Method of pilot training using simulated engine failure
View Patent ↗The present invention relates to software for training an aircraft pilot to respond to the failure of one or more engines of a multi-engine aircraft during flight. The software simulates engine failure through the use of software imposed power output limits on the one or more engines for which failure is simulated. In certain embodiments, the software of the present invention sets one or more of the engine condition gauges to a fictitious readings corresponding to readings that would be displayed in the event of an actual engine failure.
1. A method for simulating an engine failure in a multiple-engine aircraft, the method comprising:
reducing the power output of a first engine to simulate the engine failure;
increasing the power output of at least a second engine to compensate for the reduction of the power output of the first engine; and
displaying fictional engine condition data simultaneously with accurate engine condition data.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein
the aircraft has more than two engines.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein
the aircraft is a helicopter.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
checking one or more aircraft safety systems before starting the simulation.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
limiting the total power output of the aircraft to the maximum power output of the engines which are not simulating the engine failure;
limiting the power output level of each engine which is not simulating the engine failure to a level at or below the level at which engine damage will occur; and
limiting the total power output of the engines which are simulating the engine failure to a level at or below the total power output of the aircraft minus the total power output of the engines which are not simulating the engine failure.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
monitoring one or more aircraft systems and returning the aircraft to normal operation whenever a fault is detected in any monitored system.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein
the displaying fictional engine condition data simultaneously with accurate engine condition data includes displaying fictional engine condition data for each of the first and second engines simultaneously with accurate engine condition data for each of the first and second engines.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein
the displaying of fictional engine condition data simultaneously with accurate engine condition data includes displaying the fictional engine condition data on a first display device and displaying the current, accurate engine condition data on a second display device, which is separate from the first display device.
9. A method for simulating an engine failure in a multiple-engine aircraft, the method comprising:
reducing the power output of a first engine to simulate the engine failure;
increasing the power output of at least a second engine to a power level sufficient to permit aircraft flight without significant damage to any engine; and
displaying fictional engine condition data indicating that the power output of the first engine is substantially zero and that the power output of the second engine is higher than the true power output,
wherein accurate engine condition data is provided in combination with the fictional engine condition data.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein
the fictional engine condition data is displayed on a flat panel display.
11. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
providing an alert any time the fictional power output of any engine exceeds the maximum power output attainable without engine damage.
12. The method of claim 9 , wherein
the fictional engine condition data is provided in the form of needle type gauges in combination with digital readouts.
13. The method of claim 9 , wherein
the displaying fictional engine condition data and providing accurate engine condition data includes displaying fictional engine condition data for each of the first and second engines simultaneously with accurate engine condition data for each of the first and second engines.
14. The method of claim 9 , wherein
the displaying of fictional engine condition data and the providing of accurate engine condition data includes displaying the fictional engine condition data on a first display device and displaying the current, accurate engine condition data on a second display device, which is separate from the first display device.
15. A computer-readable media encoded with a computer program for simulating an engine failure in a multiple-engine aircraft, the program comprising a method of:
reducing the power output of at least one engine to simulate the engine failure;
increasing the power output of at least a second engine to a power level sufficient to permit aircraft flight without significant damage to any engine; and
displaying fictional engine condition data simultaneously with accurate engine condition data.
16. The computer-readable media of claim 15 , wherein
the aircraft has more than two engines.
17. The computer-readable media of claim 15 , wherein
the aircraft is a helicopter.
18. The computer-readable media of claim 15 , wherein the method further comprises:
limiting the total power output of the aircraft to the maximum power output of the engines which are not simulating the engine failure;
limiting the power output level of each engine which does not have a simulated engine failure to a level at or below the level at which engine damage will occur; and
limiting the total power output of the engines which do have a simulated engine failure to a level at or below the total power output of the aircraft minus the total power output of the engines which are not simulating the engine failure.
19. The computer-readable media of claim 15 , wherein the method further comprises:
monitoring one or more aircraft systems and returning the aircraft to normal operation whenever a fault is detected in any monitored system.
20. The computer-readable media of claim 15 , wherein
the displaying fictional engine condition data simultaneously with accurate engine condition data includes displaying fictional engine condition data for each of the first and second engines simultaneously with accurate engine condition data for each of the first and second engines.
21. A computer-readable media encoded with a computer program for simulating engine failure in a multiple-engine aircraft, the program comprising a method of:
reducing the power output of an engine having a simulated engine failure;
increasing the power output of a second engine to a power level sufficient to permit aircraft flight without significant damage to any engine; and
displaying fictional engine condition data indicating that the power output of the simulated failed engine is zero and that the power output of at least one of the remaining engines is higher than the true value,
wherein accurate engine condition data is provided in combination with the fictional engine condition data.
22. The computer-readable media of claim 21 , wherein
the fictional engine condition data is displayed on a flat panel display.
23. The computer-readable media of claim 21 , wherein the method further comprises:
providing an alert any time the fictional power output of any engine exceeds the maximum power output attainable without engine damage.
24. The computer-readable media of claim 21 , wherein
the aircraft system condition data is provided in the form of needle type gauges in combination with digital readouts.
25. The computer-readable media of claim 21 , wherein
the displaying fictional engine condition data and providing accurate engine condition data includes displaying fictional engine condition data for each of the first and second engines simultaneously with accurate engine condition data for each of the first and second engines.
26. A multiple-engine aircraft comprising:
a first engine;
a second engine;
a computer-readable media encoded with a computer program, the program comprising a method of;
reducing the power output of the first engine to simulate engine failure;
increasing the power output of the second engine to compensate for the reduction of the power output of the first engine; and
displaying fictional engine condition data simultaneously with accurate engine condition data.
27. The aircraft of claim 26 , further comprising:
a third engine.
28. The aircraft of claim 26 , wherein
the aircraft is a helicopter.
29. The aircraft of claim 26 , wherein the method further comprises:
checking one or more aircraft safety systems before reducing the power to any engine.
30. The aircraft of claim 26 , wherein the method further comprises:
limiting the total power output of the aircraft to the maximum power output of the engines which are not simulating the engine failure;
limiting the power output level of each engine which is not simulating the engine failure to a level at or below the level at which engine damage will occur; and
limiting the total power output of the engines which are simulating the engine failure to a level at or below the total power output of the aircraft minus the total power output of the engines which are not simulating the engine failure.
31. The aircraft of claim 26 , wherein the method further comprises:
monitoring one or more aircraft systems and returning the aircraft to normal operation whenever a fault is detected in any monitored system.
32. The aircraft of claim 26 , wherein
the displaying fictional engine condition data simultaneously with accurate engine condition data includes displaying fictional engine condition data for each of the first and second engines simultaneously with accurate engine condition data for each of the first and second engines.