Abstract: A method for automatic control of an aircraft in event of flight crew incapacity may include determining any incapacity of the flight crew. The method may also include providing a message requiring acknowledgement from the flight crew in response determining incapacity of the flight crew. The method may additionally include commanding an auto pilot to control the aircraft in response to not receiving acknowledgement from the flight crew.

Abstract: A method for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) using an electronic device obtains movement data of the electronic device detected by an accelerometer of the electronic device, and converts the movement data of the electronic device to control signals. The method further sends the control signals to the UAV, and changes a flight status of the UAV according to the control signals.

Abstract: A six degree-of-freedom trajectory linearization controller (TLC) architecture (30) for a fixed-wing aircraft (46) is set forth. The TLC architecture (30) calculates nominal force and moment commands by dynamic inversion of the nonlinear equations of motion. A linear time-varying (LTV) tracking error regulator provides exponential stability of the tracking error dynamics and robustness to model uncertainty and error. The basic control loop includes a closed-loop, LTV stabilizing controller (12), a pseudo-inverse plant model (14), and a nonlinear plant model(16). Four of the basic control loops (34, 36, 40, 42) are nested to form the TLC architecture (30).

Abstract: A method for regulating an actuator for a control surface is provided, which actuator has an angular position controlled by an autopilot on an aircraft with mechanical flight control. When the value of the torque exerted by the actuator is less than a threshold torque value, the actuator is regulated in terms of position and the maximum speed of movement of the control surface is limited to a value that is dependent on the torque value. When the value of the torque exerted by the actuator is greater than the threshold torque value, the actuator is regulated in terms of torque.

Abstract: An automatic trim system and method is disclosed for automatically trimming a flight control surface of an aircraft. A force sensor measures a force applied by a pilot to a flight control system actuator. The length of time that the force is applied by the pilot is then timed by a timer. A trim system to reduce the applied force is included on the flight control surfaces. A processor determines if trim is required if a predetermined amount of time is exceeded based on the force sensor measurement. The processor can set the trim system to the trim required therein. An airspeed sensor is used to verify that the aircraft has sufficient speed for flight. A force sensor can be utilized to measure the input force being applied by the pilot. If a pilot input force is applied to the controls and the aircraft is in a steady state, a timer can be activated.

Abstract: An automatic-piloting system configured for being set on a receiver aircraft and for controlling operations of in-flight refuelling of said receiver aircraft, comprising: first detection means, set on the receiver aircraft and configured for acquiring first geometrical information associated to a first detection area and a second detection area belonging to a tanker aircraft, the first and second detection areas being linked together by a geometrical relation known to the automatic-piloting system; processing means, configured for determining, on the basis of the first geometrical information acquired, first position information associated to a relative position of the receiver aircraft with respect to the tanker aircraft; and an automatic-pilot device coupled to the processing means and configured for varying flight parameters of the receiver aircraft on the basis of the first position information.

Abstract: A method for velocity profile based approach to point control for an aircraft includes determining a distance from the aircraft to a target point; determining a velocity command based on the distance to the target point and a desired acceleration; and issuing the velocity command. A velocity profile based approach to point control module for an aircraft and a computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium containing computer code that, when executed by a computer, implements a method for velocity profile based approach to point control are also provided.

Abstract: An aircraft control system is described having an Automatic Monitoring System (“AMS”), an Aircraft Parameter Management Computer (“APC”), and a Flight Management Computer (“FMC”) to monitor the parameters of the aircraft automatically and to fly the aircraft without requiring a pilot to fly. The system respond to data within the systems and with data provided by a communication/navigation aid of the airport. The built-in systems of the aircraft process the data to allow pilotless operation of the aircraft along a predetermined route while maintaining proper spacing from prior art and other automated aircraft. An aircraft in accordance with the invention utilizes programmed software, electronics circuit and feedback system to fly the aircraft within the designated/destined routes and airports automatically while providing increased security by preventing accidents caused by incorrect or unauthorized human influence.

