Holding pattern determination
AssigneeAviation Mobile Apps, LLC
InventorsWilliam DeWeese, Leslie Glatt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A holding pattern determination system and method assists a pilot with visualizing, entering, and flying a holding pattern. An exact solution to the holding pattern problem simplifies the entry to and flight of a holding pattern with minimal circuits, regardless of the wind direction and speed. Utilizing a windspeed ratio and relative wind direction, at least an inbound wind correction angle, an outbound heading, and an outbound time that begins at the outbound heading independent from an abeam point is provided. An entry pattern graphic and a holding pattern graphic may be provided with turn by turn heading and timing instruction to ensure precise entry and holding pattern flight.
Claims20
A computer-implemented method for providing a holding pattern solution, the method comprising:
- determining, by a processor of a holding pattern computer, a windspeed ratio;
- determining, by the processor, a direction of relative wind;
- utilizing, by the processor, at least the windspeed ratio and the direction of relative wind to calculate an analytic solution to the holding pattern solution, comprising:
- an inbound wind correction angle,
- an outbound heading,
- an outbound time that begins at the outbound heading independent from an abeam point, and
- a total time to complete a holding pattern circuit;
- and
- providing, by the processor, the holding pattern solution to a user for flying the holding pattern solution, the holding pattern solution further comprising:
- an entry procedure comprising a plurality of turn instructions, an inbound course, an inbound and an outbound heading, and an outbound leg duration;
- an entry pattern graphic visually depicting an entry pattern to intercept the inbound leg of the hold pattern;
- a holding procedure comprising a plurality of turn instructions, an inbound course, an inbound and an outbound heading, and an outbound leg duration;
- and
- a holding pattern graphic visually depicting a first representation of a holding pattern with zero wind, and a second representation of a holding pattern with one or more wind characteristics applied.
A holding pattern determination system for providing a holding pattern solution, the system comprising:
- a holding pattern computer having a display and at least one processor, wherein the processor is operative to execute one or more sets of computer-readable instructions operative to:
- determine a windspeed ratio;
- determine a direction of relative wind;
- utilize at least the windspeed ratio and the direction of relative wind to calculate an analytic solution to the holding pattern solution, comprising:
- an inbound wind correction angle,
- an outbound heading,
- an outbound time that begins at the outbound heading independent from an abeam point, and
- a total time to complete a holding pattern circuit;
- and
- provide the holding pattern solution to a user for flying the holding pattern solution, the holding pattern solution further comprising:
- an entry procedure comprising a plurality of turn instructions, an inbound course, an inbound and an outbound heading, and an outbound leg duration;
- an entry pattern graphic visually depicting an entry pattern to intercept the inbound leg of the hold pattern;
- a holding procedure comprising a plurality of turn instructions, an inbound course, an inbound and an outbound heading, and an outbound leg duration;
- and
- a holding pattern graphic visually depicting a first representation of a holding pattern with zero wind, and a second representation of a holding pattern with one or more wind characteristics applied.
A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions for:
- determining a windspeed ratio;
- determining a direction of relative wind;
- utilizing at least the windspeed ratio and the direction of relative wind to calculate an analytic solution to the holding pattern solution, comprising:
- an inbound wind correction angle,
- an outbound heading,
- an outbound time that begins at the outbound heading independent from an abeam point, and
- a total time to complete a holding pattern circuit;
- and
- providing the holding pattern solution to a user for flying the holding pattern solution, the holding pattern solution further comprising:
- an entry procedure comprising a plurality of turn instructions, an inbound course, an inbound and an outbound heading, and an outbound leg duration;
- an entry pattern graphic visually depicting an entry pattern to intercept the inbound leg of the hold pattern;
- a holding procedure comprising a plurality of turn instructions, an inbound course, an inbound and an outbound heading, and an outbound leg duration;
- and
- a holding pattern graphic visually depicting a first representation of a holding pattern with zero wind, and a second representation of a holding pattern with one or more wind characteristics applied.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.