Risk-based flight path data generating system, device, and method

A device for generating risk-based flight path data, comprising:

• a path generator including at least one processor coupled to a non-transitory processor-readable medium storing processor-executable code and configured to:
• acquire navigation data representative of a plurality of waypoints;
• acquire risk-based, elevation data based upon the navigation data and comprised of
• first data representative of a plurality of risk elevations of a plurality of elevation cells of a digital risk model of elevations, or
• second data determinative of a plurality of risk elevations of a plurality of elevation cells of a digital risk model of elevations, where
• a value for each of the risk elevations of the first data or the second data is based upon a plurality of surface elevations of a plurality of surface elevation cells of a digital elevation model adjusted for a level of risk of a crash of an aircraft and a cost corresponding to harm or injury to at least one person, at least one object on the ground, or both arising from the crash;
• determine a risk-based flight path for the aircraft based upon the acquired navigation data, the acquired risk-based, elevation data, and a route generating algorithm;
• generate flight path data representative of the risk-based flight path;
• and
• provide the flight path data to at least one of an avionics system and a remote aircraft operator system, wherein
• a first avionics system comprised of at least one system of an autoflight system of the aircraft is configured to receive and employ the flight path data,
• a second avionics system comprised of a display system of the aircraft is configured to receive the flight path data and present risk-based flight path information to a viewer located inside the aircraft, or
• a remote aircraft operator system is configured to receive the flight path data and present risk-based flight path information to a viewer located outside the aircraft.

A method for generating risk-based flight path data, comprising:

• acquiring, by a path generator including at least one processor coupled to a non-transitory processor-readable medium storing processor-executable code, navigation data representative of a plurality of waypoints;
• acquiring risk-based, elevation data based upon the navigation data and comprised of
• first data representative of a plurality of risk elevations of a plurality of elevation cells of a digital risk model of elevations, or
• second data determinative of a plurality of risk elevations of a plurality of elevation cells of a digital risk model of elevations, where
• a value for each of the risk elevations of the first data or the second data is based upon a plurality of surface elevations of a plurality of surface elevation cells of a digital elevation model adjusted for a level of risk of a crash of an aircraft and a cost corresponding to harm or injury to at least one person, at least one object on the ground, or both arising from the crash;
• determining a risk-based flight path for the aircraft based upon the acquired navigation data, the acquired risk-based, elevation data, and a route generating algorithm;
• generating flight path data representative of the risk-based flight path;
• and
• providing the flight path data to at least one of an avionics system and a remote aircraft operator system, wherein
• a first avionics system comprised of at least one system of an autoflight system of the aircraft is configured to receive and employ the flight path data,
• a second avionics system comprised of a display system of the aircraft is configured to receive the flight path data and present risk-based flight path information to a viewer located inside the aircraft, or
• a remote aircraft operator system is configured to receive the flight path data and present risk-based flight path information to a viewer located outside the aircraft.