Device for aiding the piloting of an aircraft during an approach phase for the purpose of landing

Disclosed is a device for aiding the piloting of an aircraft in an approach phase during landing. The device includes a guidance system for aiding guidance of the aircraft. Controllers can be actuated by the system during an initial phase in accordance with a first guidance mode and during a terminal phase in accordance with a second guidance mode. The transition between the first and second guidance modes can be achieved automatically by the guidance system.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for assisting with flying an aircraft, particularly a transport airplane during an approach phase with a view to landing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Within the context of the present invention, said approach phase exhibits:an initial phase defined between a first point (known as the “final approach point”) and a second point (known as the “transition point”), during which phase the aircraft is guided according to a predetermined flight plan observing required navigational performance (“Required Navigation Performance” being a universally recognized English-language expression often abbreviated to RNP); anda terminal phase defined between this transition point and the actual landing on a runway, during which phase the aircraft is guided along a line of approach.

It is know that, in an international context in which air traffic is ever on the increase, aircraft flight paths are allocated flight lanes of increasingly narrow width. In order to be able to reduce this flight lane width, consideration is given in particular to certain aspects of said aircraft performance. The latter characteristics are in particular implemented during said initial phase of the approach phase between said final approach point and said transition point.

It is also known that the performance aspects that an aircraft needs to be able to observe in order to remain inside such a flight lane are of two types, namely:guidance performance: the objective being to make the aircraft correctly follow a flight plan, that is to say to minimize a guidance error (known by its English-language term “Flight Technical Error” or FTE); andnavigation performance: the objective being to have a good estimate of the actual position of the aircraft, that is to say to minimize a position estimation error (“Position Estimation Error” being a universally acknowledged English-language term often abbreviated to PEE).

In order to meet the above performance criteria it is therefore necessary to minimize the sum of these two errors FTE and PEE, namely a total error known by its English-language term “Total System Error” or TSE.

The ability to adhere to this TSE parameter is one of the requisite conditions that in particular will allow:the aircraft to be flown in novel types of approach, over terrain containing obstacles or exhibiting landing restrictions;simultaneous approaches to be made to runways that are situated close together; andlower minimum landing decision types to be authorized.

As a result, giving consideration to navigation and guidance performance of the RNP type in the aforementioned initial phase (between said final approach point and said transition point) makes it possible to lower the minimum decision heights by comparison with a customary non-precision approach, but does not make it possible to drop below a predetermined altitude, of 250 feet (approximately 75 meters) for example, which relates to said transition point.

From said transition point onward, said terminal phase of the approach phase can be implemented, guiding the aircraft along a line of approach which is consistent with a precision instrument landing approach using, for example, instruments of the ILS (the abbreviation for the recognized English term “Instrument Landing System”) or with a non-precision approach.

However, in situations such as these, at the transition (at said transition point) between the initial phase and the terminal phase, the change in guidance mode is generally performed somewhat abruptly, particularly as regards the guidance proper, and in terms of the display of corresponding information presented to the crew. This in particular gives rise to the following disadvantages:discomfort to the passengers and the pilot;pilot stress as the aircraft reacts sharply; andduring the initial phase, a lack of information presented to the pilot that will allow him to position the aircraft relative to a line of approach xLS (specified hereinbelow) and check that the position of the aircraft is consistent with this line xLS.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device to assist with flying an aircraft during an approach phase with a view to landing, which will be able to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages, said approach phase exhibiting:an initial phase defined between a first transition point and at least one second transition point, during which phase the aircraft is guided according to a predetermined flight plan observing the required navigation performance; anda terminal phase defined between this second transition point and the landing, during which phase the aircraft is guided along a line of approach.

