Abstract:
The present invention relates to a system and a process for providing improved operational safety for aircraft. The system/process of the instant invention utilizes real-time, two-way transmission of voice and/or text and flight-critical data between an aircraft and a ground-based computer workstation, where transmitted information monitored and acted upon as necessary by a qualified flight safety person, e.g., a appropriately trained individual (including but not limited to a safety pilot or other person trained in safety procedures). This safety person can perform a number of functions that would enhance flight safety, such as reducing the workload of the primary pilot(s), assisting in the performance of routine checklists, monitoring communications with air traffic control, and advising the pilot in the aircraft on how to handle any in-flight situations that may arise. By providing many if not all of the advantages of a second or third pilot in the aircraft cockpit without imposing additional weight or space requirements on the aircraft, the system/process of the instant invention can increase flight safety while reducing the associated costs.

Description:
PRIORITY AND RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/531,318 filed on Dec. 19, 2003, entitled “A System and Process for Improved Aircraft Operational Safety,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a system and a process for providing improved operational safety for aircraft. The system/process of the instant invention utilizes real-time, one- or preferably two-way transmission and communication of voice, text, and flight-critical data between an aircraft and a ground-based computer workstation, where it is monitored and acted upon as necessary by a appropriately trained individual (including but not limited to a appropriately trained individual (including but not limited to a safety pilot or other person trained in safety procedures) or other person trained in safety procedures). During certain phases of flight, the appropriately trained individual (including but not limited to a appropriately trained individual (including but not limited to a safety pilot or other person trained in safety procedures) or other person trained in safety procedures) may additionally interact with the pilot flying in a “virtual co-pilot” capacity. By providing many if not all of the advantages of an additional pilot in the aircraft cockpit without imposing additional weight or space requirements on the aircraft, the system/process of the instant invention can improve flight safety. 
     BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
     According to recent reports from the United States Department of Transportation, the NTSB, the FAA, and aviation industry groups, the leading causes of both commercial and private aircraft accidents include: Pilot decision making errors, loss of control, weather encounters, and controlled flight into terrain. The largest number of accidents occur during the departure and landing phases of a flight. These accidents and incidents occur both with multi-pilot crews, and far more frequently with single pilot aircraft operations. 
     Pilot error can be roughly classified into two forms. The first form is a failure of the pilot or flight crew to perform an act that is appropriate and necessary based on the aircraft&#39;s condition or status. This error usually occurs when the crew lacks critical information or fails to recognize the signs and symptoms of a developing hazard that are present in the flight data available to them. The second form of pilot error is the commission of an act that is inappropriate for a given situation. In this latter case, the pilot usually believes that the action is proper, but this belief is based either on inexperience or a lack of accurate information. 
     A third cause of accidents, particularly with less experienced single pilot operations could be considered “pilot overload” rather than “pilot error.” These situations occur when the pilot in command becomes saturated with tasks, information, and things requiring attention to the point of cognitive overload. This can result in the omission of necessary actions, complete inaction, or inappropriate action. These situations typically occur during critical phases of flight, such as takeoff, landing, or during a weather encounter, and often do not resolve themselves successfully. 
     The occurrence of any of these situations by the flight crew can create a chain of events that, if not broken, results in an accident. One effort previously implemented to reduce aircraft accidents, or at least to a better understanding of the factors contributing to their cause, is the use of a Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR). Crash-resistant DFDRs are now installed in most commercial aircraft. However, the data they record is rarely accessed until after a crash has occurred. Thus, the collection and recording of in-flight data, while a boon to determining the cause of a crash, has not led to a marked decrease in aircraft accidents. 
     A better solution to this problem may be to provide additional personnel to monitor the information normally stored in the DFDR as it becomes available, and to assist the primary pilot in the evaluation of information, decision making, performing cross checks, checklists, and task sharing teamwork. In aviation this is referred to as “cockpit resource management,” and is an industry-wide promoted means of training and performing to improve safety. Unfortunately, providing additional personnel is costly. Moreover, the presence of additional personnel on board may be limited by space and weight constraints of a particular airframe. For example, there are growing numbers of small high performance aircraft specifically designed to be operated by a single pilot. The accident record for single-pilot operations is significantly higher than for two-pilot operations, resulting in delays in flight-worthiness certification of single-pilot aircraft and increased insurance costs, which limit the use of these types of airplanes in commercial settings. 
