Methods and systems for translating an emergency system alert signal to an automated flight system maneuver

A system for translating one or more alert signals into an auto flight system (AFS) maneuver comprising:

• an emergency system configured to supply one or more alert signals, the emergency system including a traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS) and an enhanced ground proximity warning system (EGPWS);
• a plurality of aircraft flight control actuators;
• an AFS in operable communication with, and configured to control, at least the aircraft flight control actuators;
• and
• a processor in operable communication with the emergency system to receive the one or more alert signals therefrom, the processor also in operable communication with the AFS, the processor containing a first module, a second module and a state machine and configured to receive a time signal,
• the first module configured to cause the processor to:
• decode the one or more alert signals,
• validate the one or more alert signals,
• determine a maneuver definition that is associated with the one or more alert signals, and
• construct one or more AFS mode commands from the maneuver definition that when executed in combination direct the AFS to perform the AFS maneuver;
• the second module configured to cause the processor to:
• execute the one or more AFS mode commands determined from the maneuver definition by selectively arming one or more standard AFS modes required to implement the AFS maneuver;
• and
• the state machine coupling the first module to the second module, the state machine configured to cause the processor to coordinate a function of first module with that of the second module based on the time signal,
• wherein the state machine comprises at least an Inhibit Active Maneuvers State, a Ready State, a Maneuver in Progress State, and a Maneuver Exit State.