To this end, according to the invention, said device of the type comprising:a collection of information sources capable of supplying information relating to the aircraft and particularly relating to its current position;a navigation database;a calculation system capable of determining:a flight path relative to said flight plan;first lateral and vertical deviations between the current position of the aircraft and said flight path;said line of approach; andsecond lateral and vertical deviations between the current position of the aircraft and said line of approach;a guidance system capable of assisting with guiding the aircraft; anda display system,
is notable in that:said device additionally comprises a control system comprising at least one actuatable control means allowing a pilot of the aircraft to instigate (namely set or engage depending on the embodiment) a hybrid approach mode comprising a first guidance mode for guiding the aircraft during said initial phase and a second guidance mode for guiding the aircraft during said terminal phase;said calculation system is formed in such a way as to determine, as soon as said control means is actuated, both said first and second deviations relative to said instigated hybrid approach mode and to do so as soon as all the information needed to do so becomes available onboard the aircraft;said guidance system is formed in such a way as to assist with guiding the aircraft, if said control means is actuated, both during said initial phase between said first and second transition points in accordance with said first guidance mode, and during said terminal phase from said second transition point onwards, according to said second guidance mode, the transition between said first and second guidance modes being performed automatically by said guidance system; andsaid display system is formed in such a way as to display, on at least one display screen, as soon as said control means is actuated, at least:an indication means indicating said hybrid approach mode instigated;an indication means indicating, as appropriate, at least the current guidance mode of said instigated hybrid approach mode; andindication means respectively representative of said first and second deviations, this being as soon as these become available.

Thus, by virtue of the invention:the transition between the first and second guidance modes (that is to say between guidance relating respectively to said initial and terminal phases) is performed automatically by the guidance system; andthe aircraft crew is kept informed, as soon as a hybrid approach mode is instigated (set or engaged) both of this instigation and of deviations relating both to the first and second guidance modes of said instigated hybrid approach mode.

This makes it possible to obtain a simple and effective transition between the initial phase and the terminal phase of said approach phase.

In addition, the aircrew is immediately informed of lateral and vertical deviations, not only in respect of said first guidance mode for the initial phase which is being implemented at this time or which will very soon be implemented, but also in respect of said second guidance mode for said terminal phase which will not be implemented until the end of this initial phase. As a result, the crew can, as soon as the hybrid approach mode is instigated, check the information relating to said second guidance mode and thus anticipate its later application.

The device according to the present invention also displays other advantages. In particular:it avoids pilot action close to the ground and therefore reduces the stress and workload of the pilot near to ground level;it allows the procedure to harmonized (with the other types of approach) as far as the pilot is concerned in terms of approach selection, monitoring of approach parameters and setting the approach before the final approach point; andit allows a gentler approach and a gentler transition (between the RNP and xLS modes specified hereinbelow), and this makes for improved passenger and pilot comfort.

In a preferred embodiment, said control system, for example a multipurpose control display unit (“Multipurpose Control Display Unit” being a universally acknowledged English-language expression commonly abbreviated to MCDU) comprises a plurality of control means, for example push-buttons, each of which can be used to instigate one of a plurality of different hybrid approach modes. In this case, for preference, said control system comprises control means for respectively instigating hybrid approach modes each of which consists of:a first guidance mode allowing said required navigation performance (or RNP) to be observed; andrespectively one of the following second guidance modes: a precision approach mode, from a plurality of different precision approach modes, or a non-precision approach mode.

In the context of the present invention, the device according to the invention is able in particular to give consideration to the following precision approach modes:an instrument approach mode relating to an instrument landing system (“Instrument Landing System” being a universally acknowledged English-language expression often abbreviated to ILS);an instrument approach mode relating to a microwave landing system (“Microwave Landing System” being a universally acknowledged English-language expression often abbreviated to MLS); andan instrument approach mode relating to a GPS landing system (“IGPS” being a universally acknowledged abbreviation for the English-language expression “Global Positioning System”) of the GLS type (“GLS” being a universally recognized abbreviation for the English-language expression “GPS Landing System”).

In addition, a non-precision approach mode may be of the FLS type as described for example in Patents FR 2 852 683, FR-2 852 684 and FR-2 852 686.

Furthermore, in one particular embodiment, the device according to the invention is formed in such a way as to perform the operations relating to said initial phase also during a go-around phase that interrupts the approach phase in progress. A go-around phase such as this may be needed when a specific fault is detected or when the pilot is unable to get a visual fix on his bearings at the decision height.

Furthermore, advantageously, said display system comprises a navigation display (“Navigation Display” being a universally recognized English-language expression commonly abbreviated to ND) and a primary flight display (“Primary Flight Display” being a universally recognized English-language expression commonly abbreviated to PFD).

