Patent ID: 6366836
Filing Date: 2002-04-02
Classification: G05D

Abstract:
A method of changing a preselect altitude value in an avionics system of an aircraft, the method comprising:receiving a first input from a pilot of the aircraft in a first mode of operation; changing the preselect altitude value by a first amount from a current preselect altitude value in the first mode of operation in response to the first input; selecting a second mode of operation with a secondary input by the pilot; receiving a second input from the pilot of the aircraft in the second mode of operation; and changing in the second mode of operation the preselect altitude value by the first amount from the current preselect altitude value toward a minimum altitude value in response to the second input received from the pilot, wherein the minimum altitude value is an altitude by which the pilot must abort a landing approach if a runway is not visible, and wherein the first amount that the preselect altitude value is changed by is dependent upon a proximity of the current preselect altitude value to the minimum altitude value.