Method and device for landing aircraft dependent on runway occupancy time
View Patent ↗A technique for landing aircraft using an aircraft landing accident avoidance device is disclosed. The technique includes determining at least two probability distribution functions; determining a safe lower limit on a separation between a lead aircraft and a trail aircraft on a glide slope to the runway; determining a maximum sustainable safe attempt-to-land rate on the runway based on the safe lower limit and the probability distribution functions; directing the trail aircraft to enter the glide slope with a target separation from the lead aircraft corresponding to the maximum sustainable safe attempt-to-land rate; while the trail aircraft is in the glide slope, determining an actual separation between the lead aircraft and the trail aircraft; and directing the trail aircraft to execute a go-around maneuver if the actual separation approaches the safe lower limit. Probability distribution functions include runway occupancy time, and landing time interval and/or inter-arrival distance.
1. A method for landing aircraft on a runway using an aircraft landing accident avoidance device, comprising:
a. determining at least two probability distribution functions, where one of the probability distribution functions is runway occupancy time, and where another is:
1. landing time interval;
2. inter-arrival distance; or
3. a combination thereof;
b. determining a safe lower limit on a separation between a lead aircraft and a trail aircraft on a glide slope to the runway;
c. determining a maximum sustainable safe attempt-to-land rate on the runway based on the safe lower limit and the probability distribution functions;
d. directing the trail aircraft to enter the glide slope with a target separation from the lead aircraft corresponding to the maximum sustainable safe attempt-to-land rate;
e. while the trail aircraft is in the glide slope, determining an actual separation between the lead aircraft and the trail aircraft; and
f. directing the trail aircraft to execute a go-around maneuver if the actual separation approaches the safe lower limit.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the go-around maneuver begins at a wake vortex decision point.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein determining a maximum sustainable safe attempt-to-land rate includes determining:
a. a maximum sustainable safe throughput;
b. a maximum sustainable safe net economic output; or
c. a combination of the above.
4. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the maximum sustainable safe throughput is determined using a probability of executing the go-around maneuver and the maximum sustainable safe attempt-to-land rate.
5. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the maximum sustainable net economic output is determined using a ratio premised on the cost of go-around maneuvers to the benefit of landings.
6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the safe lower limit depends on atmospheric conditions.
7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the safe lower limit depends on the physical characteristics of the lead aircraft and the physical characteristics of the trail aircraft.
8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the timing of when to direct the trail aircraft to execute a go-around maneuver considers the reaction time of the trail aircraft.
9. An aircraft landing accident avoidance device comprising:
a. a probability distribution function module configured for determining at least two probability distribution functions, where one of the probability distribution functions is runway occupancy time, and where another is:
1. landing time interval;
2. inter-arrival distance; or
3. a combination thereof;
b. a safe lower limit module configured for determining a safe lower limit on a separation between a lead aircraft and a trail aircraft on a glide slope to a runway;
c. a maximum sustainable safe attempt-to-land rate module configured for determining a maximum sustainable safe attempt-to-land rate on the runway based on the safe lower limit and the probability distribution functions;
d. a glide slope decision module configured for directing the trail aircraft to enter the glide slope with a target separation from the lead aircraft corresponding to the maximum sustainable safe attempt-to-land rate;
e. an actual separation module configured for determining an actual separation between the lead aircraft and the trail aircraft while the trail aircraft is in the glide slope; and
f. a warning module configured for directing the trail aircraft to execute a go-around maneuver if the actual separation approaches the safe lower limit.
10. The device according to claim 9 , wherein the go-around maneuver begins at a wake vortex decision point.
11. The device according to claim 9 , wherein the maximum sustainable safe attempt-to-land rate module includes:
d. a maximum sustainable safe throughput module;
e. a maximum sustainable net economic output module; or
f. a combination of the above.
12. The device according to claim 11 , wherein the maximum sustainable safe throughput module is configured for using a probability of executing the go-around maneuver and the maximum sustainable safe attempt-to-land rate.
13. The device according to claim 11 , wherein the maximum sustainable net economic output module is configured for using a ratio premised on the cost of go-around maneuvers to the benefit of landings.
14. The device according to claim 9 , wherein the safe lower limit depends on atmospheric conditions.
15. The device according to claim 9 , wherein the safe lower limit depends on the physical characteristics of the lead aircraft and the physical characteristics of the trail aircraft.
16. The device according to claim 9 , wherein the warning module considers the reaction time of the trail aircraft as to when to direct the trail aircraft to execute a go-around maneuver.
17. A computer readable storage medium including instructions for performing a method, when executed by a processor, for landing aircraft on a runway using an accident avoidance processor, the method comprising:
a. determining at least two probability distribution functions, where one of the probability distribution functions is runway occupancy time, and where another is:
1. landing time interval;
2. inter-arrival distance; or
3. a combination thereof;
b. determining a safe lower limit on a separation between a lead aircraft and a trail aircraft on a glide slope to the runway;
c. determining a maximum sustainable safe attempt-to-land rate on the runway based on the safe lower limit and the probability distribution functions;
d. directing the trail aircraft to enter the glide slope with a target separation from the lead aircraft corresponding to the maximum sustainable safe attempt-to-land rate;
e. while the trail aircraft is in the glide slope, determining an actual separation between the lead aircraft and the trail aircraft; and
f. directing the trail aircraft to execute a go-around maneuver if the actual separation approaches the safe lower limit.
18. The computer readable storage medium according to claim 17 , wherein the go-around maneuver begins at a wake vortex decision point.
19. The computer readable storage medium according to claim 17 , wherein determining a maximum sustainable safe attempt-to-land rate includes determining:
a. a maximum sustainable safe throughput using a probability of executing the go-around maneuver and the maximum sustainable safe attempt-to-land rate;
b. a maximum sustainable net economic output using a ratio premised on the cost of go-around maneuvers to the benefit of landings; or
c. a combination of the above.
20. The computer readable storage medium according to claim 17 , wherein the safe lower limit depends on:
a. atmospheric conditions;
b. the physical characteristics of the lead aircraft; and
c. the physical characteristics of the trail aircraft.