Method and device for assisting in the piloting of an aircraft

A device for assisting in the piloting of an aircraft includes a detecting device for detecting all the aircraft in the vicinity and a display device for presenting, on a display screen illustrating a vertical plane, characteristic symbols indicating the positions of these aircraft in the vicinity.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and device for assisting in the piloting of an aircraft, in particular a military or civilian transport airplane.

BACKGROUND OF THE RELATED ART

Normally, the traffic surrounding an aircraft is represented onboard that aircraft on a display screen that, more often than not, indicates a position in plan mode, of the PPI (Plan Position Indicator) type, illustrating a graphical representation in the horizontal plane of the aeronautical surroundings of the aircraft. Such a display mode enables the pilot of the aircraft to easily identify the bearing and the distance of the aircraft in the vicinity displayed, but, however, not their vertical position. Also, to overcome this oversight, there are also normally displayed numerical values (relative or absolute) indicating the altitudes of the various aircraft in the vicinity. However, such a numerical representation of the altitude (or vertical position), associated with the abovementioned graphical representation (which is far more intuitive) of the horizontal position, makes understanding and perceiving the real position of the various aircraft in the vicinity difficult for the pilot. This display mode involves in particular a significant workload and a significant time to enable the pilot to mentally integrate the actual situation of the air environment of his aircraft.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method for assisting in the piloting of an aircraft, in particular a transport airplane, which can be used to remedy the abovementioned drawbacks.

To this end, said method whereby there is presented, on at least one display screen of said aircraft, a set of information that illustrates a vertical plane and that comprises:a system of axes, of which a Y axis is graduated altitude-wise, and an X axis is graduated distance-wise from the position of the aircraft; anda characteristic symbol representing the aircraft, which is positioned on said Y axis, in a position representative of the altitude of said aircraft, and
is noteworthy in that, during a flight of the aircraft:a) automatic surveillance of the surroundings of said aircraft is carried out, so as to be able to detect all aircraft in the vicinity that are located in a particular detection space situated at least in front of said aircraft; andb) for each of the aircraft in the vicinity detected in the step a), the following successive series of operations is performed automatically:b1) distance and altitude information concerning the aircraft in the vicinity is generated;b2) this distance and altitude information is used to determine a distance value and an altitude value; andb3) there is displayed, on said display screen, an auxiliary characteristic symbol that represents said aircraft in the vicinity and that is positioned on said system of axes in a position corresponding:on said Y axis, to said altitude value; andon said X axis, to said distance value.

Thus, with the invention, the pilot of the aircraft is supplied with a graphical representation that provides him with a readily understandable and legible display of the actual situation of his surroundings, in particular in the vertical plane, since each auxiliary characteristic symbol representing one of the aircraft in the vicinity detected is located on the Y axis (namely the vertical scale) at the corresponding altitude value (that is, at its actual altitude, absolute or relative, as specified below). This graphical representation of the vertical plane is far more intuitive for the pilot than a normal numerical representation of the altitude.

The method of assistance according to the invention also makes it possible to inform the pilot on the distance (distance value on the X axis) of the various aircraft in the vicinity.

Consequently, the method according to the invention enables the pilot to improve his perception of the actual situation of the surroundings of his aircraft, and makes it possible to reduce his workload, by significantly reducing the time it takes to understand the surrounding traffic.

Advantageously, in the step b1), distance and altitude information relating to at least one of said aircraft in the vicinity is generated:using a radar detection applied from said aircraft; orusing the detection on the aircraft of a response from said aircraft in the vicinity to a prior interrogation sent from said aircraft; orusing the reception on the aircraft of information that is transmitted by said aircraft in the vicinity.

Furthermore, advantageously, in the step b2), the distance between the actual position of the aircraft and an auxiliary position linked to said aircraft in the vicinity is determined as a distance value for at least one aircraft in the vicinity. In this case, said auxiliary position corresponds, advantageously;simply to the actual position of the aircraft in the vicinity; orto the orthogonal projection of that actual position of the aircraft in the vicinity on the axis of said aircraft; orto the orthogonal projection of said actual position of the aircraft in the vicinity on a segment of the flight path of the aircraft, and namely on that which is the nearest to this actual position.

