Abstract: A flat panel display system for an aircraft display includes a graphics rendering computer for rendering of anti-aliased graphical imaging data derived from aircraft sensors for full-field imaging on a cockpit display screen. A comparator processor independently generates, from the same sensor data, a selected subset or “points of light” of the display screen image and compares the points of light data to the data generated by the rendering computer for the same display screen pixel locations. The minimized processing requirements and simplified design of the comparator processor enable ready FAA certification of the comparator processor, whereas the extreme complexity and processing operations required of the rendering computer make FAA certification thereof unusually time consuming and expensive.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for generating a vertical situational image of a vehicle. The apparatus for generating a vertical situational image of the vehicle is comprised of an input device configured to receive flight plan data of the vehicle and a situational display configured to produce the vertical situational image from the flight plan data. The apparatus for generating a vertical situational image of the vehicle is further comprised of a processing device that is configured to receive the flight plan data from the input device, generate a first segment having a first slope in a first viewable range of the vertical situational image from the flight plan data and determine the first segment in a second viewable range of the vertical situational image.

Abstract: An integrated display for displaying navigation and communication information from a plurality of sources on a single screen provides an overall picture of selected information. A graphical representation of the relationship between predetermined types of selected information is also provided. Visual representations of various components provide information and identify active components and data paths. A warning indication alerts to specific conditions and alternate modes of display operation are provided in response to specific component failures.

Abstract: A ground proximity warning system including a pitch angle alerting device, the pitch angle alerting device including warning logic having an input that is structured to receive a signal that is representative of the indicated pitch angle of the aircraft, the warning logic being structured to determine a difference between a pitch angle signal received on the input and a predetermined threshold, the warning logic being structured also to output a signal representative of the difference between the two signals; and an advisory indication generator coupled to accept the output of the warning logic, the advisory indication generator being structured to generate an advisory indication signal as a function of the difference between the two signals.

Abstract: In an aircraft flight information display system, a viewing surface of the display presents an observer with a view of the flight space forward of the aircraft. The viewing surface includes a section displaying a translucent plane of flight of the aircraft along its lateral axis having as an upper bound a line transverse to the lateral axis. The portion of the flight space upward of the plane of flight of the aircraft is displayed as a second section of the flight space above the line. Information of the features of terrain in the flight space, flight parameters of the aircraft and TCAS information is processed to form images of the terrain and traffic in relation to the translucent plane of flight of the aircraft. Terrain and traffic features are rendered in different colors according to their location with respect to the plane of flight. A series of ring-like indicia are displayed in the translucent plane to indicate the distance ranges in the plane of flight of the aircraft.

Abstract: An aircraft display apparatus combines a flight path vector group with a potential thrust indicator. The display apparatus comprises a display screen and a pitch ladder symbol, a horizontal line and a flight path vector group displayed on the display screen. The flight path vector group comprises a flight path vector symbol, a potential flight path vector symbol, and a potential thrust symbol. The potential thrust symbol further comprises a thrust and drag limit symbol and at least one throttle symbol. The flight path vector group is oriented on the display screen in relation to the pitch ladder and the horizontal line. The position of the potential thrust symbol relative to the pitch ladder, flight path vector symbol and the potential flight path vector symbol represents current engine power and power limits of the aircraft.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel methods for depicting glide range on moving map displays and on perspective-view primary flight displays. These methods involve processing data gathered from various aircraft sensors and, using a variety of electronic databases, generating intuitive symbols that aid the pilot.

Abstract: The indicator (1A) according to the invention comprises means (13) for determining first and second target values respectively of a variable and of its derivative with respect to time, and display means (5, 6, 7) which depict on a display screen (7) a means of indication (14) of the first target value, which is arranged in such a way as to indicate this first target value on a graduated scale (8), and a means of indication (16B) of the second target value which is associated at least with an indicator element (11) indicating said derivative so that, when the latter points toward said means of indication (16B), said variable of the aircraft becomes equal to and remains equal to said first target value and said derivative is equal to said second target value.

Abstract: A self contained electronic system for manual or automatic control and navigation of fixed winged aircraft using electronic position sensing such as GPS, DGPS, WAAS, and the like, as the primary sensor and making use of known flight characteristics of the aircraft to determine aircraft attitude without any interaction with the aircraft, its controls, or the outside environment and without any moving mechanical devices other than switches, dials and connectors. The automatic and visual interface between the system and the pilot provides for simplified flight controls, and a new solution to the hazard of disorientation, and will reduce the time needed for a pilot to become proficient in VFR and instrument flying. A single instrument replaces many of the conventional instruments used for flight. Navigation data is provided in an easy to understand graphical format. The pilot is told explicitly where to move aircraft controls.