Abstract: A method of aiding the piloting of an airplane ensures the availability of an automatic pilot and a thrust regulation system on board the airplane. To this end, the method includes determining first information by measuring the actual airspeed of the airplane, and this first information is used to control the automatic pilot and the thrust regulation system in a primary mode during normal operations of the airplane. When the first information is lost by becoming unavailable or unreliable, the automatic pilot and the thrust regulation system are each controlled in a secondary mode by control parameters determined using additional flight data independent from the actual airspeed of the airplane and the first information. Consequently, an alternative or redundant control is supplied for ensuring the continued operation of an automatic pilot without necessary intervention from crew members on board the airplane.

Abstract: A method and module for displaying a munition release envelope.

Abstract: In certain aspects, this invention is a “control system” that detects and minimizes (or otherwise optimizes) an angle between vehicle centerline (or other reference axis) and vehicle velocity vector—as for JDAM penetration. Preferably detection is exclusively by optical flow (which herein encompasses sonic and other imaging), without data influence by navigation. In other aspects, the invention is a “guidance system”, with optical-flow subsystem to detect an angle between the vehicle velocity vector and line of sight to a destination—either a desired or an undesired destination. Here, vehicle trajectory is adjusted in response to detected angle, for optimum angle, e.g. to either home in on a desired destination or avoid an undesired destination (or rendezvous), and follow a path that's ideal for the particular mission—preferably by controlling an autopilot or applying information from navigation.

Abstract: A method of controlling the flight of a rotorcraft in a feed-forward/feedback architecture includes utilizing an aircraft plant model to control the rotorcraft performance; determining when an external load is coupled to the rotorcraft; and modifying an inverse plant when the external load is present.

Abstract: A method to facilitate securing of air-to-ground communications for an aircraft is provided. The method includes receiving security management information at the aircraft via at least one broadband data link prior to takeoff of the aircraft. The security management information is received for ground entities that can be communicatively coupled with the aircraft traveling on a flight path. The method of securing avionics also includes validating the security management information for the ground entities, and storing the validated security management information for the ground entities in the aircraft. The validating and storing of security management information occur prior to takeoff of the aircraft.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a display of geographical data on a primary display device to assist in navigating a mobile platform such as an aircraft, ship, train, land-based motor vehicle, etc. The system includes a graphical user interface module (GUI) for receiving a plurality of user inputs, and an image control module. The GUI generates a primary display of the complete route being traveled on the primary display device. If the entire route does not fit on the display device, then the image control module generates data that the GUI uses to generate a context display on the primary display device. The context display presents the entire route as a smaller image on the primary display device, simultaneously with the primary display. The user inputs for the GUI enable the user to zoom, pan and perform other image control operations on either the primary display or the context display.

Abstract: An aircraft, which has a respective arrangement of flow-influencing devices in at least one surface segment of each wing extending in the wingspan direction in order to influence the fluid flow over the surface segment, and of flow condition sensor devices for measuring the flow condition on the respective segment, and a flight control device, wherein the flight control device has a flow-influencing target parameter setting device connected with the arrangement of flow-influencing devices for generating target parameters for the flow-influencing devices of the at least one surface segment, wherein the flow-influencing devices are designed in such a way as to use the target parameters to change the local lift coefficients or correlations between the drag and lift coefficients in the segment where respectively located.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for replacing legs in an air navigation procedure described as a series of legs, the legs forming part of an initial family of legs. The method includes: a step of determining a restricted family of legs included in the initial family of legs, so that each leg not belonging to the restricted family corresponds to a combination of legs belonging to the restricted family: The method also includes: a step of replacing in the navigation procedure the legs not belonging to the restricted family with combinations of legs belonging to the restricted family.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing passive crowd-sourced alternate route recommendations. In one embodiment, locations of users of a number of mobile location-aware devices are tracked over time. Upon receiving a request, users of mobile location-aware devices that have traveled from a desired start location to a desired stop location are identified. Location histories for the identified users are analyzed to determine one or more different routes taken from the desired start location to the desired stop location. The one or more different routes, or a select subset thereof, are then returned to the requestor as recommended alternate routes.

