System and method for graphically displaying airspace speed data

1. A method for graphically displaying airspace on an aircraft display, the method comprising:

retrieving airspace data from a database, the airspace data defining a maximum permitted speed in the airspace;

displaying a visual representation of the airspace on the aircraft display; and

altering the format of the visual representation of the airspace displayed on the aircraft display responsive to exceeding the maximum permitted speed in the airspace, where the maximum permitted speed in the airspace is defined by an airspace class associated with the airspace.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the visual representation of the airspace is a line delineating the airspace.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein altering the format of the visual representation of the airspace comprises changing the color of the line.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein altering the format of the visual representation of the airspace comprises changing the line from a solid line to a broken line.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising altering the format of the visual representation when the airspace is selected by a user.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising, generating an aural alert when the aircraft exceeds the maximum permitted speed.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying airspace data proximate to the visual representation of the airspace on the display.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of displaying aircraft data comprises displaying at least one of maximum permitted speed airspace class, altitude range and name of airspace.

9. A system for graphically displaying airspaces on a display, comprising:

an avionics display; and

a processor coupled to the avionics display and configured to (1) retrieve airspace data from a database, the airspace data defining a maximum permitted speed in an airspace; (2) display a visual representation of the airspace on the avionics display; and (3) alter the format of the visual representation of the airspace responsive to exceeding the maximum permitted speed in the airspace, where the maximum permitted speed in the airspace is defined by an airspace class associated with the airspace.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the visual representation of the airspace comprises a line enclosing the airspace, and wherein the processor is configured to alter the format of the visual representation of the airspace by altering a format of the line as displayed on the avionics display.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein the processor is further configured to display aircraft data proximate the visual representation of the airspace on the display.

12. The system of claim 9 wherein the processor is configured to alter the format of the visual representation of the airspace by changing a color of the visual representation of the airspace as displayed on the avionics display.

13. A method for graphically displaying airspace on an aircraft cockpit display, the method comprising:

retrieving aircraft data from a database;

displaying the aircraft data on the display;

displaying a visual representation of the airspace; and

altering the visual representation to a third visual representation, if the aircraft exceeds a permitted maximum speed in the airspace, where the maximum permitted speed in the airspace is defined by an airspace class associated with the airspace.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein altering the visual representation comprises changing the appearance of a line delineating the airspace.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein changing the appearance of the line delineating the airspace comprises changing a color of the line delineating the airspace.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising displaying airspace data proximate to the airspace.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein displaying aircraft data comprises displaying at least one of maximum permitted speed airspace class, altitude range and name of airspace.