     Over the past thirty years, numerous systems have been proposed or developed to improve flight safety. One such system is the Remote Aircraft Flight Recorder and Advisory Telemetry (or RAFT) System. This system, described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,890,079, contemplates the use of real-time radio transmission of aircraft data to a central ground station, where the data may be monitored and safely recorded at a remote location. This information then could be analyzed in conjunction with archived data, flight control data, weather data, topological data, global positioning data and manufacturers&#39; data to allow identification of maintenance problems, on-ground safety advisories and in-flight safety advisories. This system, however, does not provide for a trained pilot to monitor and analyze the transmitted information in real-time and supply recommendations to the flight crew, thereby acting as a appropriately trained individual (including but not limited to a appropriately trained individual (including but not limited to a safety pilot or other person trained in safety procedures) or other person trained in safety procedures) or “virtual co-pilot.” 
     Other aircraft-related systems also contemplate real-time radio transmission of aircraft data to a central ground station. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,904,724 describes a method and apparatus for the piloting of an aircraft by a remotely-located pilot using a three-dimensional flight simulator. In this system, data on the aircraft&#39;s location, attitude and other operating conditions are transmitted to a remote pilot station, wherein they are combined with pre-stored information concerning terrain, manmade structures, etc. to generate a three-dimensional simulation of the environment surrounding the plane. The remotely-located pilot reacts to this view and interacts with the flight controls to pilot the aircraft. This system does not contemplate the use of a remotely located pilot to assist or augment the pilot or flight crew who are on board the plane being controlled, nor does this system propose remote piloting for commercial or private aviation applications. 
     A third system for improving aircraft operational safety, described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,641,087, also contemplates the transmission of flight-critical data from an aircraft in flight to a remote ground station. This system is designed primarily to allow remote override of flight controls and activation of the plane&#39;s autopiloting system to achieve a safe landing in the event of a hijacking. In this system, an onboard computer “manager” takes control of aircraft flight systems, deactivates on-board control of the autopilot system, and instructs the autopilot to fly the aircraft to a safe landing once an override input, such as activation of a panic button or receipt of a predetermined override signal from a remote guidance facility, is received. The manager transmits flight condition data to the remote guidance facility where humans or computers determine optimal flight path and landing instructions for the aircraft. These instructions then are relayed back to the manager, which then forwards the information to the autopilot. Like the RAFT system described above, the anti-hijacking system of U.S. Pat. No. 6,641,087 does not provide for a trained pilot to routinely monitor and analyze the transmitted flight data in real-time and supply recommendations to the pilot, and functionally interact with the pilot in a “CRM” role, thereby acting as a appropriately trained individual (including but not limited to a appropriately trained individual (including but not limited to a safety pilot or other person trained in safety procedures) or other person trained in safety procedures). 
     In contrast to these previous systems, the instant invention contemplates the use of a appropriately trained individual (including but not limited to a appropriately trained individual (including but not limited to a safety pilot or other person trained in safety procedures) or other person trained in safety procedures) at a remote ground workstation to monitor, via satellite communications or any other real-time, two-way data and voice and/or text communication link, primary flight data and voice and/or text communications from an aircraft in flight. This information may be combined with air traffic data, weather, airport and runway conditions, terrain features, aircraft operating parameters, checklists, etc. to create a simulated instrument panel or even a virtual cockpit or airspace environment. The appropriately trained individual (including but not limited to a appropriately trained individual (including but not limited to a safety pilot or other person trained in safety procedures) or other person trained in safety procedures) then may use the available information to assist the pilot in command of the aircraft with those tasks necessary for the safe, efficient and convenient operation of the aircraft. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a system and a process for providing improved operational safety for aircraft. The system/process of the instant invention utilizes real-time, two-way transmission of voice, text messaging, and flight-critical data between an aircraft and a ground-based computer workstation, where it is monitored and acted upon as necessary by a appropriately trained individual (including but not limited to a appropriately trained individual (including but not limited to a safety pilot or other person trained in safety procedures) or other person trained in safety procedures). This appropriately trained individual (including but not limited to a appropriately trained individual (including but not limited to a safety pilot or other person trained in safety procedures) or other person trained in safety procedures) can perform a number of functions that would enhance flight safety, such as flight planning, reducing the workload of the primary pilot(s) during crucial phases of the flight, assisting in the performance of routine checklist tasks, monitoring communications with air traffic control, advising the pilot in the aircraft on how to avoid potential collisions or handle any other emergencies that may arise, or pre-screening general advisories transmitted by air-traffic control, weather services, or other sources to ensure that they are relevant to the particular aircraft with which the appropriately trained individual (including but not limited to a appropriately trained individual (including but not limited to a safety pilot or other person trained in safety procedures) or other person trained in safety procedures) is in communication. By providing many if not all of the advantages of a second or third pilot in the aircraft cockpit and bringing into play additional information from outside the airplane, without imposing additional weight or space requirements on the aircraft, the system/process of the instant invention can maximize flight safety while minimizing associated costs. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1 : Schematic representation of the Appropriately trained individual (including but not limited to a safety pilot or other person trained in safety procedures) system. 