Abstract: A range estimation device for use in an aerial platform including at least one passive sensor, a trajectory determination unit and a control system. A control unit is arranged to indicate to the control system to perform own-ship maneuvering of the aerial platform such that characteristics of passive sensor measurements from the at least one passive sensor enable a range estimation to a target to be determined. The control unit is arranged to determine characteristics of the own-ship maneuvering based on the range uncertainty estimations to the target. A method and a computer program product for use in range estimation device.

Abstract: A method for rudder roll stabilization having two-feedback-path nonlinear dynamic compensation (NDC) is described. The high-order, Nyquist-stable control system having NDC hereof is absolutely stable and will provide a 20%-40% improvement in performance over existing roll reduction designs when lower performance steering mechanisms are employed, and is superior to linear controllers. That is, the present invention will be effective rudder roll stabilization in commercial vessels having slower rudders as well as in vessels having steering machines representing the best performance currently available, such as military systems. Since no ship hardware modifications are required, the present roll control technology will be able to be economically implemented.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus to train autopilots to fly a simulated aeronautical vehicle includes a three-degree of freedom gimbaled platform comprising a pitch, roll, and yaw axis; an autopilot comprising an inertial measurement unit mounted to the platform; motors that rotate the platform along the pitch, roll, and yaw axes; shaft encoders connected to the motors to calculate an angular position of the platform; motor drivers connected to the motors to power the motors; a microcontroller connected to the motor drivers; a quadrature encoder connected to the shaft encoders and the microcontroller; sensors that generate and sense environmental conditions affecting the platform and the autopilot; a flight simulator connected to the microcontroller; and a computer that executes the flight simulator causing actuation of the platform, causing the sensors to generate environmental conditions, and causing the autopilot to react to the environmental conditions.

Abstract: A method and device for assisting in driving a vehicle in motion along an initial trajectory, in an environment containing at least one obstacle, assistance is carried out by checking, by a trajectory checking unit, during movement of the vehicle, the existence of at least one condition for modifying the initial trajectory to avoid the obstacle. A criteria determining unit is used to determine a criterion CR by which to avoid the obstacle, and an avoidance trajectory determining unit is used to determine an avoidance trajectory according to a derivative of the criterion CR. The vehicle is assisted along the determined avoidance trajectory by a driving assist device.

Abstract: An electronic lead/lag damper algorithm implemented as part of the fly-by-wire flight control system to minimize or eliminate mechanical lead/lag dampers of a rotary wing aircraft. The electronic lead/lag damper algorithm uses a cross-feed control methodology that band-pass filters pitch and roll rates and feeds back a signal to the lateral and longitudinal cyclic inputs to provide electronic stability to rotor lag modes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) navigation are presented. In a preferred embodiment, a UAV is configured with at least one flight corridor and flight path, and a first UAV flight plan is calculated. During operation of the first UAV flight plan, the UAV visually detects an obstacle, and calculates a second UAV flight plan to avoid the obstacle. Furthermore, during operation of either the first or the second UAV flight plan, the UAV acoustically detects an unknown aircraft, and calculates a third UAV flight plan to avoid the unknown aircraft. Additionally, the UAV may calculate a new flight plan based on other input, such as information received from a ground control station.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing aircraft heading information are provided. In one embodiment, an attitude heading reference device comprises: at least one interface for receiving heading information from one or more IRUs; at least one set of gyroscopes and accelerometers; a memory device for storing data representing heading information received via the at least one interface; and a heading calculator coupled to the at least one interface, the at least one set of gyroscopes and accelerometers, and the memory device. The heading calculator generating a heading output signal based on heading information when reliable heading information is received over the at least one interface; the heading calculator generating the heading output signal based on data from the memory device regarding previously reliable heading information and an output of the at least one set of gyroscopes and accelerometers when reliable heading information is not received over the at least one interface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reconfiguring flight control of an aircraft during a failure while the aircraft is flying. The method and apparatus provide a control law that is software-implemented and configured to automatically send flight control data to a mixing/mapping matrix and a reconfiguration management tool configured to communicate with the mixing/mapping matrix in order to safely transfer authority from a failed actuator to a back-up actuator. A sensor management tool is provided for input to the reconfiguration management tool in order to smooth any transient conditions that may occur during reconfiguration. The method and apparatus provide for a way of smoothing any possible transient situation that might otherwise occur by employment of a fader, the fader being used to gradually convert positioning of failed actuators and positioning of reconfigured actuators.

