Patent ID: 7365652
Filing Date: 2008-04-29
Classification: G01S,G05D

Abstract:
1. A method for supporting pilots in landing helicopters in visual flight under brownout or whiteout conditions, said method comprising: generating current 3D data of a planned landing site during an approach for landing; using an accumulation of said current 3D data, together with current position and attitude data of the helicopter, to generate a 3D representation of the landing site, which 3D representation continuously displays a virtual view of the landing site corresponding to the current actual position and attitude of the helicopter, which view is displayed for the pilot; detecting occurrence of a preset condition that is indicative of possible existence of a current brownout or whiteout of said landing site; upon detection of said condition, i) a control routine causing discontinuation of use of current 3D data of the planned landing site in generating the 3D representation; and ii) generating said 3D representation based on 3D data generated prior to detection of said condition, and on current actual position and attitude of the helicopter.