Moreover, the method according to the present invention can present numerous other advantageous features. In particular:different distance values of aircraft in the vicinity can be highlighted, on the display screen, by different symbol systems; and/orthe presentation characteristics of said set of information can depend on at least one particular parameter such as the flight phase of the aircraft for example; and/orsaid Y axis of said system of axes can have a variable scale; and/orat least one auxiliary characteristic symbol presented on said display screen can be interactive.

Furthermore, in a particular embodiment, the following operations are also carried out:for at least one aircraft in the vicinity detected in the step a), its flight path angle is determined; andin the step b3), there is also displayed, on the display screen, in association with the auxiliary characteristic symbol representing that aircraft in the vicinity, a straight-line segment illustrating its flight path angle.

The above operations can also be carried out for the aircraft on which the present invention is implemented.

Moreover, in a preferred embodiment, said display screen comprises at least two display windows, of which a first window comprises said set of information (abovementioned, illustrating the vertical plane) and a second window comprises a set of additional information, of the usual type, that illustrates a horizontal plane and that comprises:a system of axes graduated distance-wise and bearing-wise;a characteristic symbol illustrating the aircraft; andauxiliary characteristic symbols illustrating the aircraft in the vicinity that have been detected.

Thus, by associating with the graphical representation in the vertical plane according to the invention, a graphical representation in the horizontal plane of the usual type, the pilot can improve his perception of the actual situation of his environment, since the representation in the horizontal plane particularly provides additional information relating to the bearings of the aircraft in the vicinity.

The present invention also relates to a device for assisting in the piloting of an aircraft, in particular a transport airplane.

According to the invention, said device of the type comprising display means that can present, on at least one display screen of said aircraft, a set of information that illustrates a vertical plane and that comprises:a system of axes, of which a Y axis is graduated altitude-wise, and an X axis is graduated distance-wise from the position of the aircraft; anda characteristic symbol representing the aircraft, which is positioned on said Y axis in a position representative of the altitude of said aircraft,
is noteworthy in that:said device also comprises:first means for performing an automatic surveillance of the surroundings of said aircraft so as to be able to detect all aircraft in the vicinity that are located in a particular detection space situated at least in front of said aircraft;second means for generating, for each of the aircraft in the vicinity detected by said first means, distance and altitude information; andthird means for determining, for each of said aircraft in the vicinity detected, using said distance and altitude information, a distance value and an altitude value; andsaid display means are formed so as to present, on said display screen, for each of the aircraft in the vicinity detected by said first means, an auxiliary characteristic symbol that represents the aircraft in the vicinity concerned and that is positioned on said system of axes in a position corresponding:on said Y axis, to the corresponding altitude value; andon said X axis, to the corresponding distance value.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The device1according to the invention and represented schematically inFIG. 1, is intended to assist operators (pilot, copilot, etc.) of an aircraft, not shown, for example a military transport airplane, when piloting said aircraft.

To do this, said assistance device1which is onboard the aircraft, comprises display means2which can present, on a display window3of a standard display screen4, a set of information5specified below. Said display window3can be represented on a part6A of the display screen4, for example a bottom part of the latter. It can also be represented over all of said display screen4.

Said set of information5illustrates a vertical plane and comprises, as represented inFIG. 2:a system of axes SA, of which a Y axis7is graduated altitude-wise, preferably expressed in feet (one foot measuring approximately 0.3 meters), and an X axis8which is graduated distance-wise from the position of the aircraft illustrated by a characteristic symbol9, said distance preferably being expressed in nautical miles NM (one nautical mile being approximately 1852 meters);said characteristic symbol9which represents the aircraft and which is positioned on said Y axis7in a position PO representative of the altitude of said aircraft; and, where appropriatea standard plot T1, representing the profile of the terrain being flown over and showing a vertical section10. This plot T1can be formed according to the current route of the aircraft; anda standard plot T2, located above the plot T1and representing a safe altitude.