Abstract: Control systems and methods of use provide for fully automated phases of flight of an aircraft. Such fully automated phases include takeoff, cruising flight, and landing without the need for operator input or other operator intervention. Control systems and methods also provide for self-limited compliance with an operators desired deviation from a predetermined flight path, as well as automatic contingency response to non-normal conditions. Onboard and/or ground-based operators may cooperate with the control system in order to control the associated aircraft. Furthermore, an operator need not have any flight skill in order to affect changes in the flight path or other aspects of flight control.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device including elements for automatically controlling an aircraft on the ground along the lateral axis, by a dissymmetrical use of the engines and/or brakes of the aircraft.

Abstract: A flight management system of an unmanned aircraft linked to a control station by communication means includes: a first set of a number N of successive navigation functions (iND with i=1, . . . N) remotely situated within the control station, a control function on board the aircraft, generating, from guidance setpoints, commands intended to control the aircraft so that it observes the guidance setpoints, and a second set of a number N of successive navigation functions (iNE, with i=1, . . . , N) on board the aircraft, and configuration means, capable of performing a combination of a number N of successive functions, each of the successive functions being chosen from the first and second sets, said combination of successive functions generating the guidance setpoints transmitted to the onboard control function.

Abstract: Method of formulating a lateral flight trajectory for the rejoining by an aircraft (200) of a trajectory of a flight plan (910) comprising a plurality of waypoints (911, 912, 913), the aircraft (200) flying outside of the flight plan (910) and according to a divergent track with respect to the trajectory of the flight plan (210), characterized in that the method: determines a waypoint (913) of the flight plan for the rejoining, defined as the first waypoint (913) of the flight plan included in a capture zone defined by the flight plan trajectory situated downstream of the point of intersection between the straight line defined by an angle (?) with the perpendicular to the track of the aircraft and the trajectory of the flight plan, formulates the optimal lateral flight trajectory for a rejoining by the aircraft (200) at the determined waypoint.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a monitoring module. The monitoring module is configured to identify a difference between measured position information for a controller and expected position information for the controller. The monitoring module is configured to compare the difference with thresholds for managing an autopilot in a control system of a vehicle to form a comparison. The monitoring module is configured to manage an operation of the autopilot based on the comparison such that the autopilot remains operating when a backdrive system is inoperative and an intentional override of the autopilot is absent.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for testing an aircraft pedal system (12) comprises a pedal actuation device (14) for actuating an aircraft pedal (12?, 12?), a force sensor (26) for sensing an actuation force applied to the aircraft pedal (12?, 12?) upon actuation of the aircraft pedal (12?, 12?) and for providing a signal indicative of the actuation force, a deflection sensing device (28, 30) for sensing an angular deflection of a device (12?, 12?; 13) deflected in response to the actuation of the aircraft pedal (12?, 12?), and a control unit (32) adapted to process the signals of the force sensor (26) and the deflection sensing device (28, 30) so as to generate an output indicating the angular deflection of the device (12?, 12?; 13) deflected in response to the actuation of the aircraft pedal (12?, 12?) in dependence on the actuation force applied to the aircraft pedal (12?, 12?).

Abstract: A method and a device for activating an automatic piloting mode of an aircraft are disclosed. The device can include means for engaging an automatic pilot mode, when (i) the current distance of the aircraft with respect to a reference position on the ground belongs to a determined distance range, and (ii) the current height of the aircraft is at most equal to a reference height associated to the automatic pilot mode.

Abstract: The respective motors of the drone (10) can be controlled to rotate at different speeds in order to pilot the drone both in attitude and speed. A remote control appliance produces a command to turn along a curvilinear path, this command comprising a left or right turning direction parameter and a parameter that defines the radius of curvature of the turn. The drone receives said command and acquires instantaneous measurements of linear velocity components, of angles of inclination, and of angular speeds of the drone. On the basis of the received command and the acquired measurements, setpoint values are generated for a control loop for controlling motors of the drone, these setpoint values controlling horizontal linear speed and inclination of the drone relative to a frame of reference associated with the ground so as to cause the drone to follow curvilinear path (C) at predetermined tangential speed (u).

