US 2026/0237305 A1 · MANAGEMENT OF A CRITICAL DESCENT FLIGHT PATH FOR AN AIRCRAFT

Abstract

A method and system for determining a critical descent flight path limit for an aircraft has been developed. First, a proposed change to a flight plan for an aircraft is received from air traffic control (ATC). The current location and current energy state of the aircraft is determined by a flight management system (FMS) of the aircraft. The current energy state of the aircraft is the aircraft's current altitude and speed. Multiple modified flight descent paths are constructed with the FMS to find a critical descent flight path limit which respects a proposed change from the ATC or the constrains from the active flight plan. Critical descent flight path limit is then displayed to a pilot, who has to evaluate the flyability based on the aircraft and critical descent flight path limit positions.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A method for determining a critical descent flight path limit for an aircraft, comprising:

receiving a proposed change to a flight path descent path for an aircraft, where the proposed change is received from air traffic control (ATC);
determining a current location and current energy state of the aircraft, where the current energy state of the aircraft comprises the aircraft's current altitude and speed as determined by a flight management system (FMS) of the aircraft;
computing multiple modified flight descent paths with the FMS to comply with the closest constraint for the proposed change from the ATC;
categorizing each modified flight descent path as flyable or unflyable with the FMS;
and
notifying a pilot of the aircraft of each modified flight descent path.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Management of a critical descent flight path for an aircraft

Life of this patent

Management of a critical descent flight path for an aircraft

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17