A method for providing off-path guidance during a descent comprises the steps of determining a current altitude (H) and a corresponding current horizontal distance (X) of the aircraft from a selected bottom of descent point (B/D). A simulation of a Basic Descent Path (BDP) is performed, and a plurality of corresponding altitude (H.sub.i) and horizontal distance (X.sub.i) points is stored in a BDP array. A horizontal distance (X.sub.B) is determined from the B/D point to a bottom point of the BDP array, and a horizontal distance (X.sub.A) is determined in the BDP array that corresponds to the current aircraft altitude. A radius of a BDP circle is obtained by subtracting X.sub.B from X.sub.A for display on a navigation display unit. An aircraft symbol is displayed on the Navigation Display unit at a distance proportional to X.sub.A, thereby indicating the distance remaining until to start of descent of the aircraft.
An aircraft system for reducing the airspeed of an aircraft as it passes through a preselected altitude includes an automatic throttle system including a computer, a device for inputting a preselected altitude and a preselected airspeed into the computer. An altimeter provides the current altitude of the aircraft and an aircraft instrument provides the current air speed and the vertical speed of the aircraft. The computer in response to the current altitude and vertical speed of the aircraft generates a signal to retard the throttles when the current altitude, the current air speed of the aircraft is equal to 2 times the vertical speed plus a preselected altitude.
The method provides for determining an approach mode which has been selected by the pilot of the aircraft from among a plurality of predetermined approach modes, for selecting a characteristic segment (6) of an arrival path which relates to the selected approach mode thus determined, for determining the orientation of the projection on the ground of the said characteristic segment (6) with respect to the center line of the said runway (5) and, depending on this orientation, for determining an anchoring point of the said final approach path, the orientation (.alpha.) in a horizontal plane of the said final approach path and the slope (.beta.) of the said final approach path.
A system for flight training and simulation that reduces the time spent by a student or pilot inside the simulation cockpit in programming navigation systems. The system comprises a simulation workstation that interfaces with one or more automated navigational devices inside the cockpit. From the workstation the student enters and stores a flight plan and other flight conditions which are communicated to the automated navigational devices during training. A frame relay device redirects data flow inside the cockpit from the onboard aircraft communications and reporting system to the simulation workstation. The simulation workstation contains a flight data interface board that is configured to communicate with the automated navigational devices. The board contains a transmitter/receiver chip set that supports known avionics communications protocols for data transfers with the automated navigational devices inside the cockpit.
A graphical display or presentation of lateral ANP/RNP information for RNAV environments. The display may also be adapted to present aircraft data for monitoring the vertical flight performance of an aircraft under RVSM.
A graphical display of a nonlinear scale emulating the view of a mechanical drum gauge. The nonlinear scale may be used for the display of aircraft flight data including airspeed, altitude, heading, and other aircraft data suitable for presentation on a nonlinear scale. The nonlinear scale may scroll to display current aircraft data.