Said device1can also comprise a set12of information sources, which is linked via a link13to said display means2. Said set12of information sources can, in particular, comprise the following means not described in any more detail:a central processing unit for acquiring and processing information, for example a flight management system FMS; andnormal information sources such as navigation instruments and sensors giving information on the state and position of the aircraft, for example.

According to the invention, said device1further comprises:means14:that make it possible to automatically monitor the surroundings of said aircraft so as to be able to detect all aircraft in the vicinity that are located in a particular detection space located at least in front of said aircraft; andthat comprise incorporated means for generating, for each of the aircraft in the vicinity detected, distance and altitude information specified below; andmeans15that are linked via a link16to said means14and that are formed so as to determine, for each of the aircraft in the vicinity detected, using distance and altitude information received from said means14, a distance value and an altitude value that are transmitted via a link17to said display means2.

Furthermore, according to the invention, said display means2are formed to present, on said display window3of said display screen4, auxiliary characteristic symbols18A,18B and18C that respectively represent the different aircraft in the vicinity detected by the means14. According to the invention, each of said auxiliary characteristic symbols18A,18B and18C is positioned on said system of axes SA in a position19A,19B,19C that corresponds:on said Y axis7, to the corresponding altitude value determined by the means15; andon said X axis8, to the corresponding distance value (specified below), also determined by said means15.

Thus, the device1according to the invention supplies the pilot of the aircraft with a graphical representation that gives him a readily understandable and intuitive presentation of the actual situation of his surroundings, in particular in the vertical plane, since each auxiliary characteristic symbol18A,18B,18C representing one of the aircraft in the vicinity detected is located on the Y axis7(namely the vertical scale) at the corresponding altitude value (that is, at its actual altitude, absolute or relative, as specified below).

Said device1also makes it possible to inform the pilot on the distance (distance value on the X axis8) of the various aircraft in the vicinity.

Consequently, the device1according to the invention enables the pilot to improve his perception of the actual situation of the surroundings of his aircraft, and makes it possible to reduce his workload, by significantly reducing the time it takes to understand the surrounding traffic.

In the context of the present invention, said means14intended to generate distance and altitude information for the various aircraft in the vicinity can be implemented according to various embodiments, making it possible to obtain the geographic location of the various aircraft in the vicinity relative to the aircraft equipped with said device1.

In a first embodiment, said means14perform a normal direct, non-cooperative, radar-type detection. The radar that is mounted on the aircraft equipped with the device1is able to know the elevation (bearing, distance, elevation) of the various aircraft in the vicinity so as to obtain a relative position for each of said aircraft in the vicinity relative to said aircraft. This embodiment is particularly appropriate in the case where not all the aircraft in the vicinity have a cooperative system as described below.

In a second embodiment, said means14perform a detection by response to interrogation, relating to a traffic collision avoidance system, TCAS. With such a cooperative system, the aircraft equipped with the device1interrogates the aircraft in the vicinity which return information enabling them to be located, in the form of absolute geographic positions.

Furthermore, in a third embodiment, said means14are formed so as to regularly receive from the aircraft in the vicinity position information making it possible to locate them. The means14take account, in this case, of an automatic transmission of surveillance parameters of the ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) type. The duly obtained position is also an absolute geographic position.

As indicated previously, said means14perform a surveillance of the surroundings in a detection space. This detection space can correspond to any space around the aircraft, where said means14are technically able to perform a detection. It can also correspond (solely) to the space that can be displayed on the display screen4.

From the abovementioned information generated by the means14, the means15are able to determine the altitude values that correspond to the actual altitudes of the various aircraft in the vicinity. The actual altitude of an aircraft in the vicinity is deduced from the vertical position of that aircraft in the vicinity, which is known either in a relative manner (abovementioned first embodiment) or in an absolute manner (abovementioned second and third embodiments).