In addition, advantageously, said display system is formed in such a way as to differentiate between the displaying of information relating to the current guidance mode of said hybrid approach mode, and the displaying of information relating to the other guidance mode of said hybrid approach mode. This differentiation may, for example, be performed using different colors, different brightnesses and/or different graphics.

Furthermore, advantageously, said display system is formed in such a way as to be able to display:first auxiliary indication means relating to information (for example said required navigation performance) regarding said first guidance mode; andsecond auxiliary indication means relating to information (for example the identity of said second guidance mode, a frequency and a channel used by this second guidance mode) regarding said second guidance mode; and possiblythe position of lateral and vertical transition points.

Furthermore, in one particular embodiment, said calculation system comprises:a flight management system (“Flight Management System” being a universally acknowledged English-language expression often abbreviated to FMS) for determining said first lateral and vertical deviations; anda landing assistance multimode receiver (“Multimode Receiver” being a universally acknowledged English-language expression often abbreviated to MMR) for determining said lateral and vertical second deviations.

Furthermore, advantageously, said terminal phase begins:as far as lateral guidance is concerned, when the aircraft reaches a second lateral transition point at the earliest; andas far as vertical guidance is concerned, when the aircraft reaches a second vertical transition point at the earliest.

In such a case, advantageously:said navigation database comprises predetermined references of said second lateral and vertical transition points when the second guidance mode corresponds to a precision approach mode; and/orsaid calculation system directly calculates the references of said second lateral and vertical transition points when the second guidance mode corresponds to a non-precision approach mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The device1according to the invention and depicted schematically inFIG. 1is intended to assist with flying an aircraft A, particularly a transport airplane, during an approach phase PA with a view to landing on a runway2. To do this, said aircraft A is guided during this approach phase PA along a path T depicted schematically inFIGS. 2 and 3which relate to one particular example.

In the context of the present invention, said approach phase PA comprises:an initial phase P1defined between a transition point3(or “final approach point”) and at least one other transition point4, during which phase the aircraft A is guided according to a predetermined flight plan observing required navigation performance (“Required Navigation Performance” being a universally acknowledged English-language expression often abbreviated to RNP); anda terminal phase P2defined between the transition point4and the landing on the runway2, during which phase the aircraft A is guided along at least one line of approach L1depicted schematically inFIG. 2.

Said device1is of the type comprising:a collection5of information sources capable of supplying information relating to the aircraft A and particularly relating to its current position. To do this, said collection5may in particular comprise inertial reference systems and GPS sensors;a navigation database6specified hereinbelow;a calculation system7capable of determining:a flight path T1relative to said flight plan during said initial phase P1;first lateral and vertical deviations between the current position of the aircraft A and said flight path T1during said initial phase P1;said line of approach L1; andsecond lateral and vertical deviations between the current position of the aircraft A and said line of approach L1during said terminal phase P2;a guidance system8capable of assisting with guiding the aircraft A; anda display system9specified hereinbelow.

Said guidance system8comprises the following means which have not been specifically depicted:a calculation means which is intended in the usual way to determine flight reference data;at least one flight assistance means, for example an automatic pilot and/or a flight director which, on the basis of the flight reference data received from said calculation means determines the commands for flying the aircraft; andmeans of actuating controlled members such as, for example, control surfaces (rudder, ailerons, etc.) of the aircraft, and to which the flight commands thus determined are applied.

According to the invention, said device1additionally comprises at least one control system10, for example a multipurpose control display unit (“Multipurpose Control Display Unit” being a universally acknowledged English-language expression often abbreviated to MCDU) and/or a flight control unit (“Flight Control Unit” being the universally acknowledged English-language expression often abbreviated to FCU) which comprises a plurality of control means11A,11B, . . . ,11n. Each of said control means11A,11B,11nallows the pilot of the aircraft A to instigate a particular hybrid approach mode which comprises:a first guidance mode to guide the aircraft A laterally and vertically during said initial phase P1; anda second guidance mode to guide the aircraft A laterally and vertically during said terminal phase P2.