         FIG. 2 : Schematic representation of the Aircraft Integrated Avionics System. 
         FIG. 3 : Schematic representation of the Appropriately trained individual (including but not limited to a safety pilot or other person trained in safety procedures) process. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a appropriately trained individual (including but not limited to a safety pilot or other person trained in safety procedures) System (SPX) that utilizes a unique combination of existing technologies to provide, in a practical manner, all the benefits of a second pilot, and/or a third pilot monitor, without the need for a pilot to be physically present in the aircraft. This system/process is designed to provide critical flight path monitoring, experienced advice, pilot interaction, flight planning, and additional safety information during the crucial phases of flight (e.g., take-off and landing). These functions can be accomplished by tapping into the shared data stream of an integrated avionics suite  202  in the aircraft  122 , and communicating to a ground-based computer workstation (SPX workstation)  112  specific flight-critical data  208  and voice and/or text  214  over a communication channel  104  utilizing a communications satellite  102 , a ground-based communication facility  106 , and a ground-based communication network  108 . The information then may be displayed on the SPX workstation display  116 , where a trained and experienced appropriately trained individual (including but not limited to a safety pilot or other person trained in safety procedures) (an “SP”) or “virtual co-pilot”  302  would monitor the aircraft&#39;s data  208 , such as speed, position, attitude, configuration, altitude, and rates of change, etc., and have flight safety information  120  available such as air traffic, weather, freezing levels, runway conditions, or other information that may effect the safety and efficiency of the flight. 
     The SP  302  would be in two-way voice and/or text communication  214  with the flight crew via the aircraft&#39;s intercom, and have the ability to send text messages  216  to the flight crew. The SP  302  also would be able to hear and monitor aircraft radio transmission and reception  212 , such as instructions and communications from air traffic control as if the SP  302  was in the airplane. Any undesired trends, missed communications, or constructive coaching would be noted and communicated to the pilot in command (PIC) before the situation became a safety issue. The PIC and the SP would have a constructive, goal-oriented interface until the safe conclusion of the flight, or, if preferred, until reaching a stable cruise altitude. At the point where the flight is in cruise or has landed, the SP would disengage with the aircraft being monitored  112  and connect with the next aircraft about to enter a critical phase of flight. If the PIC at any time required assistance, advice, or information, the SP  302  could be contacted to provide the necessary help or services. 
     As a result of the SPX system/process, a single pilot&#39;s workload is greatly reduced, critical flight phases are monitored by a second pilot, and a wealth of additional reference data is brought into the loop for takeoff and landing phases. The SP  302  performs like a coach-instructor, prepping, reviewing and offering guidance in a peer-to-peer, team approach to the flight. The SP  302 , armed with the flight safety information  120  available, such as weather, traffic, freezing levels, frequencies, and navigation monitoring contribute to an even higher level of safety than can be achieved with a second pilot physically present in the cockpit. Application of the SPX program to multiple crew operations also will increase the safety margin and instill a professional and task-oriented demeanor during critical flight phases. 
     The SPX system/process will be especially useful in its applications to the operation of the new very light jets (“VLJs”\) (e.g., Eclipse, Mustang, Adam A700, Avocet, etc.) in personal and air-taxi operations, where safety, financial and payload issues will become more pronounced. Without an SPX-like system/process, single pilot operations may not be affordably insurable, and will be statistically less safe overall. Adding a second pilot adds weight, reduces cabin volume, adds substantial overhead, and removes revenue seats. An SPX system/process frees weight and space, contributes more expertise and flight critical information, and eliminates the expense of the second pilot. The pilot services also may be provided when needed most, for example during the critical phases of take-off, departure, and approach. 
