Abstract: A flight display system for providing a visualization of an assumed lateral and vertical flight path on an avionic display for an aircraft performing energy management during an approach procedure, and methods for producing the same. The system improves upon available human-machine interfaces (HMI) by providing information not otherwise available; that being, a visualization of an assumed lateral and vertical flight path to assist the flight crew in making adjustments to the configuration of the aircraft when the aircraft is making an approach to an airport.

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: Methods, systems, and aircraft systems providing visual affordances for human-machine interfaces are described. The system includes a controller architecture coupled to touch screen device. The controller architecture receives a configuration file (config file) for a control element, parses it to identify a force functionality component and force threshold therein. The controller renders the control element on a graphical user interface (GUI) on the touch screen device using a visual representation of the force functionality component of the control element in accordance with a selected format scheme. The controller modifies the visual representation of the control element as a function of a pressure of a user's touch on the control element on the GUI, also in accordance with the selected format scheme.

Abstract: A visualization assistance system for providing visual assistance to flight crew on an ownship aircraft is provided. The visualization assistance system comprises a controller configured to: receive a designation of a target aircraft for the ownship aircraft to follow requiring execution of a turn to join a track behind the target aircraft; receive flight crew specified spacing information comprising a minimum separation level to be maintained between the designated target aircraft and the ownship aircraft; predict an amount of travel for the ownship aircraft before commencing the turn that after completion joins the ownship aircraft at a joining point to the track behind the target aircraft and maintains the specified minimum separation level; and cause the predicted amount of travel to be graphically displayed on a flight deck display for use by the flight crew when determining when to initiate the turn to join the track behind the target aircraft.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for optimizing aircraft operations using uplink weather data to identify predicted turbulent conditions. The method comprises uploading current weather data to a flight management system (FMS) of an aircraft. Areas of turbulence are identified according to the uploaded weather data including areas of turbulence along the client flight trajectory stored in the FMS of the aircraft. An optimal turbulence penetration speed is planned for each identified area of turbulence. The estimated time of arrival (ETA) and minimum and maximum estimate time of arrival (ETA min/max) for the aircraft is recalculated based on the optimal turbulence penetration speeds. The recalculated ETA and ETA min/max is automatically transmitted to an air traffic control (ATC) authority with the FMS of the aircraft.

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: A system for providing visual cues to flight crew on multiple displays during an approach is provided. The system is configured to: position, on a synthetic vision system (SVS) and/or head-up display (HUD), one or more traffic icons each representative of a lead aircraft ahead of the ownship; designate a lead aircraft as traffic to follow (TTF) via selection of a first traffic icon representative of one lead aircraft displayed on a navigation display and via selection of a second traffic icon representative of the same lead aircraft displayed on the SVS, wherein selection of either the first traffic icon or the second traffic icon results in designation of the selected lead aircraft as TTF and results in both the first traffic icon and the second traffic icon to more visually stand out; and position, on a horizontal situation indicator, a third TTF icon representative of the lead aircraft when a TTF has been designated.

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: Methods and systems are provided for optimizing aircraft operations using uplink weather data to identify predicted turbulent conditions. The method comprises uploading current weather data to a flight management system (FMS) of an aircraft. Areas of turbulence are identified according to the uploaded weather data including areas of turbulence along the client flight trajectory stored in the FMS of the aircraft. An optimal turbulence penetration speed is planned for each identified area of turbulence. The estimated time of arrival (ETA) and minimum and maximum estimate time of arrival (ETA min/max) for the aircraft is recalculated based on the optimal turbulence penetration speeds. The recalculated ETA and ETA min/max is automatically transmitted to an air traffic control (ATC) authority with the FMS of the aircraft.