Emergency autoland system
Autoland systems and processes for landing an aircraft without pilot intervention are described. In implementations, the autoland system includes a memory operable to store one or more modules and at least one processor coupled to the memory. The processor is operable to execute the one or more modules to identify a plurality of potential destinations for an aircraft. The processor can also calculate a merit for each potential destination identified, select a destination based upon the merit; receive terrain data and/or obstacle data, the including terrain characteristic(s) and/or obstacle characteristic(s); and create a route from a current position of the aircraft to an approach fix associated with the destination, the route accounting for the terrain characteristic(s) and/or obstacle characteristic(s). The processor can also cause the aircraft to traverse the route, and cause the aircraft to land at the destination without requiring pilot intervention.
1. An aircraft autoland system for an aircraft, the system comprising:
a memory operable to store one or more modules; and
a processor coupled to the memory, the processor operable to execute the one or more modules to cause the processor to:
select a destination for the aircraft;
create a route from a current position of the aircraft to the destination;
cause the aircraft to traverse the route;
control a display to present a plurality of notifications to a user of the aircraft, the notifications including—
a first notification indicating that an autoland module is active,
a second notification indicating a next action the aircraft will take, and
a third notification indicating whether user action is required; and
cause the aircraft to land at the destination without requiring pilot intervention.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor causes the first, second, and third notifications to be presented simultaneously on the display.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second notification includes dynamic information about the route.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second notification includes an indication of future landing gear deployment.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second notification includes an indication of future flap deployment.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the notifications further include a fourth notification indicating a current status of the aircraft.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the third notification includes dynamic fuel management instructions.
8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the dynamic fuel management instructions include an instruction to switch a fuel selector of the aircraft.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the third notification includes instructions for communicating with air traffic control.
10. An aircraft autoland system for an aircraft, the system comprising:
a memory operable to store one or more modules; and
a processor coupled to the memory, the processor operable to execute the one or more modules to cause the processor to:
select a destination for the aircraft;
create a route from a current position of the aircraft to the destination;
cause the aircraft to traverse the route;
control a display to present a plurality of simultaneous notifications to a user of the aircraft, the notifications including—
a first notification indicating that an autoland module is active,
a second notification indicating a next action the aircraft will take, the second notification including dynamic information about the route,
a third notification indicating whether user action is required, and
a fourth notification indicating a current status of the aircraft; and
cause the aircraft to land at the destination without requiring pilot intervention.
11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the second notification includes an indication of future landing gear deployment.
12. The system of claim 10 , wherein the second notification includes an indication of future flap deployment.
13. The system of claim 10 , wherein the third notification includes dynamic fuel management instructions.
14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the dynamic fuel management instructions include an instruction to switch a fuel selector of the aircraft.
15. The system of claim 10 , wherein the third notification includes instructions for communicating with air traffic control.
16. A process for autolanding an aircraft:
selecting a destination for the aircraft;
creating a route from a current position of the aircraft to the destination;
causing the aircraft to traverse the route;
displaying a plurality of notifications to a user of the aircraft, the notifications including—
a first notification indicating that an autoland module is active,
a second notification indicating a next action the aircraft will take, and
a third notification indicating whether user action is required; and
causing the aircraft to land at the destination without requiring pilot intervention.
17. The process of claim 16 , wherein the second notification includes dynamic information about the route.
18. The process of claim 16 , wherein the second notification includes an indication of future landing gear deployment.
19. The process of claim 16 , wherein the notifications further include a fourth notification indicating a current status of the aircraft.
20. The process of claim 16 , wherein the third notification includes dynamic fuel management instructions.