More specifically, said hybrid approach modes consist of:a first guidance mode in which said required navigation performance (RNP) can be observed in order in particular to keep the aircraft A in a flight lane CA which is delimited by lines28A and28B inFIG. 3; andrespectively one of the following second guidance modes:a precision approach mode from a plurality of different precision approach modes which use information received from the ground each time;a non-precision approach mode which uses only information available on board the aircraft A.

In the context of the present invention, the device1according to the invention may in particular give consideration to the following precision approach modes:an instrument approach mode relating to an instrument landing system (“Instrument Landing System” being a universally acknowledged English-language expression often abbreviated to ILS) as described for example in Patent FR 2 852 685;an instrument approach mode relating to a microwave landing system (“Microwave Landing System” being a universally acknowledged English-language expression often abbreviated to MLS),an instrument approach mode relating to a GPS landing system (GPS being the abbreviation for the universally acknowledged English-language expression “Global Positioning System”) of the GLS type (GLS being the abbreviation for the universally acknowledged English-language expression “GPS Landing System”).

Thus, the various hybrid approach modes can all be denoted in the form “RNP/xLS”, xLS in general representing one of the aforementioned approach modes ILS, MLS, GLS and FLS.

Furthermore, according to the invention:said calculation system7is formed in such a way as to determine, as soon as one of said control means11A,11B,11nof said control system10is actuated, both said first and second deviations (lateral and vertical) relating respectively to said first and second RNP and xLS guidance modes of said particular RNP/xLS hybrid approach mode thus instigated. Of course, said calculation system7determines these first and second deviations only from such time as the information needed to do this becomes available onboard the aircraft A. This is of particular relevance to the line of approach L1which is used to determine said second deviations and needs to be able to be detected from the aircraft A;said guidance system8is formed in such a way as to assist with guiding the aircraft A, if said control system10is actuated, both during said initial phase P1between said transition points3and4according to said first guidance mode, and during said terminal phase P2from said transition point4onward, according to said second guidance mode. The transition between said first and second guidance modes is performed automatically by said guidance system8; andsaid display system9is formed in such a way as to display, on at least one display screen12,13, as soon as said control system10is actuated, at least the following indication means (produced for example in the form of graphic symbols, alphanumeric captions, etc.) which have not been depicted:an indication means indicating said instigated hybrid RNP/xLS approach mode;an indication means indicating, as appropriate, at least the current guidance mode of said instigated hybrid approach mode; andindication means representative respectively of said first and second deviations (both lateral and vertical).

Furthermore, in one particular embodiment, the device1according to the invention is formed in such a way as to perform the operations relating to said initial phase P1in a similar way during a go-around phase P3(interrupting the approach phase in progress) which is depicted in broken line inFIG. 2. A go-around phase P3such as this may be needed when a specific fault is detected or when the pilot is unable to gain a visual fix on his bearings at a predetermined decision height.

Furthermore, said display system9comprises in particular a navigation display12(“Navigation Display” being a universally acknowledged English-language expression commonly abbreviated to ND) and a primary flight display13(“Primary Flight Display” being a universally acknowledged English-language expression commonly abbreviated to PFD). In addition, this display system9is formed in such a way as to differentiate between the display of information relating to the current guidance mode (for example said first guidance mode) of said hybrid approach mode, and display of information relating to the other guidance mode (for example said second guidance mode) of said hybrid approach mode. This differentiation may, for example, be made using different colors, different brightnesses and/or different graphics.

Furthermore, in one particular embodiment, said display system9is formed in such a way as to be able to display:first auxiliary indicating means relating to information (for example said required navigation performance) regarding said first guidance mode; andsecond auxiliary indication means relating to information (for example the identity of said second guidance mode, a frequency and a channel used by this second guidance mode) regarding said second guidance mode.

Furthermore, in one particular embodiment, said calculation system7comprises:a flight management system14(“Flight Management System” being a universally acknowledged English-language expression commonly abbreviated to FMS) which is intended to determine said first lateral and vertical deviations. This system14may be connected by links15,16,17,18and19to said navigation database6, to said collection5and to said systems10,9and8, respectively;a landing assistance multimode receiver20(“MultiMode Receiver” being a universally acknowledged English-language expression commonly abbreviated to MMR) which is intended to determine said second lateral and vertical deviations. This receiver20can be connected via links21,22and23to said systems14,9and8, respectively; anda guidance control means24, for example of the FGS type (FGS being the abbreviation for the English-language expression “Flight Guidance System”) which is intended to manage the various guidance modes, including the transitions. This means24may be connected by links25,26and27to said systems14,9and8respectively.

