation of the intermediate reverse thrust detent position of the throttle quadrant. A reverse thrust detent method for an aircraft is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention discloses differing embodiments of methods, aircraft, and apparatus for communicating the braking conditions of a runway. In one embodiment, braking information may be determined from a first aircraft which has landed on the runway. The braking information may be communicated to air traffic control and/or a second aircraft. Communication of the braking information may take place utilizing an Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast system (ADS-B) and/or other type of automatic networking system.

Abstract: A method of determining effectiveness of an aircraft braking system on an aircraft during an aircraft landing including generating a scalar deceleration value when a predefined braking event occurs that corresponds to effectiveness of a braking system associated with an aircraft landing operation during occurrence of a predefined braking event on an aircraft; and disseminating the generated scalar deceleration value to downstream users. A system includes a data collection module adapted to collect data relating to braking data associated with each of an associated plurality of segments of deceleration of the aircraft during a predefined braking event; a calculation module adapted to generate a scalar deceleration value based on data obtained; and a communication module in signal communication with the calculation module and with at least one downstream user of the system adapted to communicate the scalar deceleration value to at least one downstream user.

Abstract: The invention discloses differing embodiments of methods, aircraft, and apparatus for communicating the braking conditions of a runway. In one embodiment, braking information may be determined from a first aircraft which has landed on the runway. The braking information may be communicated to air traffic control and/or a second aircraft. Communication of the braking information may take place utilizing an Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast system (ADS-B) and/or other type of automatic networking system.

Abstract: The invention discloses differing embodiments of methods, aircraft, and apparatus for determining the landing conditions of a runway. In one embodiment, braking data may be collected from an aircraft which has landed on the runway; a braking performance measurement of the aircraft may be calculated based on the braking data; and a normalized braking performance measurement may be determined based on the braking performance measurement. The invention may be utilized to predict the expected braking performance of various types of aircraft on the runway. The invention may provide landing performance information to a broad host of users, and/or may be used as a basis for the development of a new aviation standard for the reporting of runway braking action.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for optimizing runway exiting. Prior to landing, the pilot may choose to input one or more new landing parameters. Then, based on current landing parameters (e.g., any new landing parameter(s) and remaining default landing parameters) and the aircraft performance parameters, predicted landing performance can be updated and indicia of the updated predicted landing performance can be displayed to the pilot on an updated airport map and display. The updated predicted landing performance can include, among other things, a display of AUTOBRAKE landing performance. When no further changes to the current landing parameters are desired, the automatic braking system can be set to provide dynamic braking to slow the aircraft to a selected velocity at a selected position on a particular runway.

Abstract: In exemplary embodiments, braking of an airplane is controlled during a rejected takeoff. A rejected takeoff of an airplane from a runway is initiated. Position of the airplane is determined, such as by inputting aircraft position from a global positioning system. Distance remaining on the runway is determined. Deceleration to stop the aircraft in the determined distance remaining on the runway is calculated, and the calculated deceleration is provided to an autobraking system of the airplane. When the aircraft can not be stopped in the determined distance remaining on the runway, a predetermined deceleration that correlates to maximum braking may be provided to the aircraft's autobraking system. The calculated deceleration may be provided to the autobraking system until a pilot takes command of the aircraft's brakes or the aircraft has stopped.

Abstract: The invention discloses differing embodiments of methods, aircraft, and apparatus for determining the landing conditions of a runway. In one embodiment, braking data may be collected from an aircraft which has landed on the runway; a braking performance measurement of the aircraft may be calculated based on the braking data; and a normalized braking performance measurement may be determined based on the braking performance measurement. The invention may be utilized to predict the expected braking performance of various types of aircraft on the runway. The invention may provide landing performance information to a broad host of users, and/or may be used as a basis for the development of a new aviation standard for the reporting of runway braking action.