US 11,724,820 B2
Decision-support system for aircraft requiring emergency landings
Meinolf Sellmann, Niskayuna, NY (US); Tianyi Wang, Niskayuna, NY (US); Paul E. Cuddihy, Niskayuna, NY (US); and Varish V. Mulwad, Glenville, NY (US)
Assigned to GE Aviation Systems LLC, Grand Rapids, MI (US)
Filed by GE Aviation Systems LLC, Grand Rapids, MI (US)
Filed on Dec. 24, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/134,139.
Prior Publication US 2022/0204180 A1, Jun. 30, 2022
Int. Cl. B64D 45/08 (2006.01); B64D 43/00 (2006.01); B64D 45/00 (2006.01); G01C 23/00 (2006.01); G05B 17/02 (2006.01); G08G 5/00 (2006.01); G08G 5/02 (2006.01)
CPC B64D 45/08 (2013.01) [B64D 43/00 (2013.01); B64D 45/00 (2013.01); G01C 23/005 (2013.01); G05B 17/02 (2013.01); G08G 5/0039 (2013.01); G08G 5/0056 (2013.01); G08G 5/025 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A computer-readable, non-transitory storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a digital controller of an aircraft during a flight emergency situation, causes the digital controller to execute a method comprising:
receiving an indication from a sensor of the aircraft that a flight emergency has occurred;
obtaining real-time aircraft data and real-time environmental data;
identifying a plurality of potential landing sites suitable for an emergency landing of the aircraft;
generating at least one simplified flight path simulation model based on the real-time aircraft data and the real-time environmental data, the at least one simplified flight path simulation model including a series of linear segments configured to assess a plurality of flight landing probabilities for a potential landing site of the plurality of potential landing sites;
for the potential landing site of the plurality of potential landing sites, calculating a simulated flight path for the aircraft to travel from a current location of the aircraft to the potential landing site, based on the at least one simplified flight path simulation model; and
for the potential landing site of the plurality of potential landing sites, identifying for the simulated flight path a probability of the aircraft achieving a safe landing at the potential landing site, based on the at least one simplified flight path simulation model.