Patent ID: 8700317
Filing Date: 2014-04-15
Classification: G08G

Abstract:
1. A method of calculating a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published or FAA Air Traffic Control assigned aeronautical holding pattern, comprising the steps of: (a) determining wind speed and direction; (b) choosing a direction of a holding pattern from the group comprising left-hand and right-hand; (c) selecting a start point and an end point of an inbound leg of the holding pattern; (d) generating, with an electronic processor and by solving differential equations, a spiral path of an aircraft given the wind speed and direction determined in step (a) making a turn in the direction chosen in step (b); (e) copying and translating the spiral path, with the electronic processor, so that for a first copy its starting point is the end point of the inbound leg selected in step (c), and for a second copy its ending point is the start point of the inbound leg selected in step (c); (f) running a search routine, with the electronic processor, to locate positions on the first and second copy of the spiral path that have, as close as possible, the same bearing; (g) making the positions located in step (f) the start and end points of an outbound leg of the holding pattern; and (h) flying an aircraft in the holding pattern; wherein, “spiral path” is defined as a curved path with a continuously increasing radius of curvature.