Abstract: In an altitude and vertical speed indicator for aircraft, an altitude indicator includes a graduated scale vertically mobile past a fixed marker and a vertical speed indicator includes a pointer rotatable about the point of intersection of a straight line segment through the fixed marker and a straight line segment through the pointer and pointing towards the mobile scale. The angle defined by the fixed marker and the pointer is representative of the vertical speed value.

Abstract: A process and system are disclosed for representing flight guiding information for an aircraft. A spatial representation of the air space with at least one horizon and the previously calculated flight path of the aircraft is represented by means of video equipment. The representation of the previously calculated flight path includes the previously calculated position and previously calculated attitude of the aircraft at different moments in time. The previously calculated flight path is represented by at least two bodies which extend along the flight path and of which at least one is represented to the left of the flight path and at least one is represented to the right of the flight path.

Abstract: A system and method of estimating the attitude of a spacecraft is disclosed. A three-axis inertial-based estimate of spacecraft attitude is produced and is compared to a stellar-based estimate of spacecraft attitude. A Kalman filter having states associated with gyro scale factor and/or misalignment errors compares the stellar-based attitude estimate to the inertial-based estimate of attitude and apportions the total error into three time varying matrices. A first time varying matrix is associated with gyro scale factor and misalignment errors, a second time varying matrix is associated with gyro bias errors, and a third time varying matrix is associated with attitude errors. The time varying matrices are applied as corrective feedbacks to the inertial-based estimate of spacecraft attitude and are adaptively adjusted to minimize the error therein.

Abstract: A selected hover altitude deviation display and method for displaying the difference between the current altitude of an aircraft and a selected hover altitude on a multi-functional display unit that includes a compass rose and an aircraft symbol. An altitude sensor generates current altitude data, which is transmitted to a computer processing unit together with a selected hover altitude. The selected hover altitude is determined by the pilot of the aircraft. The selected hover altitude is displayed as a static, analog symbolic representation on the multi-functional display unit. The hover altitude deviation is displayed as a dynamic, analog symbolic representation of the difference between the current altitude of the aircraft and the selected hover altitude. With the selected hover altitude deviation display, the pilot can readily see if his aircraft is above or below a selected hover altitude without relying on external visual reference cues.

Abstract: Redundant avionics for flight instruments: a plurality of aircraft flight data sensors, which provide data that are normally displayed on indicators in the cockpit, are transmitted to two independent computers. Each computer is associated with and creates images representative of data sensed by the sensors on a respective projected image display creation device which is in the form of a liquid crystal display, for example. Associated illumination sources and one common or two respective sets of optics project the images from each image creation device on a new screen. The image creation device and the optics would cause the image representative of data from the same sensor to be projected to the same location on the screen regardless of which computer and image creation device provided and projected the image. The computers are independently operable for selectively causing the display of information corresponding to data received from none, some or all of the sensors.

Abstract: An aircraft display apparatus combines a flight path vector group with a potential thrust indicator. The display apparatus comprises a display screen and a pitch ladder symbol, a horizontal line and a flight path vector group displayed on the display screen. The flight path vector group comprises a flight path vector symbol, a potential flight path vector symbol, and a potential thrust symbol. The potential thrust symbol further comprises a thrust and drag limit symbol and at least one throttle symbol. The flight path vector group is oriented on the display screen in relation to the pitch ladder and the horizontal line. The position of the potential thrust symbol relative to the pitch ladder, flight path vector symbol and the potential flight path vector symbol represents current engine power and power limits of the aircraft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for aiding the piloting of an aircraft, especially a rotary-wing aircraft, in particular a helicopter. According to the invention, said device (1) comprises first means (2) for determining, on the one hand, the slope and the heading of a preset path of the aircraft and, on the other hand, the slope and the heading of a flight path which the aircraft can take in order to join up with the preset path, and second means (3) for presenting, on a display screen (5), simultaneously a first characteristic sign (S1), whose position on the display screen (5) is representative of the slope and of the heading of the preset path and a second characteristic sign (S2), whose position on the display screen (5) is representative of the slope and of the heading of the flight path.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device (1) for assistance with the maintenance of an aircraft, especially of a helicopter, intended for replaying maintenance information. According to the invention, data relating to the operation of the said aircraft are recorded, with a view to their being replayed in the form of maintenance information, these data being accessible to a monitoring and visual display system (2) of the said aircraft, and only data capable of being visually displayed by the said monitoring and visual display system (2) are recorded with a view to presenting them to at least one pilot of the said aircraft.

Abstract: Indicator of a variable for an aircraft. The indicator (1A) according to the invention comprises means (13) for determining first and second target values respectively of a variable and of its derivative with respect to time, and display means (5, 6, 7) which depict on a display screen (7) a means of indication (14) of the first target value, which is arranged in such a way as to indicate this first target value on a graduated scale (8), and a means of indication (16B) of the second target value which is associated at least with an indicator element (11) indicating said derivative so that, when the latter points toward said means of indication (16B), said variable of the aircraft becomes equal to and remains equal to said first target value and said derivative is equal to said second target value.

Abstract: Process and device using a flight management system (FMS) for aiding aerial navigation. To facilitate the task of the pilot, the FMS carries out a dialogue with the pilot via a data display and input console (MCDU), which displays a list of tasks to be executed in the form of a succession of selectable and activatable main zones. Each zone corresponds to a task, executed via the console, and when the task has been executed (validation key actuated by the pilot), the list of tasks is redisplayed, with the zones for which tasks have been executed and validated appearing in a different color from other zones. The zones preferably appear in duplicate when there is a co-pilot, so that it is easy to see which tasks have been performed and by which pilot, and which tasks remain to be performed.

Abstract: A combined altitude and height-above-ground indicator for an aircraft includes a first sensor and a second sensor which respectively sense altitude and height-above-ground, a processor for processing the information supplied by the first and second sensors, and a display for displaying the altitude and height-above-ground information, showing the two items of information against each other, on the same scale against at least one pointer.

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing physical parameters of flight data at a plurality of discrete locations about a surface of an aircraft includes a multisensor system having an array of belts. Each belt includes a plurality of interconnected belt segments including a substrate having an electrically conductive digital data bus, and at least one module having a first sensor, a second sensor and a digital signal processor, and a coating for protecting the belt segment. The first and second sensors, which are preferably formed as microelectromechanical sensors sharing a common substrate, respectively generate signals representative of a first physical parameter and a second physical parameter. The processor receives and analyzes the first and second signals to generate a third signal. The third signal is transmitted along the electrically-conductive bus to a remotely-located controller.

Abstract: A device for assisting the piloting of a vehicle by instruments. Various indications are displayed on an aircraft head-up view finder including a horizontal line graduated in terms of heading, a perpendicular line graduated in terms of atitude, an aircraft symbol representing the direction of the longitudinal axis of the aircraft above the horizontal line and a velocity vector symbol representing the tracking slope followed by the aircraft with respect to the ground. These are determined with respect to the tracking and atitude scales. The guidance window whose position is references with respect to the same axis is also displayed. The pilot must control the aircraft as to bring the velocity vector into the guidance window and keep it there. The window is placed on the screen at a position which is computed by the computer and which corresponds to the direction of a point of the desired path of the aircraft, this point being at a predetermined distance ahead of the aircraft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an indicator for monitoring the path of an aircraft in a horizontal plane, comprising:sensors delivering information relating to said aircraft,means for processing the information delivered by said sensors,means for displaying the signals delivered by said processing means presenting on a display screen:a symbol (11) portraying the position of the aircraft, the extensions of which designate the longitudinal (X--X) and transverse (Y--Y) axes of the aircraft,a compass rose (10) which can move in rotation about said symbol.According to the invention, said compass rose (10) presents a deformation along at least one of said longitudinal (X--X) and transverse (Y--Y) axes.

Abstract: Aircraft display symbology provides quantitative deceleration information in relation to a pilot familiar reference on a HUD system combiner. The symbology displayed includes a deceleration scale composed of a series of marks that provide a known reference for the display of deceleration information. The number of marks on the scale and the positioning and labeling of the marks can be tailored for a particular aircraft type. In a preferred embodiment, the deceleration scale is displayed along and proximal to the vertical path traveled by an aircraft acceleration symbol, which indicates the actual longitudinal acceleration or deceleration of the aircraft. The offset distance of the aircraft acceleration symbol below an aircraft reference or "boresight" symbol shows the actual (inertial) deceleration during landing rollout and rejected takeoff.

Abstract: An engine control system for a first aircraft belonging to a family of aircraft which includes at least a second aircraft, the first aircraft having a maximum mass which is greater, within a predetermined limit, than that of the second aircraft. For an engine of the first aircraft, a first thrust command law controls a thrust of an engine of the first aircraft during take-off phase (T), and a second thrust command law, controls a thrust of the engine to correspond with a part of the thrust command laws applicable to the second aircraft during all other flight phases (R) of the first aircraft. The transition from one flight phase to another is detected to supply the engine with a control signal corresponding to one or the other of the first thrust command law or the second thrust command law.

Abstract: According to a method for representing information for guiding the flight of an aircraft, the airspace with at least one horizon and the precalculated flight path of the aircraft are three-dimensionally represented by means of an image display device and means for positioning one or several aircraft therein are provided. The aircraft symbols are merged into the representation of the airspace. Preferably, the other aircraft are each represented by a symbol corresponding to their position in the airspace and by at least one line represented in perspective from the point of view of the aircraft concerned.

Abstract: An integrated flight control indicator for providing visual information indicative of aircraft flight parameters has a sky arc and an earth arc which are visually distinguishable from one another. The sky arc and the earth arc cooperate to generally define a circle wherein the relative lengths of the sky arc and the earth arc indicate the pitch of the aircraft. A horizon line extends approximately between the two intersections of the sky arc and the earth arc so as to provide a visual indication of the roll of the aircraft. Other indicia are provided for indicating radar or barometric altitude, vertical speed, heading, ground track, minimum altitude break, etc. Thus, the present invention provides a visual indication suitable for use in instrument panel displays, heads-up display, and helmet-mounted displays.

Abstract: A two-stage alarm for a rotary wing aircraft, such as a helicopter which operates on a collective control arm. A moveable mass or weight is operatively connected to the collective control arm. The moveable weight may be of a reciprocating type or a rotor driven mass which is mounted eccentrically for rotation about an axs which is spaced from the center of gravity of the weight. In the latter case, a D.C. motor spins the weight rapidly about the axis at a first speed to produce a shaking action to the collective control arm as a warning of an approaching danger. The weight is moved more rapidly to produce a much more noticeable action at a second frequency, or at an increased amplitude as a warning of a more imminent or serious condition which requires immediate action.

Abstract: A collision avoidance device for an aircraft of the type comprises means for the geographical localization of the aircraft, means for the computation, for each geographical place, of a safety floor above which the aircraft must be positioned, means to predict the position in the air of the aircraft between a first given instant and a second given instant and means to compare the predicted position in the air of the aircraft with respect to the specified security floor. The safety floor, which is used for the comparison, is consolidated beforehand by means of a sensor that detects the obstacles in a forward sector of the aircraft and provides means with measurements enabling the computation of the altitude of these obstacles with respect to a reference level. The disclosed device has the advantage of enabling a reduction in the risk of delayed alarms and harmful alarms.

Abstract: A method and apparatus using a simplified language consistent with air traffic control syntax for inputting, displaying and controlling the operation of a flight management system of an aircraft to comply with the instructions received by the pilot from the air traffic controller.

Abstract: An altimeter is disclosed which includes an arcuate top portion and an arcuate bottom portion. Side portions connect the arcuate top portion to the arcuate bottom portion. The side portions have a curvature less than a curvature of the top portion or the bottom portion, thus giving the altimeter a narrower footprint while preserving important features of conventional dial-type altimeters. An indicator moves about the perimeter of the altimeter based on altitude information, thus displaying altitude of the aircraft.

Abstract: A virtual image display system for aircraft is operative to identify threat systems that are proximal the flight path of an aircraft when the aircraft is within the threat range of such threat systems. The virtual image display system is further operative to generate three-dimensional threat envelopes of identified threat systems and to display real-time perspective video images of such three-dimensional threat envelopes for viewing by the pilot.

Abstract: According to a process for representing information for guiding the flight of an aircraft, the airspace with at least one horizon and the precalculated flight path of the aircraft are three-dimensionally represented by means of animage display device and the surface above the horizon is subdivided into strips of different colours which extend parallel to the horizon. When the point of the precalculated flight path of the aircraft coincides with its shadow, the symbol that represents said precalculated flight path advantageously takes the position of the shadow projected on the ground. The shadow is preferably represented by a transparent design.

