Patent ID: 9304514
Filing Date: 2016-04-05
CPC Classification: G01S,G05D,G08G

Claim Text:
1. A method of guiding an aircraft during a low level flight, the method including steps comprising: defining a safety corridor, a width of which is increased, relative to a nominal width, by at least one escape width corresponding to a width of an escape trajectory defined by a spiral climb of the aircraft; constructing a flight trajectory as a function of a relief of an overflown terrain and the defined safety corridor, the safety corridor defining limits on either side of the flight trajectory at least in a lateral plane; guiding the aircraft along the flight trajectory; and when a fault condition is detected in a system necessary for execution of a low level flight operation, performing an escape maneuver, while guiding the aircraft, by causing the aircraft to climb to a safety height, and causing the aircraft to fly in accordance with a spiral climb maneuver with a turn having a minimum turn radius of the aircraft, in accordance with a rotation direction directed toward a side of the safety corridor on which the safety corridor is widened by the escape width so that the aircraft remains within the limits of the safety corridor.