Method and apparatus for an improved flight management system providing for linking of an outbound course line from a predetermined position with an existing flight plan

US5797106A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The Boeing Company · US

Inventors

• Daniel J. Murray · Mill Creek, US
• John Griffin · Phoenix, US
• Bruce L. Turner · Lynnwood, US
• Peter D. Gunn · Bellevue, US
• Thomas E. Twiggs · Bellevue, US
• Henry V. VonJouanne · Woodinville, US
• George W. Schraw · Federal Way, US
• Ann M. Tracy · Everett, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 29, 1996
• Grant date: Aug 18, 1998
• Expiry date: Mar 29, 2016

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G08G5/34
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An improvement to an aircraft flight management system allows the flight crew to enter a predetermined position, which may be either the aircraft's current position or a defined waypoint, and a course line, or vector from the predetermined position. The system responds by displaying to the flight crew the predetermined position and course line, and then proceeds to link the course line to the existing flight plan. The flight crew may then either execute the modified flight plan or erase the modification and enter an alternate plan. The procedure of entering the predetermined position and course line, and linking to the existing flight plan may all be done with the autopilot activated, whereby appropriate lateral navigational signals are generated and supplied to the autopilot flight director to direct the aircraft along the newly specificed route. In addition, accurate performance data, such as distance to go, estimated time of arrival, and fuel remaining at each waypoint are displayed to the flight crew.