Abstract: An aircraft display combines speed error tapes and multiple speed reference bugs to produce a display which reduces pilot workload. The length of the speed error tape is indicative of the difference between a current aircraft speed and a reference speed. Multiple reference bugs are adjacent to the error tape and are indicative of the difference between the current aircraft speed and other selected reference speeds. The reference bugs move along the error tape thereby communicating the status of the current aircraft speed relative to the multiple reference speeds. The display reduces the need for the pilot to scan and analyze numerous instruments for the same information.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive sparkless switching device includes a layer of piezoresistive cellular polymer foam, at least two conductive layers, and an insulative spacer element having at least one opening. When pressure is applied to the device the piezoresistive foam disposes itself through the opening of the spacer element and makes electrical contact between the conductive layers. The resistance of the piezoresistive foam varies with the amount of pressure applied to provide an analog as well as on-off function. The device may also provide multiple switching, and shear detection capabilities.

Abstract: The disclosed optoelectronic device is designed to facilitate the piloting of an aircraft under conditions of poor visibility, notably during landing at the stage when the aircraft approaches a runway. It consists of a collimator which displays, in addition to the artificial skyline, miniature aircraft index and attitude bars, a slope scale positioned across and on either side of the artificial skyline, at the position of the selected course chosen by the pilot. This slope scale, depicted in the form of a line of dots spaced out at one slope degree, enables the pilot to be presented simultaneously with information on selected course and slope and enables the determining of pitch attitude with high precision.

Abstract: A new aircraft cockpit instrument panel display system for showing the operating status of different aircraft systems is disclosed. The color display includes a plurality of display segments. Each display segment combines trend qualitative information of the direction of movement of aircraft system parameters, categorical qualitative information of whether aircraft system parameters are inside or outside acceptable ranges, and quantitative information of the actual level of aircraft system parameters. Trend information is indicated by an analog dial display element having a moving needle to indicate rising, falling or constant values of the parameter. The dial display also includes peg positions to indicate that the value of a system parameter has "pegged" at its lowest or highest value. Categorical qualitative information is indicated by the color of the dial, generally green for safe values, yellow for cautionary values and red for danger values. Quantitative information is indicated by a digital indicator.

Abstract: A method of transmitting real time digital video, audio and composite signals along existing delivery circuit and transmission pathways that takes advantage of unused bandwidth in existing transmission spectrums and circuit pathways. The invention permits the delivery of messages, commands and data files which may be presented later to the consumer at a predefined time and place and in a predefined format allowing the transmission of CD quality digital sound, digital video and bitmap files to a consumer, group of consumers or consumer population. The method and apparatus described transmits information and data to the consumer in a non real-time background mode which may be stored in a local repository for future presentation. Presentation parameters are transmitted either concurrently with or subsequently to information and data. The method may be employed on a wide variety of platforms including television, cable, satellite, telephone networks, private and public data networks and dedicated lines.

Abstract: An aircraft flight instrument display panel (10) has a combined speed and heading indicator in the form of a central square (11) surrounded by a scaled matrix (12). Displacement of an aircraft (100), in which the display is installed, from a desired speed and heading being indicated by displacement of an aircraft symbol (14) in the y and x directions from the central square. The aircraft (100) has an attitude sensor system (102) and the flight instrument display (108) has a flight instrument control system (104), the attitude sensor system and the flight instrument control system having an interconnection (106) with control laws such that, when the aircraft (100) is displaced from its desired speed and heading, pilot adjustment of pitch and roll, respectively, in a manner tending to return the aircraft (100) to the desired speed and heading, causes the aircraft symbol (14) to move towards the central symmetrical square (11).

Abstract: An exhaust gas temperature indicator for a gas turbine engine is disclosed in which data representing discrete overtemperature events occurring at different times is stored in a nonvolatile memory for later retrieval and display on an event-by-event basis. A character display is used to provide detailed digital, alphanumeric or other character information relating to each overtemperature event, such as the number, temperature zone, peak temperature and duration of the event. An indicator is provided for indicating the presence of unacknowledged temperature data in the memory device, and a maximum exhaust gas temperature value for an aircraft flight is stored. An analog display for continuously displaying current exhaust gas temperature values is provided in conjunction with a character display for displaying either current or stored values.

Abstract: A process and device for detecting the current phase of operation of a system with multiple phases of operation. According to the invention, the operation is partitioned into a set of phases (I to X) from which is chosen a reference phase (I). The set of possible switches to the other phases is determined for each phase. And, a set of parameters is defined for each of the switches, the set of parameters being characteristic of the switch. The sets of parameters are continuously detected. The chain of switches actually involved is determined on the basis of the reference phase (I) with the aid of variations in the parameters, and the current phase of operation is deduced from the chain of switches. Although the invention is applicable to numerous systems, one such system to which it is applicable is the operation of a transport airplane.

