CN-116134501-B - Automatic selection of aircraft flight plans during approach phase

CN116134501BCN 116134501 BCN116134501 BCN 116134501BCN-116134501-B

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of air navigation. More specifically, the invention relates to a computer implemented method comprising loading an initial active flight plan of an aircraft, comprising a first approach procedure to a runway up to a departure point ending between the departure point and an end point, loading a secondary flight plan, comprising an approach procedure to the runway between the departure point and the runway, and a second departure procedure at the end of the approach, ending at a second end point, receiving an instruction from an operator of the aircraft linking the initial active flight plan and the secondary flight plan, activating the departure procedure in case the operator steps up at the departure point at the latest, and otherwise automatically selecting the secondary flight plan as an active flight plan and activating a second approach.

Inventors

J. Saker
M. Shayou
C. Kayo
F. Xiao Wen
ROGER MATTHIEU

Assignees

塔莱斯公司

Dates

Publication Date: 20260508
Application Date: 20210628
Priority Date: 20200717

Claims (11)

1. A computer-implemented method (200), comprising: -loading an initial active flight plan (210) for the aircraft, the initial active flight plan comprising a first approach procedure (310) to a runway (350) up to a point of departure (MAP), and a first missed approach procedure (320) between the point of departure (MAP) and an end point (323); -loading a secondary flight plan (220) comprising a second approach procedure (330) to the runway between the point of return (MAP) and the runway (350), the second approach procedure ending after the first approach procedure and a second missed approach procedure (340) at the end of the second approach procedure and at a second final point; -receiving (221) an instruction from an operator of the aircraft for linking the initial active flight plan and the secondary flight plan, the linking comprising an association between the initial active flight plan and the secondary flight plan allowing automatic selection of one or the other; -automatically selecting (250) the secondary flight plan as an active flight plan when no missed approach occurs at or before the missed approach point, and activating (240) the first missed approach procedure (320) in case the operator missed approach at the missed approach point at the latest (230).
2. The method of claim 1, comprising automatically selecting the initial active flight plan as a current flight plan (270) and activating (240) the first missed approach procedure (320) in the event of a missed approach during a predetermined period after the missed approach point (260).
3. The method of claim 2, wherein guidance instructions for activity in automatically selecting the secondary flight plan as an active flight plan are maintained during the predetermined period of time.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein the roll rate of the aircraft is limited to a predefined roll rate during the predetermined period.
5. The method of claim 2, comprising inserting a straight flight setpoint (DF) segment into a first waypoint of the second approach procedure when the secondary flight plan is selected as an active flight plan (250).
6. The method of any one of claims 2 to 5, comprising activating the second missed approach procedure (340) if a missed approach occurs after the predetermined period of time after the Missed Approach Point (MAP) has elapsed.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the secondary flight plan is manually formulated by an aircraft operator during a flight phase.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein an aircraft operator sends a request to a flight management system of the aircraft for automatic acquisition of a secondary flight plan, and wherein: -the flight management system generating a plurality of candidate secondary flight plans: beginning at the point of departure (MAP), and Through the runway (350), and Ending at the second end point; -the operator selecting the secondary flight plan from the candidate secondary flight plans.
9. The method of claim 1, comprising, when one of the initial active flight plan and the secondary flight plan is activated, an action by the flight management system of the aircraft to convert the flight plan into a trajectory and at least from sending an instruction to an autopilot to follow the trajectory and displaying the trajectory to an aircraft operator.
10. A computer program product comprising program code instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the method of one of claims 1 to 9.
11. A flight management system for an aircraft, comprising a computing unit configured to perform the method of one of claims 1 to 9.

Description

Automatic selection of aircraft flight plans during approach phase Technical Field The present invention relates to the field of air navigation, and more particularly to the field of navigation along flight planning procedures. Background Today's Flight Management Systems (FMS) allow operators to select programs by inserting them into a flight plan. For example, these programs may consist of approach tracks and their associated missed approach programs. In modern FMSs, the program is manually selected by an operator (e.g., an aircraft pilot or a remote drone operator), and then executed by the FMS. Thus, the operator is able to select a new program to be followed by the FMS during the flight. However, such manual selection of a new procedure may increase the workload of the operator, thereby becoming a source of aircraft safety. This is especially true during the approach phase, which is both the phase where program changes are most often required (e.g., in the case of forced air traffic control changing runways or in the case of missed approach), and the phase where operator stress is greatest. Thus, during the approach phase, the operator may have to select a second procedure after the initial approach and extend guidance from one procedure to another, in parallel with air traffic controller communications, while ensuring that the aircraft remains safe in complex environments (near ground, traffic near airports is typically dense, mountainous airports may present dangerous terrain, etc.). Thus, there is a need for a method that allows for the initiation of a second procedure to be automated in the approach phase so that the trajectory of the aircraft can be protected for successful landing. Disclosure of Invention To this end, one subject of the invention is a computer-implemented method comprising loading an initial active flight plan of an aircraft, comprising a first approach procedure to a runway up to a re-flying spot and a missed approach procedure between the re-flying spot and an end point, loading a secondary flight plan, comprising a second approach procedure to the runway between the re-flying spot and the runway, the second approach procedure being subsequent to the first approach procedure and the second missed approach procedure ending at the second approach procedure and at the second end point, receiving an instruction from an operator of the aircraft to link the initial active flight plan and the secondary flight plan, the link consisting of an association between the active flight plan and the secondary flight plan, allowing an automatic selection of one or the other, activating the missed flight procedure in case the operator is at the latest missed approach point, otherwise automatically selecting the secondary flight plan as the active flight plan. Advantageously, the method comprises, in case of a missed approach during a predetermined period of time after the missed approach point, automatically selecting an initial flight plan as the current flight plan, and activating said missed approach procedure. Advantageously, guidance instructions for activity in automatically selecting the secondary flight plan as an active flight plan are maintained during the predetermined period of time. Advantageously, the roll rate of the aircraft is limited to a predefined roll rate during the predetermined period. Advantageously, the method comprises inserting a DF segment into a first waypoint of said second approach procedure when said secondary flight plan is selected as an active flight plan. Advantageously, the method comprises activating said second missed approach procedure in case of a missed approach after said predetermined time after said missed approach point. Advantageously, said second extreme point and said extreme point are located at the same position. Advantageously, the secondary flight plan is manually formulated by the aircraft operator during the flight phase. Advantageously, the aircraft operator sends a request to the flight management system of the aircraft to automatically obtain a secondary flight plan, and the flight management system generates a plurality of candidate secondary flight plans starting from the departure point and passing through the runway, and ending at the second final point, the operator selecting the secondary flight plan from the candidate secondary flight plans. Advantageously, the method comprises the flight management system of the aircraft converting the flight plan into a trajectory when one of the initial and secondary flight plans is activated, and at least one action from sending an instruction to the autopilot to follow the trajectory and displaying the trajectory to the aircraft operator. Another subject of the invention is a computer program comprising program code instructions recorded on a computer readable medium, the program code instructions being configured to perform a method according to one of the embodiments of the invention when t