In the aforementioned embodiment, said flight management system14therefore determines, in the usual way, said first lateral and vertical deviations between the current position of the aircraft A and the flight path T1that meets the flight plan, particularly using said current position received from said collection5and using said flight plan received from said navigation database6. In addition, said landing assistance multimode receiver20determines said second lateral and vertical deviations between the current position of the aircraft A (on the path T2followed during the terminal phase P2) and the line of approach L1representative of said second guidance mode using said current position received from said collection5via the flight management system14and using said line of approach L1which is, for example, received from said flight management system14. In the example ofFIG. 2, the path T2actually followed is aligned with the line of approach L1, said second lateral and vertical deviations being very small. In a first embodiment, said single line of approach L1can be used to guide the aircraft A laterally and vertically making it possible to determine said second lateral and vertical deviations, whereas in a second embodiment said line of approach L1can be used to guide the aircraft A only vertically making it possible to determine said second vertical deviations. In this second embodiment, the aircraft A can be guided laterally with respect to a second line of approach (for example the line L2inFIG. 3) making it possible to determine said second lateral deviations.

It will be noted that:in the context of a precision approach, said line of approach L1is generally embodied by at least one transmitter located on the ground and is detected onboard the aircraft using at least one customary sensor which, for example, forms part of said receiver20; andin the context of a non-precision approach, said line of approach L1is calculated, in the usual way, by said flight management system14.

It will be noted that, in the context of the present invention, instigation of a particular hybrid approach mode (by actuating a control means11A,11B,11nof the control system10) will be considered to correspond:either to direct engagement of said hybrid approach mode;or to the setting of said hybrid approach mode which will automatically engage when other specific conditions are simultaneously met.

In a first alternative form of embodiment of said device1, provision may be made for:the flight management system14to supply the flight plan to the flight guidance system24;the collection5to supply the current position of the aircraft A to said flight guidance system24; andsaid flight guidance system24to calculate said first lateral and vertical deviations which it transmits to said systems8and9.

In this first alternative form, the other aforementioned functions are unchanged.

Furthermore, in a second alternative form, provision may be made for the collection5of information sources to supply the receiver20directly with the current position of the aircraft A.

It will be noted that in a preferred embodiment, said terminal phase P2begins, as depicted inFIG. 3:as far as lateral guidance is concerned, when the aircraft A reaches a lateral transition point4A at the earliest; andas far as vertical guidance is concerned, when the aircraft A reaches a vertical transition point4B at the earliest.

In situations such as this:during a precision approach mode said navigation database6contains predetermined references of said lateral and vertical transition points4A and4B, and these are used by the second guidance mode corresponding to this precision approach mode; andduring a non-precision approach, said calculation system7directly calculates the references of said lateral and vertical transition points4A and4B and these are used by the second guidance mode corresponding to this non-precision approach mode.

Thus, by virtue of the device1according to the invention:the transition between the first and second guidance modes (that is to say between the guidance relating respectively to said initial and terminal phases P1and P2) is performed automatically by the guidance system8. This makes it possible to obtain a simple and effective transition between the initial phase P1and the terminal phase P2of said approach phase PA; andthe crew of the aircraft A is informed, as soon as a hybrid approach mode is instigated (by setting or engagement) both of this instigation and of the deviations relating both to the first and second guidance modes of said instigated hybrid approach mode.

Thus, the crew of the aircraft A is immediately informed of lateral and vertical deviations not only of said first guidance mode for the initial phase P1which is being implemented at that moment in time (or which will very soon be implemented), but also of said second guidance mode for said terminal phase P2which will not be implemented until the end of this initial phase P1. As a result, the crew can, as soon as the hybrid approach mode is instigated, check the information relating to said second guidance mode and thus anticipate its later application.

