Apparatus for visually displaying simultaneously on one screen two variables that characterize the path followed by a land, marine or airborne vessel with reference to a preselected or ideal path that extends from a beginning point to an ending point. Using two distinguishable icons or other indicia for the two variables, the screen displays a single one-dimensional scale and displays the two indicia, each of which represents one of the following differences: (1) the difference between at least one of the two horizontal location coordinates for the present vessel location and for a nearest point on the preselected path; (2) the difference between the elevation coordinates for the present vessel location and for a nearest point on the preselected path; (3) the difference between the present horizontal bearing angle of the vessel path and the horizontal bearing angle along the preselected path at a nearest point on the preselected path; and (4) the difference between the present vertical bearing angle of the vessel path and the vertical bearing angle along the preselected path at a nearest point on the preselected path. Alternatively, the screen may display two one-dimensional scales with either two indicia, three indicia or two mutually exclusive sets of two indicia. Alternatively, two indicia may be used to define the size of a rectangle and the quadrant it appears in, for representation of the two indicia.
A method and apparatus for merging specifies an inset chart shape and at least two chart scale values. A chart retriever retrieves data files defining a low-scale chart and a high-scale chart, and a chart processor identifies portions of the low-scale data files from which data is deleted and merges the modified low-scale data files with high-scale data files which provide high-scale data for the inset chart shape.
An image sensor attached to an aircraft generates an image. The image includes a runway and other objects. The edges within the image are detected and Nav Data is used to predict the coordinates defining the runway. The predicted coordinates and the detected edges are correlated to determine the location of the runway within the image. The location of the runway within the image is then used to determine the lateral and vertical deviation of the aircraft relative to the runway.
An integrated position and direction system and method thereof for determining drift. The integrated position and direction system comprises a satellite positioning system and a digital compass. The satellite positioning system is used for determining position and heading, and the digital compass is used for determining direction. An amount of drift can be determined using the heading and the direction. Knowing the amount of drift, a course compensating for the drift can be determined. Thus, a craft that has drifted from its planned course can be directed to a course that will allow it to reach its intended destination.
The present invention concerns a device for indicating the position of an aircraft (H) notably a helicopter (H) with respect to a beam (F). In accordance with the invention, said indicator includes fixed first means (6) indicating the position of said aircraft (H), movable second means (7) indicating the position of the beam (F) in a predefined direction with respect to said aircraft (H), and third means (8) indicating which way to steer the aircraft (H) in the predefined direction to capture the beam (F) to said third means (8) being activated only when the aircraft (H) has crossed the beam (F) completely and is outside it.
A system is provided which permits a display of ground conditions to the pilot through the use of a forward looking sensor set and uses signals generated from the aircraft to simulate ground aid signals which are used for automatic landing of the aircraft. General flight path angle and course aim point corrections are made from the cockpit of the aircraft and are adjustable as the flight progresses. Most of the systems today that have fixed path capability to ground intercepts are based on ground installed equipment. This system can establish the inertial flight path track internally to the aircraft and provides an automatic landing system which allows the pilot to concentrate on the visibility of the forward scene to confirm the safe progress of the landing.
