Cueing light configuration for aircraft navigation
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
InventorsMary K. Kaiser, Walter J. Johnson
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Abstract
A pattern of light is projected from multiple sources located on an aircraft to form two clusters. The pattern of each cluster changes as the aircraft flies above and below a predetermined nominal altitude. The initial patterns are two horizontal, spaced apart lines. Each is capable of changing to a delta formation as either the altitude or the terrain varies. The direction of the delta cues the pilot as to the direction of corrective action.
Claims8
A cueing light navigation system for an aircraft in substantially level flight, comprising:
- a plurality of lower light sources projecting a plurality of light beams downwardly and forwardly from the aircraft at first and second angles relative to the aircraft;
- and
- a plurality of upper light sources projecting a plurality of light beams downwardly and forwardly from the aircraft at third and fourth angles relative to the aircraft,
- the plurality of light beams from the lower and upper light sources impinging on the ground in first and second clusters of light spots, each cluster having a predetermined pattern when the aircraft is at a nominal, predetermined altitude and flying over substantially featureless terrain,
- each cluster pattern varying in accordance with one of the deviations from the nominal altitude and changes in terrain,
- each of the plurality of lower light sources having a point of origin disposed below an eye point of a pilot of the aircraft, and
- each of the plurality of upper light sources having a point of origin disposed above the eye point of the pilot of the aircraft.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.