The device1according to the invention also displays other advantages. In particular:it avoids pilot action close to the ground and therefore reduces the stress and workload of the pilot near to ground level;it allows the procedure to be harmonized (with the other types of approach) as far as the pilot is concerned in terms of approach selection, monitoring of approach parameters and setting the approach before the final approach point; andit allows a gentler approach and a gentler transition (between the RNP and xLS modes) and this leads to better comfort for the passengers and pilot.

One particular approach made by an aircraft A comprising an approach phase PA of the aforementioned type and a go-around phase P3, that is to say an approach without actually landing, is described hereinbelow. Of course, an approach such as this with a go-around is very rare in practice but it provides a good illustration of the various features of the present invention.

As depicted inFIGS. 2 and 3, the aircraft A is flying toward the transition point3(or “final approach point”) along a usual path T0, either according to a flight plan (managed mode) managed by the flight management system14, or following a reference value (selected mode). When the air traffic controller authorizes the crew of the aircraft A to begin their final approach in said approach phase PA, the pilot sets the chosen hybrid approach mode by action on the corresponding actuating means11A,11B,11nof the actuating system10. In the example concerned, the pilot selects an RNP/ILS approach. Of course, the same scenario remains valid for an RNP/GLS, an RNP/MLS or an RNP/FLS approach.

In response to this selection, the navigation display12displays the name of the selected hybrid approach, and the current RNP stipulations to be observed and these are, for example, displayed in the bottom and in the middle of this display12. A guidance error FTE may also be displayed, for example beside a symbol illustrating the aircraft A. In addition, the device1displays the RNP/xLS information (RNP/ILS in the example being considered) on the primary flight display13, but does not modify the guidance modes currently in use. This selection also leads to the displaying of the ILS line (the line of approach L1) on the navigation display12.

Thus, through simply actuating a control means11A,11B,11n, the device1according to the invention displays a plurality of pieces of information. This information includes, for example, the lateral and vertical deviations from the flight plan and from the line of approach L1, the frequency and the channel for the xLS, the identity of the xLS means, the distance to the runway2threshold2A, a course cross-marker on a heading scale, a lateral RNP scale and possibly a vertical RNP scale.

On arrival at point3, said first guidance mode of said instigated hybrid approach mode is automatically engaged and the second guidance mode for the terminal phase P2is automatically set.

The final approach continues until a common lateral/vertical transition point4(FIG. 2) or a lateral transition point4A like the one depicted inFIG. 3is reached. This lateral transition point4A is published on a map available to the crew and is coded in a navigation database6. From this point4A onward, the xLS precision (at 95%) is better than that required by the RNP (at 95%). It is therefore possible to switch to xLS guidance (second guidance mode). A customary LOC mode relating to this ILS guidance is then engaged and the lateral deviation scale hitherto displayed becomes a pure xLS scale. Information relating to the vertical plane remains unchanged.

Thereafter, when a vertical transition point4B (also published on the map available to the crew and also coded into the navigation database6) is reached, a GLIDE mode relating to said second guidance mode (ILS guidance) is engaged and the vertical deviation scale becomes a pure xLS scale.

In the usual way, in this example, the LOC mode is intended to guide the aircraft A laterally along a lateral alignment beam (or LOC beam), for example the beam L2inFIG. 3which illustrates the central longitudinal axis of the runway2, and the GLIDE mode is intended to guide the aircraft A vertically along a vertical guidance beam (or GLIDE beam) for example the beam L1inFIG. 2.

The two lateral and vertical transition points4A,4B (or the aforementioned single lateral/vertical transition point4) represent points of engagement of the (lateral and vertical) modes of the xLS guidance, at the earliest opportunity. In point of fact, they may be engaged later according to various criteria (distance between aircraft A and threshold2A, intercept angle, speed, etc.).

If, at a predetermined decision height, the pilot of the aircraft A is unable to obtain a visual fix on the references needed for landing on the runway2, or if a fault forces him to go around, then the lateral guidance mode of following the flight plan cuts in and the aircraft A implements a phase P3as depicted inFIG. 2. In addition, deviations from the flight plan managed by said flight management system14and the RNP scale (if the go-around procedure is RNP coded) are displayed again. The xLS information remains displayed as long as it is valid (as long as the signal is received from the ground station) because the xLS means remains selected.