     Additional services such as pre-flight planning, route selection, passenger services (arrangement of ground transportation, lodging, etc.), weather briefings, and the like could be offered to the pilot through the SPX service in order to bring all the benefits of quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) to the flight, even in the case of a single pilot. Customer services can be provided to the passengers through the same voice and/or text link during the flight, eliminating the distractions to the pilot, and adding to the convenience and comfort of the passengers. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the SPX system/process would function as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 . In  FIG. 2 , the aircraft to be monitored  122  by the SPX system/process is equipped with one or more of the following devices: 1) an integrated avionics and data bus such as ARINC 429 or other integrated avionics systems  202  known to those of ordinary skill in the art; 2) a data-sampling device  204  that transmits specific flight-data  208  from select avionics and on-board aircraft sensors  206 ; and 3) an audio panel transceiver  210 , which allows the SP  302  to hear all aircraft radio reception and transmission  212 , permits two-way intercom communications  214  and text messaging  216  between the PIC and the SP  302 . In addition, the aircraft to be monitored  122  should have Satellite Communication (SATCOM) simultaneous voice and/or text and data transmit/receive capability. 
     The aircraft data  208  and the two-way voice and/or text communications  214  from the aircraft to be monitored  122  are transmitted in real time to the SPX workstation  112  via a communications satellite  102 , a communication channel  104 , a ground-based communication facility  106 , and a ground-based communication network  108 . One non-limiting example of a suitable satellite communication network is the Iridium low earth orbit satellite network. These communication channels have the advantages of worldwide coverage, high speed, and high reliability. If desired, these communications systems also have the capacity to carry transmissions that are encrypted so that they are resistant to unauthorized eavesdropping or tampering (e.g., hacking). The information is then relayed via high-speed ground-based communications to the SPX service provider facilities  110 . 
     At an SPX service provider facility  110 , the voice and/or text and data stream is routed to one or more SPX support personnel  302  for display on the SPX workstation display  116 , and transmission of voice and/or text  214 , aircraft radio reception and transmission  212 , and flight data  208  via the SPX workstation  112 . The SPX workstation  112  receives flight data  208 , such as aircraft flight, position, and configuration data, as well as two-way voice and/or text communication  214  and text messaging  216  with the pilot. The SPX workstation display  116  replicates airborne displays for flight monitoring, along with flight safety information  120  such as collision avoidance data, weather, airport and runway conditions, terrain, winds, aircraft operating parameters, checklists and other data. The SP  302  functions and interacts with the PIC in a co-pilot and appropriately trained individual (including but not limited to a safety pilot or other person trained in safety procedures) capacity. 
     The SPX workstation  112  contains a remote processor  114  that runs system software  118  that permits aircraft configuration, performance, location, and flight data  208  to be displayed on the SPX workstation display  116 , or in a simulated instrument panel. The SP then may interact with the simulated instrument panel and/or voice and/or text transmissions to monitor the aircraft&#39;s primary flight data  208  such as altitude, airspeed, heading, attitude, landing gear position, flap position and other such data. 
     In an alternative embodiment, aircraft flight data  208  also could be displayed in a virtual environment that depicts the aircraft in relation to nearby terrain, other air or ground traffic, and which takes into account prevailing weather or visibility conditions. This type of virtual simulator would provide the SP with additional information and enhanced situational awareness, which may be used to advise the PIC of any deviations from the preferred flight path, or to advise the PIC of any potential conflicts. 
     Aircraft-and operator-specific checklists, performance data, and operational parameters also may be presented to the SP on demand. During certain phases of flight, the SP assists the PIC with the completion of checklist tasks and preparation for the next phase of flight. Certain other tasks, such as landing gear extension, can be confirmed with the PIC verbally as well as confirmed via a specific data feed from the aircraft  122 . 
     If the aircraft to be monitored  122  is single-pilot certified, the SP shares the workload with the PIC, and also may monitor the activities of the PIC in much the same way as would an onboard co-pilot, but having the advantage of the additional information resources available through the SPX workstation. If the aircraft  122  is certified for a crew of two or more, the SP serves as an additional pilot, with a primary mission of ensuring flight safety, who provides flight planning, routing, and situational awareness functions in addition to those provided by the on-board crew. 
     The SPX workstation also would provide utilities to aid the PIC in flight planning, both before the flight and during the flight. For example, the SP could perform all the flight planning and flight plan filing duties for the pilot, and then verify the clearance with the pilot during the pre-start phase of the flight. If changing weather, fuel, or traffic conditions affect the planned route, the SP could provide alternate routes or landing planning while the flight is en route. This workload-sharing type of service allows the PIC to concentrate on direct flying duties rather than potentially distracting (“heads-down”) administrative duties. 