Abstract: A mission computer (10) stores a nominal route plan which includes information indicative of the precise arrival time at specific navigation positions, e.g., waypoints, and the planned fuel consumption during travel to the specified waypoints. The mission computer (10) provides a time and fuel display system (15) with the route plan information. The time and fuel display system (15) generates a display (200) which indicates the total distance to be traveled during the mission (202), a distance traveled indicator (212) to reflect the progress of the aircraft along the mission, and a time bar (205) and a fuel bar (207) the height of which with respect to the indicator (212) are indicative of the percentage that the current time and fuel values are over or under the planned values for the current waypoint. The distance traveled indicator (212) is labeled with a waypoint designation (215) which is indicative of the designation of the waypoint towards which the aircraft is currently flying.

Abstract: A vehicle location system and method whereby the position coordinates of a vehicle are made available to other vehicles or to fixed locations by transmission of a data message containing position coordinates of the vehicle. The time slot in which the data message is transmitted is uniquely assigned to each transmitting vehicle as a function of its position in a grid segment with respect to a reference waypoint assigned to that grid segment. Position information in latitude and longitude is provided to each receiving vehicle, together with a precise timing signal, by the Global Positioning System (GPS), or by the Global Orbiting Navigational Satellite System (GLONASS), or by both systems. A synthetic latitude function and a synthetic longitude function provide a periodic mapping of a specific time period onto areas represented by grid segments charted on the global surface. These synthetic functions are initiated and controlled by the precise timing signal from the GPS or GLONASS systems.

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for displaying flight management information for an aircraft, a three-dimensional display of the flight space with at least one horizon and the predicted flight path of the aircraft is effected by means of an image reproduction device. The predicted flight path is preferably displayed as a series of symbols which assume, within the flight space displayed, the predicted position and the predicted altitude of the aircraft with respect to the flight space at different points in time.

Abstract: An aircraft control and display system having a multifunction display for configuring the vehicle flight parameters and control of mission equipment utilizes a dedicated alphanumeric display as a scratchpad memory for temporarily displaying IFF mode commands encoded in alphanumeric form and for changing an IFF transponder code, thereby obviating the use of the multifunction display and the need thereby for reprogramming the mission functions. Codes entered in the alphanumeric display are validated against codes stored in a master control processor unit, whereby a prompt is provided to the operator to reenter the code in the event of an error in entry or an invalid code.

Abstract: One side of a primary flight display has a vertical airspeed scale, a round dial display, and a window. The round dial display provides global or macro airspeed information and a digital display of a present airspeed value is provided in the window. A vertical altitude scale is located on a second side of the PFD with a second round dial located along the altitude scale. The second dial is configured to provide a predetermined amount of rotation of the pointer for a predetermined change in altitude. A second window located along the altitude scale provides a digital present value of altitude.

Abstract: One side of a primary flight display has an elongated vertically disposed airspeed dial display which provides global or macro airspeed information. A rolling drum display provides a digital display of a present value of airspeed. An elongated vertically disposed altitude dial display is located on a second side of the primary flight display. The second dial display is configured to provide a predetermined amount of rotation of the pointer for a lo predetermined change in altitude. A second rolling drum display provides a digital present value of altitude. The elongated dial displays provide greatly expanded display areas and improved readout resolution.

Abstract: An improved flight control system with an enhanced unified graphic mistrim indicator where the flight control computer provides signals to a single mistrim indicator wherein the signals represent the status of the control surfaces of the aircraft and the mistrim indicator displays a single movable reference marker, which is caused to be translated vertically in the event of pitch mistrim, is caused to be rotated right or left in the case of roll mistrim conditions, is caused to be translated right or left in the case of yaw mistrim conditions or is caused to be moved in a combination of ways either translating vertically, horizontally or rotating in order to represent a combination of pitch, roll or yaw mistrim.

Abstract: An aircraft display system has a display unit comprising a matrix array of LED's mounted in the glareshield. Air traffic command signals received by a datalink processor produce a visual indication on the display unit which is visible to the pilot when looking through the window. A button on the display unit is pressed by the pilot to acknowledge receipt of instructions. Other important messages are displayed by the display unit at different times. Radar altimeter height is displayed in a color which changes when the aircraft descends below its flare height. When on the ground, the display unit displays alphanumerically the distance-to-go to the end of the runway, and simultaneously displays stripes that move horizontally to indicate deviation of the aircraft from the runway center line.

Abstract: A virtual image display system provides video displays based upon virtual images of the external world having synchronized structural outlines superimposed on the video displays to a pilot operating an aircraft such as a helicopter in non-visual flight conditions.