Abstract: A method for automatically managing a lateral trajectory upon triggering an emergency descent includes determining a value of lateral offset and generating an offset setpoint by using the value of lateral offset. The generating an offset setpoint includes calculating a sum of the value of lateral offset and any initial value of lateral offset defined between a central axis of a protected sector that the aircraft travels along and an initial lateral trajectory. The offset setpoint is selected to be the smaller of the sum or a lateral offset maximum, which maintains the aircraft within the protected sector at all times. The aircraft is then operated to move the aircraft to the offset setpoint during the emergency descent, which helps avoid further air traffic that may be located at different altitude levels within the same protected sector, especially along the central axis.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and software is disclosed for controlling the heading of an aircraft travelling on the ground in which veering is detected and compensatory steering commands generated so as to automatically maintain a reference heading.

Abstract: The Invention is a control system for a compound aircraft. A compound aircraft has features of both a helicopter and a fixed wing aircraft and provides redundant control options. The control system allows an authorized person to select any of plurality of operational objectives each of which is designed to achieve any particular command.

Abstract: A device determines and displays compression values to be exerted by an orthosis upon the surface of a member and produces digital simulation (10) for simulating the action of the compression on the hemodynamics of venous return furnishing values of blood flow and/or of intravenous pressure at a number of points of a digital model representing the venous network of the leg of the member, which display is a value oriented graph containing a number of interconnected arcs, with each arc assigned a corresponding value of blood flow and/or intravenous pressure, and which compression values are furnished by simulation software based on morphological characteristics of the member and on dimensional and rheological characteristics of the orthosis.

Abstract: The movable surfaces affecting the camber of a wing are dynamically adjusted to optimize wing camber for optimum lift/drag ratios under changing conditions during a given flight phase. In a preferred embodiment, an add-on dynamic adjustment control module provides command signals for optimum positioning of trailing edge movable surfaces, i.e., inboard flaps, outboard flaps, ailerons, and flaperons, which are used in place of the predetermined positions of the standard flight control system. The dynamic adjustment control module utilizes inputs of changing aircraft conditions such as altitude, Mach number, weight, center of gravity (CG), vertical speed and flight phase. The dynamic adjustment control module's commands for repositioning the movable surfaces of the wing are transmitted through the standard flight control system to actuators for moving the flight control surfaces.

Abstract: A method for dynamically computing an equi-distance point (EDP) for an aircraft includes receiving at least two reference points for landing the aircraft upon an occurrence of an emergency, determining a remaining flight path for the aircraft based on a current location of the aircraft and a flight plan serviced by a flight management system (FMS) of the aircraft, and generating the EDP for the aircraft by locating a point on the remaining flight path which is equidistant from the at least two reference points.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for optimizing the fuel consumption of an aircraft during flight. At a given point of the flight, a fuel excess (EXTRA) is determined relative to the statutory loads depending on the flight profile and weather conditions forecast for the rest of the flight. If the excess (EXTRA) is less than a given value (EXTRA-mini), for at least one of the forthcoming flight phases ({circle around (1)}, {circle around (2)}, {circle around (3)}), the speed of the aircraft is adjusted so as to increase the excess (EXTRA).

Abstract: Higher Order Sliding Mode (HOSM) control techniques are applied to the Guidance Control (G&C) of interceptor missile in which velocity may be steered by combination of main thrust, aerodynamic lift and lateral on-off divert thrusters, and attitude may be steered by continuous or on-off actuators. Methods include the pointing of the seeker, its associated estimation processes, a guidance law that uses concurrent divert mechanisms, and an attitude autopilot. The insensitivity of the controller to matched disturbances allows the concurrent usage of the divert mechanisms without adverse effect on the accuracy. The controller also allows the de-coupling of the control of roll, pitch and yaw channels, and usage quaternions to represent body attitude and it provides control perfect robustness. While it conceivable to design separately the components of the G&C method, it is widely accepted that designing them in an integrated fashion usually produces a better result.

