Patent ID: 8014912
Filing Date: 2011-09-06
Classification: G08G

Abstract:
1. A method for aiding the piloting of an airplane during an approach phase with a view to landing, in which method the following series of successive steps is carried out in an automatic and repetitive manner: a) the current values of flight parameters of the airplane are determined; b) at least one approach distance which corresponds to a distance in a horizontal plane between the current position of the airplane and a position of contact with the ground is determined at least with the aid of said current values; and c) at least this approach distance is presented to a pilot of the airplane on a viewing screen, wherein, in step b): b1) a descent profile is determined which illustrates an evolution in terms of speed and altitude of the airplane between the current position and the position of contact with the ground; b2) transition points which on each occasion are formed by a particular speed and a particular height are determined along said descent profile; b3) a total height which represents the height at which the airplane would be found with the same energy, but at zero speed, is determined for each of these transition points; and b4) a plurality of individual distances ΔXi is calculated from the current position of the airplane and up to the ground contact position, on each occasion between two successive transition points Pi+1 and Pi which exhibit respective total heights HTi+1 and HTi, with the aid of the following expression:  in which HT is the total height; and b5) the various individual distances calculated in step b4) are summed so as to obtain said approach distance.