Patent ID: 7899620
Filing Date: 2011-03-01
Classification: G01C,G05D,G08G

Abstract:
1. A terrain avoidance method for an aircraft, in which a collision warning device is used which monitors flight of the aircraft with respect to a surrounding terrain and which is configured to transmit a warning signal when there is a risk of a collision between the aircraft and a relief of the terrain by maintaining its current flight characteristics, a method according to which, when said collision warning device transmits a warning signal, automatically, comprising: A/ determining an optimal slope climb command for the aircraft; B/ checking if a first altitude gain which is obtained at said relief by the aircraft, by applying said optimal slope climb command to said first altitude gain with a command to maintain a current heading, is sufficient to clear said relief; and C/ according to the check, if said first altitude gain is not sufficient to clear said relief, performing a search to determine if there is at least one heading variation value for which a second altitude gain which is obtained at the relief by the aircraft on applying to it an optimal slope climb command, is sufficient to clear said relief, wherein in step C: a) if said first altitude gain is sufficient to clear said relief, said optimal slope climb command is automatically applied to the aircraft with a command to maintain the current heading; and b) if said first altitude gain is not sufficient to clear said relief, and if there is at least one heading variation value for which a second altitude gain which is obtained at the relief by the aircraft, on applying to it an optimal slope climb command, is sufficient to clear said relief: