US 2026/0155051 A1 · SYSTEMS AND METHODS PROVIDING ASSIST-TO-LAND AND EMERGENCY LAND FUNCTIONS

Abstract

Flight guidance methods, systems, and aircraft systems providing assist-to-land and emergency land (EL) functions. The method includes generating a visual indication of the availability and status of an assist-to-land function and an EL function when the current altitude of the aircraft exceeds an altitude threshold. When in assist-to-land, visual and audible flight guidance can be generated to guide the pilot to a safe landing at a selected runway or at a best runway for the conditions. Functions can be activated by user manipulations of interface objects and/or by software determinations. Software determinations to enter the EL function can automatically control the flying of the aircraft along an approach profile to a safe landing at a nearest suitable airport. EL determinations can be made based on pilot incapacitation.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A flight guidance system for an aircraft, comprising:

a controller architecture programmed by programming instructions to:
receive an emergency land (EL) activation command via an input device of the aircraft;
and
begin an EL function in response to the EL activation command and while in the EL function perform the operations of:
selecting a nearest airport to land the aircraft, wherein the nearest airport is associated with a route;
actively controlling an automatic pilot (AP) system and an automatic thrust (AT) system to fly the aircraft along the route to a final approach to the nearest airport;
automatically communicating with air traffic control (ATC) of the nearest airport;
automatically configuring the aircraft for landing at the nearest airport;
controlling a rudder to keep the aircraft aligned with a runway centerline;
and
automatically landing the aircraft at the nearest airport.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Systems and methods providing assist-to-land and emergency land functions

Life of this patent

Systems and methods providing assist-to-land and emergency land functions

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20