Patent ID: 6480120
Filing Date: 2002-11-12
Classification: G01C,G05D,G08G

Abstract:
A device for aiding air navigation and air safety of an airplane, said device comprising:an input for receiving status indications, capable of permitting a prediction of the path of the aircraft; a working memory capable of containing a local altimetric map from which an altitude envelope of the terrain can be defined in the vicinity of the aircraft; first path prediction means so as to establish a vertical limit path of the aircraft, on the basis of said status indications and selected flight parameters, in the vertical surface containing the axis of its path; first comparison means for effecting a first comparison between this vertical limit path and the corresponding part of the altitude envelope, so as to determine a hazard of a vertical collision with the ground; alarm means to establish at least one alarm status according to the result of the first comparison; second prediction means for establishing, on the basis of said status indications and selected flight parameters, a lateral limit path for the aircraft on one side of the vertical of the flight path, and second comparison means for effecting a second comparison between this lateral limit path and the corresponding part of the altitude envelope; and wherein said alarm means are operative so as to modify said at least one alarm status relating to the first comparison, if the second comparison means do not indicate any collision hazard with the ground.