     Two-way intercom voice and/or text communication  214  allows for a free flow of verbal information between the PIC and the SP  302 , as well as allowing the SP  302  to monitor air radio reception  212 , such as Air Traffic Control communication, and confirm the instructions with the pilot either through two-way communication  214  or text messaging  216 . These activities again mirror established pilot monitoring activities for operations with a co-pilot on-board. 
     Text messaging  216  from the SP  302  to the PIC, using simple data transmission and a text display device integrated into the aircraft avionics system  202 , allows communication with the PIC during times of saturated aircraft radio reception  212  from the air traffic control radio transmission. The PIC would be able to confirm the receipt of such messages by an electronic signal, confirmation button, or voice and/or text command as part of the aircraft avionics system  202 . 
     The SPX process is shown in  FIG. 3 . During the pre-flight phase  304 , the PIC initiates contact with the SPX system/process, and may request, among other services, assistance with flight planning, calculation of fuel load, information regarding weather conditions, and performance of pre-flight checklist tasks. 
     From pre-flight  304  through cruise  308 , the SP  302  is connected, via satellite communications or any other real-time, data  208  and two-way voice and/or text communication link  214 , with the aircraft  122 , so that aircraft data  208 , including performance data, configuration data, location, and primary flight data may be continuously transmitted to the SPX workstation  112 , along with full duplex voice and/or text communication  214 . 
     At the SPX workstation  112 , the SP  302  monitors primary flight data  208 , voice and/or text aircraft radio communications  212 , and aircraft configuration in much the same way a co-pilot would if on-board the aircraft. The SP  302  also may review the flight plan and participate in the performance of checklist tasks. The SP  302  can coordinate flight data  208  received from the aircraft  122  with flight safety information  120 , such as weather, Air Traffic Control, advisories from the aircraft manufacturer, and other available information. 
     SPX-provided services may be obtained by the PIC during critical phases of flight or during other phases of the flight as needed or desired. For example, monitoring by the SP may occur during departure and climb  306  to cruising altitude, with the SP monitoring aircraft configuration, air traffic, and weather conditions, and assisting the PIC with performance of the climb and cruise checklist tasks. At cruise altitude  308 , the PIC may request assistance from the SP regarding en route weather conditions, alternate landing options, etc. At some predetermined point prior to the initial descent  310 , the PIC may re-establish communications and a data link with the SPX system/process. The SP  302  then may provide descent and approach monitoring, assist in the performance of landing checklist tasks, and/or advise the PIC regarding runway, air traffic and weather conditions. After landing, the SP  302  may assist in the performance of post-flight  312  checklist tasks, may arrange ground transportation or lodging services, or may facilitate the planning and execution of the next leg of the flight. 
     A variety of technologies presently exist that may be employed to perform the various component functions that comprise the SPX system/process. For example, integrated aircraft avionics systems  202  using a shared data bus that could be employed in the SPX system/process include, but are not limited to, the Garmin G 1000 and ARINC 429 avionics packages. Reliable, real-time, two-way communications systems  214  to be employed could include, but are not limited to, satellite communications systems such as the Iridium system. Computer workstation flight analysis hardware  112  and software  118  devices could include the SimAuthor workstation system. In addition to these specific examples, the artisan of ordinary skill would recognize that these components could be readily replaced by a variety of equivalents to perform the functions described herein for the SPX system/process. Moreover, the instant invention contemplates that additional technologies and standards will be developed that will improve and enhance the communication and interaction between the PIC and the SP; such technologies and standards also may be incorporated into the SPX system/process. For example, certain technological enhancements may enable the SP  302  to perform additional functions in the airplane, such as changing radio frequencies, programming a flight management system, or even potentially controlling the aircraft in the event of pilot incapacitation. 
     Non-limiting examples of aircraft operations to which the SPX system/process may be applied include, but are not limited to, air charter operations, part  91  corporate operations, owner-operated aircraft, night freight services, and fractional aircraft operations. The SPX system/process also may be implemented in situations where modern avionics systems are being retrofitted onto older aircraft. 
     The various references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
     The provision herein of certain preferred embodiments and teaching examples is without prejudice to the applicant&#39;s right to practice and claim the full scope of the present invention as embodied in other or alternate embodiments, and the examples of the specification will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art as not limiting the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the below claims.