Minimum safe altitude warning
AssigneeRannoch Corporation
InventorsAlexander E. Smith, Jonathan C. Baldwin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A ground-based CFIT warning system provides pilots with CFIT alerts. The system is based upon a ground-based tracking system, which provides surveillance of aircraft, such as the AirScene™ multilateration system manufactured by Rannoch Corporation of Alexandria, Va. The system monitors both horizontal and vertical positions of aircraft. When an aircraft has been determined to be operating below safe altitudes, or too close to obstructions, the pilot is provided with a warning. The warning may be delivered via the pilot's voice communications and/or a data link or the like.
Claims62
A ground-based system for tracking and warning aircraft, comprising:
- a ground-based system for tracking at least one aircraft to determine aircraft position and altitude;
- a ground-based system for comparing aircraft position and altitude to at least one predetermined criteria to determine whether the at least aircraft should be warned;
- and
- means for warning the at least one aircraft.
A ground-based method for tracking and warning aircraft, comprising the steps of:
- tracking in a ground-based system, at least one aircraft to determine aircraft position and altitude,
- comparing in a ground-based system, aircraft position and altitude to at least one predetermined criteria to determine whether the at least aircraft should be warned, and
- warning the at least one aircraft.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.