Abstract: A method and apparatus for presenting information to operate an aircraft over terrain. A vertical profile view of the terrain is displayed relative to a location of the aircraft. A number of curves are displayed on the vertical profile view. The number of curves identify a climb capability for the aircraft based on a potential state for the aircraft.

Abstract: The advantageous embodiments provide a method and apparatus for presenting information to operate an aircraft over terrain. A vertical profile view of the terrain is displayed relative to a location of the aircraft. A number of curves are displayed on the vertical profile view. The number of curves identifies a number of maximum heights of the terrain that the aircraft can clear based on a current state of the aircraft.

Abstract: A method for indicating a relative altitude of a vehicle includes obtaining, from at least one navigation instrument, a current geographic position and a current altitude of the vehicle. One or more geographic areas substantially surrounding the current geographic position is defined. A minimum safe altitude (MSA) is determined for each geographic area based at least in part on a minimum clearance height and a maximum terrain elevation or a maximum obstruction elevation within the geographic area. A relative altitude representing the current altitude of the vehicle relative to the MSA for each geographic area is determined. A relative altitude indicator is displayed via a presentation device for each geographic area based at least in part on the corresponding relative altitude. A relative altitude indicator corresponding to an MSA below the current altitude is graphically distinguished from a relative altitude indicator corresponding to an MSA above the current altitude.

Abstract: A method for indicating a relative altitude of a vehicle includes obtaining, from at least one navigation instrument, a current geographic position and a current altitude of the vehicle. One or more geographic areas substantially surrounding the current geographic position is defined. A minimum safe altitude (MSA) is determined for each geographic area based at least in part on a minimum clearance height and a maximum terrain elevation or a maximum obstruction elevation within the geographic area. A relative altitude representing the current altitude of the vehicle relative to the MSA for each geographic area is determined. A relative altitude indicator is displayed via a presentation device for each geographic area based at least in part on the corresponding relative altitude. A relative altitude indicator corresponding to an MSA below the current altitude is graphically distinguished from a relative altitude indicator corresponding to an MSA above the current altitude.