Abstract: A method and system for improving aircraft performances during take-off is described. The system (1) can include means (4, 6, 7) for determining an optimised take-off position of the control surfaces (S1-Sn) of the aircraft, in the case where a regulatory safety criterion relating to the minimum gradient of climb with a breakdown engine is predominant.

Abstract: According to an example embodiment, a method includes receiving an emergency status signal indicating that an aircraft is in an emergency condition, formatting a downlink message in response to receiving the emergency status signal, the downlink message describing the emergency condition and an autopilot response to the emergency condition, and transmitting the downlink message to a controller of the aircraft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for changing the path followed by an aircraft, the aircraft initially following a predefined path on the basis of a sequence of waypoints, the method allowing a subsequent return of the aircraft to the predefined path in the same direction or in the reverse direction. The method allows a possible return of the aircraft to the predefined path in the same direction such that the waypoints of the predefined path are projected onto a new path according to a projection function ensuring that the order of the sequence of the projected image points complies with the order of the sequence of the original waypoints. The projection of a waypoint already reached by the aircraft also is considered as having been reached. The projections of the waypoints on the new path are considered reached by the aircraft progressively as the latter progresses along the new path.

Abstract: A hold line awareness system for alerting an occupant of an aircraft that the aircraft is approaching a hold line at an airport. In one broad aspect the invention includes an airport database located on an aircraft. The airport database is configured to store location information for a plurality of hold lines at the airport. A positioning system is located on the aircraft. The positioning system is configured to determine the aircraft location. A processor is located on the aircraft and is operatively connected to the airport database and the positioning system. The processor is configured to calculate the distance between the aircraft location and a hold line and provide a processor alerting output signal if the distance is less than a predetermined value. A sensory effector is located on the aircraft and operatively connected to the processor for receiving the processor alerting output signal and providing a tactile alert to an occupant in response thereto.

Abstract: A system and a method for commanding a spacecraft to perform a three-axis maneuver purely based on “position” (i.e., attitude) measurements. Using an “inertial gimbal concept”, a set of formulae are derived that can map a set of “inertial” motion to the spacecraft body frame based on position information so that the spacecraft can perform/follow according to the desired inertial position maneuvers commands. Also, the system and method disclosed herein employ an intrusion steering law to protect the spacecraft from acquisition failure when a long sensor intrusion occurs.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for displaying and receiving tactical and strategic flight guidance information are disclosed. A method in accordance with one aspect of the invention includes displaying at least one first indicator to an operator of the aircraft, with a first indicator corresponding to a first instruction input by the operator for directing a first aircraft behavior and implemented upon receiving an activation instruction from the operator. At least one second indicator corresponding to a second instruction for directing a second aircraft behavior at least proximately the same as the first aircraft behavior is displayed, with the at least one second instruction to be automatically implemented at a future time. The at least one second indicator is at least approximately the same as the at least one first indicator. Indicators can be hierarchically organized to simplify presentation and reduce pilot training time.

Abstract: A device for automatically controlling a system of high-lift elements of an aircraft, which high-lift elements can be set to a retracted and to several extended configurations for cruising, holding flight, takeoff or landing; comprising a flap control unit that by way of a control connection is connected, so as to be functionally effective, to a drive system of the high-lift elements; and an operating unit, connected to the flap control unit, for entering operating instructions that influence the setting of the high-lift elements, where the flap control unit is provided for calculating switching speeds that are associated with the respective configurations of the high-lift elements, where the direction of the configuration change and the operating modes of the automatic system for adjusting the high-lift elements, depending on flight state data and further flight-operation-relevant data; and where, in addition, the flap control unit can also automatically carry out switchover of the operating modes for takeof

Abstract: A user interface for an integrated autopilot and flight management system for an aircraft includes a plurality of tactical parameter controls for operation of the autopilot and a plurality of strategic parameter controls for operation of the flight management system.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for controlling the speed of flap retraction on aircraft, and alerts to the pilot of potentially unsafe flap position. The invention accepts direction from a pilot and senses operation of the aircraft to determine appropriate flap position and flap retraction speed.