Furthermore, said means15determine, as a distance value for an aircraft in the vicinity, the distance between the actual position of the aircraft (equipped with the device1) and an auxiliary position linked to that aircraft in the vicinity. In this case, said auxiliary position corresponds:simply and directly to the actual position of the aircraft in the vicinity. Thus, the distance between the characteristic symbol9and the corresponding auxiliary characteristic symbol directly illustrates the actual distance between the two aircraft, independent of their directions; orto the orthogonal projection of that actual position of the aircraft in the vicinity on the axis of said aircraft equipped with the device1; orto the orthogonal projection of said actual position of the aircraft in the vicinity on a segment S1, S2, S3of the flight path T0of the aircraft equipped with the device1, and more specifically on the segment that is closest to that actual position, as detailed further below with reference toFIG. 3.

It will be noted that, in the context of the present invention, different symbol systems can be used to show the distances of the aircraft in the vicinity relative to a planographic plane taken into account. It is possible in particular to use a set of different colors, different broken lines, and variable sizes.

Moreover, in the context of the present invention, said display means2can be formed so as to implement the following characteristics:the modes of presentation of said set of information5can depend on at least one particular parameter, for example the flight phase or an altitude stratum (offering a benefit);the display can also be filtered according to various parameters such as the flight phase, the position of the aircraft in the vicinity relative to the flight plane, etc;different or variable scales can be applied to the Y axis7, in order to improve the accuracy of the information in a given altitude stratum. As an example, in cruising flight, only the levels close to the aircraft equipped with the device1can be of interest; andthe various auxiliary characteristic symbols18A,18B and18C can be interactive such that, on pointing and activating a cursor on one of said symbols18A,18B and18C, the display means2display information concerning the corresponding aircraft in the vicinity, such as its speed, its altitude, its bearing or data enabling it to be identified.

Moreover, in one particular embodiment, said device1also comprises means, for example said means14, making it possible to provide the flight path angle (FPA) of the aircraft in the vicinity, and of the aircraft on which the device1is mounted. This FPA value can be obtained, either by direct transmission (ADS-B), or by trigonometrical calculation on position and altitude variations at two successive instants. The display means2are formed so as to present on the window3of the display screen4, in association with the auxiliary characteristic symbol representing an aircraft in the vicinity or the aircraft equipped with the device1, a straight-line segment illustrating the corresponding flight path angle.FIG. 2shows such straight-line segments20A and20B in association with the auxiliary characteristic symbols18A and18B.

Moreover, in a preferred embodiment, the screen4is a navigation screen, of the ND (Navigation Display) type, which comprises, in addition to the window3located in its bottom part6A, a window22located in its top part6B, as represented inFIG. 3. The window22comprises a set of information23that corresponds to a normal presentation on a navigation screen and illustrates the situation of the aircraft (lateral flight plane) in a horizontal plane. This set of information23comprises in particular, as represented inFIG. 3:a symbol24illustrating the position of the aircraft;a plot TL representing the lateral flight path, that is, the flight path T0of the aircraft in the horizontal plane. The corresponding vertical path TV is displayed in the window3;an angular separation graduation E1;a distance graduation E2; andauxiliary characteristic symbols25D,25E and25F located in the horizontal positions of aircraft in the vicinity that are shown, in the set of information5relative to the vertical plane, respectively by the symbols18D,18E and18F.

In the horizontal plane, the flight path TL comprises a plurality of straight-line segments S1, S2, S3that are joined at way points P1, P2. In the example ofFIG. 3, the positions of the aircraft in the vicinity are orthogonally projected on the segment S1, S2, S3of the flight path T0which is closest to that actual position. Thus:the aircraft in the vicinity illustrated by the symbols18D and25D is projected onto the segment S2;the aircraft illustrated by the symbols18E and25E is projected onto the segment S2; andthe aircraft illustrated by the symbols18F and25F is projected onto the segment S3.

Thus, by associating with the graphical representation in the vertical plane (set of information5) according to the invention, a graphical representation in the horizontal plane (set of information23) of the normal type, the device1makes it possible for the pilot to improve the perception of the actual situation of his surroundings, since the representation in the horizontal plane provides additional information, such as the bearings of the aircraft in the vicinity for example.