Patent ID: 8121747
Filing Date: 2012-02-21
Classification: G01C

Abstract:
1. A process to be carried out by a flight management system (FMS) deployed onboard an aircraft and including a display device and a user interface, the FMS operable in a plurality of non-precision approach modes including a FMS landing system (FLS) guidance mode, the process comprising the steps of: establishing the FLS guidance mode as the non-precision approach default mode; receiving data via the user interface designating an approach in a flight plan; enabling a pilot to utilize the user interface to deactivate the FLS guidance mode if the designated approach is a non-precision approach; determining whether the designated approach is compatible with the FLS guidance mode based, at least in part, on the linearity of an approach path definition; generating an alert on the display device if the designated approach is determined to be incompatible with the FLS guidance mode and the FLS guidance mode is not deactivated via the user interface; and placing the FMS in the selected non-precision approach mode during the designated approach if the designated approach is determined to be compatible with the FLS guidance mode and the FLS guidance mode is not deactivated via the user interface.