A ground proximity warning system for aircraft having flight path angle based warning criteria generates a warning in the event of an excessively steep flight path angle during an approach to a landing. The warning criteria are altered to provide an earlier warning upon the occurrence of a low intensity wind shear or a below glideslope condition. A below glideslope warning system that is biased as a function of decreasing performance shear is also provided. A descent rate based warning system usable above a predetermined altitude may also be provided to supplement the flight path angle warning system.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S. application Ser. No. 06/770,423 filed on Aug. 29, 1985, hereby incorporated by reference.
Systems, methods and computer program products for alerting a flight crew during landing that the tailwind exceeds acceptable limits. The system determines a base tailwind threshold speed for a candidate runway based on a performance constant associated with an aircraft and candidate runway information and determines present tailwind speed. If the tailwind speed is greater than the base tailwind threshold speed, a tailwind alert is generated. Also, the system determines if the aircraft is in a tailwind alerting mode based on configuration of the aircraft and activates tailwind alerting, if it is determined that the aircraft is in the tailwind alerting mode.
In a system for warning a failure to wear a seat belt to urge a vehicle operator to wear the seat belt, a sound emitter is activated when a vehicle speed is higher than a threshold level and the seat belt is not fastened. The sound emitter cyclically alternates between a sound emitting state and a silent state when activated, the silent state lasting for a period of at least three seconds each time. Because the silent state is interposed between sound emitting states and because the warning is not emitted when traveling for a short period of time at a low speed, for instance, in a parking garage or the like or when the vehicle is stationary, the annoyance to the vehicle operator is minimized while allowing the vehicle operator to be kept warned.
A hazard alert device for aircraft prioritizes various alerts according to predefined criteria. The device enables more optional alerting of hazardous conditions than a system of separate independent and discrete devices.
An alerting and/or notification system for operator(s) of a vehicle about conditions that affect the operation of the vehicle. The system collects information from one or more hazard warning systems, groups the warnings into different alert categories, and resolves conflicts between two or more hazard warnings within the same alert category to set a priority level. The prioritized alerts are presented to the operator, and associated detailed information also made available, in the form of graphical and/or textual messages on a display. Using two- or three-dimensional surround sound techniques, directional verbal and tonal aural cues also inform the operator(s) about the presence of threats and/or conditions. Visual displays and/or directional aural commands may be issued to dictate an evasive maneuver direction, if desired.
A method, apparatus and computer program product for assisting the pilot of an aircraft in making a go-around decision. Various aircraft parameters are monitored during the approach to land and a risk level assessed. When the risk level exceeds a specified threshold, an alert is provided.
